Measuring Carbon and Nitrogen Eroded From Burned Forests In The Western U.S

Post-wildfire upland landscapes and downstream aquatic resources are influenced by carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) losses due to soil erosion. As opposed to bulk soil erosion, few studies have quantified C and N losses after severe wildfire. We measured erosion of C and N for four to six years following eight wildfires in the western U.S. and compared C and N losses from untreated, burned hillslopes and small catchments with those from adjacent areas that received various erosion mitigation treatments. Losses of C, N and sediment were greatest the first two years and declined in subsequent years. Cumulative losses from untreated, burned areas were 16 - 4,700 kg C/ha and 0.7 - 185 kg N/ha over the study period. Individual storm events were responsible for > 50% of the total C and N lost. Across wildfire locations, median sediment C and N concentration ranged from 0.11 - 0.36 %N and 2.3 - 9.8 %C. Post-fire erosion control treatments reduced C, N and sediment losses by 65-75% compared to untreated areas and generally increased the concentrations of C and N in eroded material. The total C and N lost in post-fire erosion was < 20% of the estimated amount lost from organic and mineral soil layers during combustion and < 5% of the estimated amount remaining in mineral soils after combustion. The additional N lost with soil erosion is unlikely to impair the productivity of recovering forests, but the eroded N may have consequences on downstream water quality and aquatic habitat.