Short-term effects of wildfire on Patagonian headwater streams

A significant shift in taxonomic composition and reduced densities of sensitive taxa in Patagonian headwater streams was observed shortly after the 2015 El Cristo wildfire in Los Alerces National Park. While macroinvertebrate richness, abundance, and diversity remained unchanged, burned streams exhibited higher water temperature, total dissolved solids, and suspended solids, along with a notable decrease in shredders and collector-filterers. This suggests that while overall biodiversity may be resilient to short-term disturbances, sensitive taxa and functional feeding groups are vulnerable. The study compared physicochemical variables and community structure between burned and unburned streams through periodic water quality assessments and sampling of periphyton and invertebrates over eight months post-fire.

Williams Subiza, E. A., & Brand, C. (2018). Short-term effects of wildfire on Patagonian headwater streams. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 27(7), 457–470. https://doi.org/10.1071/wf17164