Sediment and organic matter transfer following bushfires in the Blue Mountains, Australia

摘要

The fire regime in eucalypt forest and woodland in Australia has changed over the last 200 years from being characterized by frequent low intensity burns, to generally less frequent but higher intensity fires. Spatial variability in the transfer of sediment, organic matter and leaf litter was monitored on 10 plots for 6 months following fires of high, moderate and low intensity. Sediment and organic matter movement was substantially higher on intensely and moderately burnt areas than on unburnt (low fire intensity) areas. Leaf litter was recorded in largest amounts on moderately burnt areas where additional post-fire leaf fall from singed vegetation occurred following strong winds. Fire intensity is important in contributing to spatial variability in the post-fire transfer of sediment, organic matter and leaf litter. Burnt vegetation may be temporarily retained in on-slope litter dams and subsequently incorporated into bench or flood plain deposits within channels.