Effects of Bushfires on Soil and Water
Bushfires can have physical, biological and chemical effects on soils. The occurrence and extent of these effects are susceptible on the fire's intensity and the emanating temperature of the soil. Normally, only the few centimetres of soil on the surface are affected through the conduction of heat by the bushfire. Sometimes, in high intensity bushfires, rocks can crack and open due to the intense temperatures as seen in Figure 6. (State Government of Victoria, 2013)
The elimination of vegetation during a bushfire uncovers the soil to wind and water. These two factors make the soil highly vulnerable to erosion. In turn, erosion may cause ash, nutrients and soil to be deposited into water streams. This means that water quality will be affected. Erosion will also increase the turbidity of the water and the sediment load, as seen in Figure 7, resulting in a 'sediment slug'. (State Government of Victoria, 2013)