The influence of wildfire on water quality and watershed processes: new insights and remaining challenges
Charles C. Rhoades A E , João P. Nunes B , Uldis Silins C and Stefan H. Doerr D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA.
B Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciencias Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon 1749-016, Portugal.
C Agricultural Life and Environmental Sciences, Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada.
D Department of Geography, College of Science, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
E Corresponding author. Email: charles.c.rhoades@usda.gov
International Journal of Wildland Fire 28(10) 721-725 https://doi.org/10.1071/WFv28n10_FO
Published: 21 October 2019
Abstract
This short paper provides the framework and introduction to this special issue of International Journal of Wildland Fire. Its eight papers were selected from those presented at two consecutive conferences held in 2018 in Europe and the USA that focussed on the impacts of wildfire on factors that regulate streamflow, water quality, sediment transport, and aquatic habitats. Despite decades of watershed research, our understanding of the effects of wildfires on the processes that regulate clean water supply remains limited. Here, we summarise the key challenges and research needs in this interdisciplinary field and evaluate the contributions the eight special issue papers make to improved understanding of wildfire impacts on watershed processes. We also outline research priorities aimed at improving our ability to predict and, where necessary, mitigate wildfire impacts on watersheds. Achieving these advances is all the more pressing given the increasing extent and severity of wildfires in many areas that are the source of clean water for major population centres.
Additional keywords: drinking water, pollutants, water contamination, water supply.
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