HR: 0800h
AN: H51C-0366    [Abstracts]
TI: Wildfire-Induced Changes in the Physico-Chemical Properties of Soils, and Their Implication in Watershed and Ecosystem Recovery.
AU: * Nation, H E
EM: liepzink@yahoo.com
AF: California State University, Los Angeles., Deparment of Geological Sciences. 5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90032 United States
AU: Lopez, S R
EM: ibeatnessa@yahoo.com
AF: University of California, Los Angeles., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. 5732C Boelter Hall , Los Angeles, CA 90095 United States
AU: Monterrosa, A
EM: atmonterrosa@yahoo.com
AF: California State University, Los Angeles., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. 5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90032 United States
AU: Khachikian, C S
EM: ckhachi@calstatela.edu
AF: California State University, Los Angeles., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. 5151 State University Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90032 United States
AU: Rademacher, L K
EM: lrademacher@pacific.edu
AF: University of the Pacific, Department of Geosciences, 3601 Pacific Avenue., Stockton, CA 95211 United States
AU: Hogue, T S
EM: thogue@seas.ucla.edu
AF: University of California, Los Angeles., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. 5732C Boelter Hall , Los Angeles, CA 90095 United States
AB: The macro effects wildfires have on ecosystems and watersheds range from increased erosion and weathering rates to variations in the distribution of water among various flowpaths. The end results often have negative effects on wildlife ecosystems and people living near the urban-wildland interface. Yet, all these effects are traceable to alterations in the physico-chemical properties of the affected underlying soil. Little is known of the wildfire-induced changes to these properties, their post fire-event behavior, and their role in watershed and ecosystem recovery. The present study will contribute to an initial database that will establish the physico-chemical properties in soils from pre to post fire events, and track these changes on temporal and spatial scales. This study will also help in understanding the function soil chemistry and behavior plays in ecosystem and watershed the recovery. Preliminary results tend to corroborate observed associations between soil moisture, permeability and soil alteration. The possible ramifications this study will have in areas of resource recovery and disaster planning are significant and thus merit substantial consideration.
DE: 0330 Geochemical cycles (1030)
DE: 0850 Geoscience education research
DE: 1625 Geomorphology and weathering (0790, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1886)
DE: 1865 Soils (0486)
SC: Hydrology [H]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005