Maintains conditions necessary for soil micro-organisms that provide soil structure. On unburned slopes, live vegetation and vegetative litter intercept and slowly transmit precipitation to the soil. During normal rainfall events, the volume of rainfall that infiltrates into the soil is generally high, so that little surface flow occurs. Water from the surface soil percolates to the ground water table and migrates down gradient in slope-forming materials. Rainfall may ultimately emerge as surface flow from streams and stream channels.
Water flows slowly through the soil, often traveling a few meters or less per day.
This reduces the size of flood peaks and allows streams to continue to run significantly beyond individual storms. Enhanced wind erosion. Increased rates of dry ravel of loose material. Decreased rainfall interception and infiltration, resulting in increased surface runoff. Increased rainsplash, rill, and sheetwash erosion.