Determining The Soil Loss Susceptibility To Forest Fires By Using RUSLE And A New Approach In Çınarpınar Forestry Enterprise, Turkey

Abstract

Soil erosion by water (WSE) is an environmental, economic, and sociological problem in the world. Nowadays, forest fires have triggered more WSE, especially in the Mediterranean basin. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the effect of forest fires on soil loss susceptibility in the Çınarpınar Forestry Enterprise, Turkey. The RUSLE model was used to determine soil loss. Two soil loss maps were generated for the actual situation (base scenario) and forest fire scenario. For the forest fire scenario, R, K, and LS factors in the RUSLE model were modified based on the forest fire severity index. Finally, two maps representing base and forest fire scenarios were compared. The actual mean soil loss was found as 5.34 t ha-1 year-1 in the Çınarpınar Forestry Enterprise while the mean soil loss was determined as 12.44 t ha-1 year-1 for the forest fire scenario. It was found that forest fires would increase soil loss by more than 2 times in the study area. Areas with very low soil loss susceptibility to forest fires constitute 41.97% of productive forests, while areas with very high, high, medium, and low soil loss susceptibility constitute 3.64%, 9.28%, 27.50%, and 17.61% of productive forests, respectively. It was also revealed that there is not always a linear relationship between fire severity and soil loss susceptibility under natural conditions. Consequently, it is hoped that this study will help decision-makers in the implementation of the multi-purpose approach, which aims to reduce the risk of both forest fire and soil loss.