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Spatial simulation of forest road effects on soil erosion after fire
  • Longxi Cao,
  • William Elliot,
  • Jonathan Long
Longxi Cao
Chengdu University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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William Elliot
USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station
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Jonathan Long
USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station
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Abstract

Post-fire managers throughout the world use predictive models to estimate potential erosion risks to aid in evaluating downstream impacts of increased runoff and erosion, and to target critical areas within a fire for applying mitigation practices. Erosion prediction can be complicated by forest road networks. Using GIS technology and a soil erosion model, this study evaluated the effect of roads on erosion and sediment yield following a wildfire, and whether the predictive models were providing reasonable results. The GeoWEPP model was used to simulate onsite erosion and offsite sediment delivery before and after fire disturbance. A 2-m resolution DEM was used as the terrain layer. Erosion rates in excess of 4 Mg ha-1 yr-1 were predicted mainly from the moderate and high severity burn areas. Roads influenced both flow path and sub-catchment delineations, affecting the spatial distribution of sediment detachment and transport. Through that influence, roads tended to reduce estimated erosion on slopes below the roads, but road fillslopes and steep channels were areas of significant increases in erosion risks. Measured deposition amounts along roads and in sediment basins were similar to predicted amounts. The results confirm that road prisms, culverts and road ditches greatly influence sedimentation processes after wildfire, and they present opportunities to detain eroded sediments before they reach downstream water bodies.
17 Jun 2020Submitted to Hydrological Processes
19 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
19 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
19 Jun 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
28 Jul 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Sep 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
04 Nov 20201st Revision Received
05 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
05 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
05 Nov 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
14 Feb 20212nd Revision Received
15 Feb 2021Submission Checks Completed
15 Feb 2021Assigned to Editor
15 Feb 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
13 Mar 2021Editorial Decision: Accept