Effects of fire disturbance on forest hydrology

Shu-ren, Yao

doi:10.1007/bf02857863

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…For example, the direct effects of wildfire include plant mortality and thus exert adverse impacts on vegetation productivity, consequently leading to a decrease in carbon uptake and stocks (Lenihan et al, 2008;Dore et al, 2010;Lee et al, 2015). Wildfires alter the watershed hydrologic processes through reducing vegetation canopy interception, transpiration, and infiltration rate (Yao, 2003;Neary et al, 2005;Bond-Lamberty et al, 2009;Brookhouse et al, 2013;Nolan et al, 2014Nolan et al, , 2015. As an important natural disturbance, droughts generally increase vapor pressure gradient between leaves and atmosphere and thus cause stress on plant hydraulic systems (Anderegg et al, 2012;Reichstein et al, 2013).…”

Section: Uncertaintiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Projecting water yield and ecosystem productivity across the United States by linking an ecohydrological model to WRF dynamically downscaled climate data

Sun

Cohen

et al. 2016

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. Quantifying the potential impacts of climate change on water yield and ecosystem productivity is essential to developing sound watershed restoration plans, and ecosystem adaptation and mitigation strategies. This study links an ecohydrological model (Water Supply and Stress Index, WaSSI) with WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting Model) using dynamically downscaled climate data of the HadCM3 model under the IPCC SRES A2 emission scenario. We evaluated the future (2031-2060) changes in evapotranspiration (ET), water yield (Q) and gross primary productivity (GPP) from the baseline period of 1979-2007 across the 82 773 watersheds (12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code level) in the coterminous US (CONUS). Across the CONUS, the future multi-year means show increases in annual precipitation (P ) of 45 mm yr −1 (6 %), 1.8 • C increase in temperature (T ), 37 mm yr −1 (7 %) increase in ET, 9 mm yr −1 (3 %) increase in Q, and 106 gC m −2 yr −1 (9 %) increase in GPP. We found a large spatial variability in response to climate change across the CONUS 12-digit HUC watersheds, but in general, the majority would see consistent increases all variables evaluated. Over half of the watersheds, mostly found in the northeast and the southern part of the southwest, would see an increase in annual Q (> 100 mm yr −1 or 20 %). In addition, we also evaluated the future annual and monthly changes of hydrology and ecosystem productivity for the 18 Water Resource Regions (WRRs) or two-digit HUCs. The study provides an integrated method and example for comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of climate change on watershed water balances and ecosystem productivity at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Results may be useful for policy-makers and land managers to formulate appropriate watershed-specific strategies for sustaining water and carbon sources in the face of climate change.

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Section: Uncertaintiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Projecting water yield and ecosystem productivity across the United States by linking an ecohydrological model to WRF dynamically downscaled climate data

Sun

Cohen

et al. 2016

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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“…As well as affecting the vegetation, and therefore transpiration and throughfall, wildfire can also alter important soil properties that can have implications for the water cycle [15]. Commonly reported changes after a fire include an increase in peak flows and storm flows and a severe reduction in baseflow, baseflow recession, and low flow [16,17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Analysis of the Effects of Large Wildfires on the Hydrology of Three Small Catchments in Central Chile Using Tritium-Based Measurements and Hydrological Metrics

et al. 2022

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Wildfires are an important disturbance affecting catchments’ soil and hydrological processes within. Wildfires are predicted to increase in both frequency and severity under climate change. Here, we present measurements of tritium (3H) in surface water of three streams before and after the ‘las Máquinas’ megafire of January 2017 in central Chile and streamflow metrics. Mean transit times (MTTs) of water were calculated in three coastal catchments with the Mediterranean climate type, covered by native forest, a mixture of native forest and Pinus radiata D. Don, and P. radiata. Lumped parameter models (LPMs) were used to obtain MTTs. Tritium activities from 2012 to 2018 ranged from 0.597 to 0.927 Tritium Units (TU), with the lowest TU activity in 2018. These 3H concentrations indicated water ages from 5 to 30 years. Following the fire, peak flows and baseflow have increased in two catchments but decreased in the third. Even though we have seen changes in the hydrological responses within the three catchments, pre- and post-fire MTT values were not significantly different. Therefore, there is no conclusive evidence of hydrological changes at the groundwater level due to wildfire at this early stage. However, since the MTT ranges from 5 to 30 years, it is likely that more time is required for the changes in the hydrograph to be clearly reflected in the tritium signal even though there are noticeable changes in streamflow metrics such as runoff and baseflow. Within the following years from this study, a sampling schedule to continue to investigate both the long-term drought and the effect of wildfire on these catchments will be maintained.

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The effects of large-scale forest disturbances on hydrology – An overview with special emphasis on karst aquifer systems

Vilhar

Kermavnar

Kozamernik

et al. 2022

Earth-Science Reviews

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Effects of fire disturbance on forest hydrology

Cited by 8 publications

References 20 publications

Projecting water yield and ecosystem productivity across the United States by linking an ecohydrological model to WRF dynamically downscaled climate data

Projecting water yield and ecosystem productivity across the United States by linking an ecohydrological model to WRF dynamically downscaled climate data

An Analysis of the Effects of Large Wildfires on the Hydrology of Three Small Catchments in Central Chile Using Tritium-Based Measurements and Hydrological Metrics

The effects of large-scale forest disturbances on hydrology – An overview with special emphasis on karst aquifer systems

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