THE IMPACT OF FOREST FIRES ON SOIL LOSS FROM WATER EROSION IN SERRA DE SANTA HELENA

 

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Bibliographic Details
Author: Meneses, Bruno Miguel
Format: artículo original
Status:Versión publicada
Publication Date:2014
Description:This work assesses the influence of forest fires on soil loss from water erosion in Serra de Santa Helena, Portugal. It first makes an analysis of the spatial and temporal distribution of fires in this Serra, allowing us to know which areas are most affected and also where there is recurrence. Secondly, it determines the erosion, using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). This latest assessment considers the variation of the “Covered Soil Factor” that integrates the USLE and the occurrence of fires, first estimating the average annual loss of soil, with soil protected by vegetation, and later without protective vegetation. The results reveal the importance of vegetation cover in reducing soil loss by water erosion, since the biggest loss occurs in the unprotected soil as a result of the destruction of the entire protective layer by fire.
Country:Portal de Revistas UNA
Institution:Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica
Repositorio:Portal de Revistas UNA
Language:Español
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.www.una.ac.cr:article/6014
Online Access:https://www.revistas.una.ac.cr/index.php/geografica/article/view/6014
Keyword:Forest fires
soil erosion
USLE
Serra de Santa Helena
Portugal
Incêndios florestais
Erosão do solo
EUPS