The effect of fire-induced surface heterogeneity on rainfall-runoff-erosion relationships in an eastern Mediterranean ecosystem, Israel

The effect of forest fire on rainfall-runoff-erosion relationships at the micro-scale (plot) and at the meso-scale (hillslope) were studied in a Mediterranean mountainous region near Haifa, Israel. Rainfall simulation experiments were carried out on several plots at different times since the fire. Runoff and sediment yield were collected during the experiments. Soil samples from the upper soil layer (0–4 cm) were collected for analysing physical and chemical properties The results obtained show that the total runoff and sediment yield varied considerably in both space and time. High spatial variability, at the plot scale, together with relatively low fire intensities and a well-structured and stable soil, were considered to be the main reasons for the very low runoff and sediment yield at the meso-scale (hillslope).