Presentation made at the 7th International Conference on Geomorphology (ANZIAG): Ancient Landscapes - Modern Perspectives. Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Australia, 6-11 July 2009

www.geomorphology2009.com

Session: Fire Effects on Geomorphology and Environmental Processes

Session description: Wildfire can lead to considerable geomorphological and environmental change, both directly by weathering bedrock surfaces and changing soil structure and properties, and indirectly through the effects of changes to the soil and vegetation on hydrological and geomorphological processes. Thus, for example, investigations of accelerated hillslope erosion and post-fire debris flow have been at the forefront of fire impact research in recent years. A recent surge in these and related areas of fire research highlights the challenges faced by researchers and land managers in predicting and addressing the on-site and off-site effects of fires. This surge has accompanied a trend of increased fire activity with particularly destructive fires in many parts of the world, which is likely to continue with climate change for the foreseeable future. Notwithstanding this need to focus on contemporary fire impacts, fires have influenced landscape development in various ways over many millions of years as a recurring agent in most environments that produce sufficient biomass to sustain a burn.