Trends in evapotranspiration and streamflow following wildfire in resprouting eucalypt forests

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the recovery trajectory of evapotranspiration (Et) and streamflow (Q) in resprouting forested catchments following wildfire. Recovery dynamics were assessed in mixed species eucalypt forests in south-eastern Australia which recover from disturbance largely via vegetative resprouting, and to a lesser degree, via seedling recruitment. Changes in Et were evaluated in two ways. Firstly, we developed semi-empirical models of post-fire Et following moderate and high severity wildfire. These models were based on datasets of plot-scale Et, measured within five years post-fire, and published literature on post-fire changes in vegetation structure. Secondly,..