Buffalo Creek Fire Investigators CSU - Redente, Barbarick, Miller EPA - Brobst
Background Information Fire May 18, 1996 Burned 4806 hectares of Ponderosa Pine/Douglas Fir at 2,200 m elevation Severe Erosion following Thunderstorms in 1996 Stream Flow – Normal < 10CFS Steam Flow – Storm > 30,000CFS
Project Objectives Compare effects of single application of biosolids at 0,5,10,20,40 and 80 Mg/ha. Plant establishment Biomass production Species diversity Chemical quality of Plant and Soil Runoff quantity and quality
Experimental Design 24 treatment plots - 6 treatments/ 4 reps. of each Each plot 3m x m Use of Full size Application Equipment Single application of composted biosolids disced to depth of cm Seeded at 27 kg/ha (FS provided Seed)
Biomass Production
Cover Comparison Biosolids Plots
Mean % Canopy Cover by Cover Type(2000) App.RatePlantLitterBare-grndRock b22.75c35.75a0.25b a29.50b18.25bc1.25b a32.85b16.04bc0.25b a36.50b14.00bc0.75b a34.41b18.23bc0.50b a39.50b7.00c0.25b Between52.42a15.80c31.31a0.47b Hvy Burn52.67a17.00c26.67ab3.67a Light Burn36.67b51.00a11.67c0.67b
Mean Biomass g/m 2 by life form (2000) App.RateGrassForbsShrubTotal Between Light Burn
Photo Comparison