Ch 7: Fire and Physical Environment Interactions | Fire In California's Ecosystems

“Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.” While fire’s interactions with the physical environment may not be as exciting as the show Avatar, wildfire can have significant impacts on soil, water, and air.

The effects on soil can be either beneficial or detrimental. The burning away of vegetation and organic matter can enhance nutrient availability, but it can also lead to erosion, as hillsides are no longer held in place.

Erosion can also be accelerated after fires because the soil becomes more water-repellent. With less water infiltration, you end up with more overland flow. This can impact water quantity and quality downstream as both flow rates and sedimentation increase.

And even if you don’t live in California, you’ve probably seen the impact fire can have on air quality as smoke is transported downwind. This can affect the health and well-being of both human and biological communities.

Source:
Ch 7: Fire In California's Ecosystems 2nd ed

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[octaviakessler]

Great job!! Love the Avatar reference!😊

[robertforrest]

When are you running for office Holt?? 😅👍🏻👍🏻