-17- 



51. Packer, P.E. and B.D. Williams. 1974. Logging 

 and prescribed burning effects on the hydrologic 

 and soil stability behavior of larch/Douglas-fir 

 forests in the northern Rocky Mountains. p. 

 465-479 in Proceedings 14th Annual Tall Timbers 

 Fire Ecology Conference, Tall Timbers Research 

 Sta., Tallahassee, Florida. 



Logging exerted a beneficial effect on 

 infiltration and stability of soil as organic 

 debris was incorporated into mineral soil by the 

 action of heavy machinery. Burning was 

 detrimental, however, with effects lasting longer 

 on south slopes, recovering sooner on north 

 slopes. South slopes were driest and showed the 

 most intensive burn effects. Runoff and erosion 

 increased after burning, but recovery was apparent 

 after 3 years except on south slopes. 



52. Ralston, G.W. and G.E. Hatchell. 1971. Effects 

 of prescribed burning on physical properties of 

 soil. p. 68-84. in Proc. Prescribed Burning 

 Symp. USDA For. Serv. , Southeast. For. Exp. 

 Sta., Asheville, N.C. 



Prescribed burning in the Southeast caused no 

 detectable change in the total amount of o.m. in 

 surface soils. Severe fires can cause 

 irreversible changes in clay structure; 

 temperature of 100-200 C drives off structural 

 water, producing properties in montmor illinite 

 similar to sand or gravel. Removal of the litter 

 layer exposes mineral soil to raindrop action, 

 increases erosion, and results in higher average 

 soil temperatures, which may favor subclimax 

 species . 



53. Rothacher, J. and W. Lopushinsky. 1974. Soil 

 stability and water yield quality, p. D1-D23 jji 

 O.P. Cramer (ed.) Environmental effects of forest 

 residues management in the Pacific Northwest: a 

 state-of-knowledge compendium. USDA For. Serv. 

 General Technical Report PNW-24. Portland, 

 Oregon. 



Prescribed light burns which leave o.m. on the 

 soil surface have only minimal influence on 

 watersheds. Piling and burning and pit burning 

 leave areas of soil uncovered and lead to greater 

 surface runoff. Controlled burns are less 

 damaging to soil surface than wildfires but may 

 release as much chemical to stream water as 

 wildfires. 



