Thesis
Multiple wildfire disturbances amplify seasonal moisture stress in a moist, mixed-conifer montane ecosystem
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2018
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/103322
Abstract
Wildfire is an important ecosystem function in many forested landscapes, promoting resilience and biodiversity, but it also causes significant disturbances to forest soils and hydrology. Alterations to soil structure and fire-induced hydrophobicity can often lead to significant water-stress during summer drought in seasonally dry environments. To asses near surface soil moisture dynamics and its relation to surface cover over the course of the dry season on hillslopes recovering from recent fire we compared soil moisture measurements across a gradient of burn histories. We monitored soil moisture at 15 and 50cm and conducted periodic electromagnetic induction surveys in four areas with different burn histories aimed at sensing moisture differences. Soil moisture drydown was rapid, reaching permanent wilting point 2-3 weeks after snow disappearance. The rate of soil drying was relatively indistinguishable between burned plots of varying burn histories, but all burned plots dried significantly faster than an unburned patch of forest. With the return of precipitation in October, apparent conductivity in the burned soils remained relatively constant, with the exception of the plot affected by recurrent fire whose apparent conductivity decreased. These observations suggest a persistence of fire induced hydrophobicity. Soil moisture was correlated with surface cover, with the highest moisture contents occurring beneath dense plant cover and coarse woody debris.
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Details
- Title
- Multiple wildfire disturbances amplify seasonal moisture stress in a moist, mixed-conifer montane ecosystem
- Creators
- Gregory Daniel Clark
- Contributors
- Kevan B. Moffett (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAHNRS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525078301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis