Effect of Burning on Infiltration, Sediment, and Other Soil Properties in a Mesquite-Tobosagrass Community

Abstract

Burning had a minimal effect on rainfall infiltration and sediment load in runoff from a mesquite-tobosagrass community on slopes less than 1%. Most soil physical properties that affect infiltration on these heavy clay soils were not altered significantly by burning. Potential soil loss in runoff can be minimized by burning under relatively moist conditions. Larger soil aggregates were broken down by burning and had not returned to equilibrium on 5-year-old burns. Trends in levels of soil organic carbon, salinity, sodium, and potassium following burning varied with degree of soil cracking, which is a function of soil moisture.