The ineffectiveness of seeded species in reducing soil erosion losses
was very evident in the present study. Even under the rainy temperate
conditions of this site, which could have favoured rapid vegetation
growth, appreciable ground cover was not established in a reasonably
short time suggesting that fall and winter temperature could limit
vegetation growth of both native and seeded plants. This delay in
vegetation regrowth and germination is usual in this area. Anyway,
the low soil temperature during fire suggests that plant root system
was not affected and it could contribute to reduce soil losses. By
contrast, mulching was highly effective in reducing soil erosion losses,
despite the low dose of mulch added and the rainy climate, which
may have favoured loss of the mulch.