Heather burning and soil erosion on the North Yorkshire Moors.
Abstract
In studies in the Hodge Beck catchment area, where Calluna vulgaris recolonizing burnt ground formed an incomplete cover there was a negative correlation between the rate of soil erosion and the height and density of the vegetation. Where there was a complete canopy the loss of soil was very small compared with the rate of litter accumulation. Gully development on this hill land was considered to occur in response to wetter soil conditions brought about by moor-burning.