Optimal values of CNs and C variables, that are crucial parameters for the precise estimation of runoff and erosion [31,32], have not yet been identified in burned situations and with post-fire management. Additionally, the validation of soil erosion models in soils subjected to post-fire management remedies, for example mulching, is specifically scarce globally [28,33]. Therefore, the applicability ofLand 2021, ten,3 ofthe SCS-CN approach and USLE-family models could remain Almonertinib Epigenetic Reader Domain questionable, without having targeted modeling evaluations. These literature gaps require studies that must assess the prediction capability with the SCS-CN, Horton, and USLE models in burned Oteseconazole Fungal forests in Mediterranean locations under pre-fire and post-fire management, for example prescribed fire and soil mulching. To satisfy this want, this study evaluates the prediction capability for runoff and soil loss in the SCS-CN, Horton, and USLE-family models (MUSLE and USLE-M) in three forests (pine, chestnut, and oak) of Southern Italy. The investigation was carried out in the plot and event scales all through one particular year soon after a prescribed fire and with post-fire soil mulching with fern residues. The study queries which this study aims to answer are two: (i) Would be the tested models dependable and correct for predicting surface runoff and soil erosion in Mediterranean burned forests (ii) That are the optimal values in the input parameters in the tested models 2. Materials and Procedures two.1. Study Area The investigation was carried out in 3 of the most dominant forests of Calabria (Southern Italy), whose climate is semi-arid (`Csa’ class, `hot-summer Mediterranean’ climate, in line with Koppen) [34]. The mean annual precipitation and temperature are 1102 mm and 17.4 C, respectively (climate station of Sant’Agata del Bianco, geographical coordinates 42 17 54″ N, 59 51 59″ E, period 2000020). Close towards the municipality of Samo, three forest websites have been identified to gather the hydrological observations used for the model evaluation (Figure 1):a pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton, “Calamacia” web-site, 38 four 52″ N; 16 1 46″ E) stand reforested in 1984 over an location in between 650 and 700 m a.s.l. a all-natural oak (Quercus frainetto Ten., “Rungia” internet site, 38 five 20″ N; 16 0 39″ E) stand (90050 m a.s.l.) a chestnut stand (Castanea sativa Mill., “Orgaro” web page, 38 4 59″ N; 16 1 50″ E) about 30 years-old, amongst 700 and 750 m.The tree density was about 950 (pine), 225 (oak), and 725 (chestnut) trees/ha. The tree height was 21 (pine), 10 (chestnut), and 18 (oak) m, though the breast diameter was 28, 20, and 41 cm, respectively. Shrub formations mainly consisted of Quercus ilex L., Rubus ulmifolius S., and Bellis perennis L. (pine forest); Cyclamen hederifolium and Bellis perennis L. (oak); and Rubus ulmifolius S., Pteridium aquilinum L., and Bellis perennis L. (chestnut). All forest stands had not been topic to management actions just after planting or in the last fifty years for the natural stand. The soils with the experimental web-sites (Cambisols, in line with the Planet Reference Base for soil sources classification) had been homogenous. The mean slope of soils was about 20 for all stands, as well as the texture was loamy sand (10.six 2.57 of silt, eight.76 0.61 of clay, and 80.7 two.68 of sand). The unburned location on the pine forest in Calamacia instead showed a sandy loam texture (ten.1 1.01 of silt, 9.0 0.01 of clay, and 81.0 0.99 of sand). 2.two. Prescribed Fire Operations and Mulching Application The prescribed fire was carried out in early June 2019, fol.
