2020 Student Professional Paper - Graduate Level Integrating Design Parameters for Reseeding and Mulching after Wildfire: An Example from the 416 Fire, Colorado

Abstract

Wildfires burn vegetation over large areas of land, removing ground cover and frequently increasing potential for erosion-related hazards, such as debris flows, soil loss, and increased sedimentation downstream. Reseeding and mulching are two techniques used to prevent erosion and foster re-establishment of native plant species. However, design guidelines and specifications for reseeding and mulching programs are scattered in the literature, impeding efforts to follow best practices when preparing mitigation plans. This article summarizes guidelines and specifications for both reseeding and mulching and applies them in a sample GIS-based reseeding and mulching design for a basin burned in 2018 by the 416 Fire, Colorado. In addition to relying only on remote data, the method presented here aids operators and management personnel in making quick assessments of mitigation needs and areas suitable for mitigation, allowing for prompt responses to time-sensitive erosion hazards.