Determining the potential impacts of fire and different land uses on splash erosion in the margins of drylands

This research aimed to estimate the splash erosion and its evolution during first months in specific land uses after a forest fire. The study area was located Congosto (North-West Spain), margins of Spanish drylands, wildfire occurred May 2012, which burned 15.56 ha scrubland Pinus reforestation. Two different were selected compared control areas: i) pine forest; and, scrublands. Rainfall intensity number, sizes speed raindrops measured by an optical disdrometer soil loss funnels. Moreover, infiltration, moisture content, aggregate stability, water repellence, pH organic matter also measured. Results showed that highest losses areas, especially plots. most influential factors presence bare low vegetation recovery rate. Changes properties did not significantly influence erosion, although increase smaller classes aggregates could promote scrubland. We conclude ecosystem restoration is key issue be considered wildfire, especially, those types are severely affected fire drylands.