Reducing Erosion Hazard on a Burned Forest in Oregon by Seeding

Abstract

A burned private forest was revegetated by seeding to grasses, legumes, shrubs, and trees. The sequence of events in carrying out this stabilization program provides a guideline for others handling similar situations; timeliness and ecological adaptation of species used is important. A field study (1969-72) compared results obtained on three ecological sites. A satisfactory vegetational cover was established by seeded grass the first year after seeding on all three sites, whereas natural revegetation did not provide satisfactory cover on an unseeded area in 4 years. Common legumes seeded for deer forage did not survive, indicating the need for additional study of species adaptation. Broadcasting tree seed was a failure. Seeded grasses apparently suppressed development of some native shrubs, which was detrimental to wildlife habitat. Herbage production on seeded areas was about four times greater than on the unseeded area. Two years of soil loss from seeded watersheds totaled less than 5 tons per acre as measured by the amount of sediment in debris basins. Fire-killed ponderosa pine snags were most susceptible to windthrow; grand fir was the least.