Progress in assessing the impact of fire and water repellency on hillslopes

Abstract

ABSTRACT The biologic, hydrologic, and geomorphic effects of wildfire are complex and three dimensional, covering not only the burned surface but also extending down into the soil. Increasing recognition of the impact of climate change and shifting land-use patterns on the frequency and scale of wildfires has increased the level of concern and research into the impact of fire on landscapes. In this chapter, we (1) review the environmental factors that control the behavior of wildfire; (2) provide an assessment of the methods and challenges associated with evaluations of the role of water repellency in short- and longer-term postfire hillslope impacts and recovery rates; (3) discuss the utilization of a recently developed method for assessing postfire water repellency on hillslopes involving high-frequency ground-penetrating radar (HFGPR); and (4) note emerging methods available to help advance our understanding of the impact of fire and water repellency on hillslope biologic, hydrologic, and geomorphic processes that affect ecosystems.