David Graham, we appreciate the San Diego Union-Tribune’s continuing coverage of the issues relating to wildfire and our local environment.
However, your article in today’s North Inland section, Saving Fire-charred Soil, includes considerable information that is not borne out by scientific studies and the expertise of local professionals.
Seeding with nonnative plants (which are part of your sprayed mix) can greatly alter long-term recovery of natural areas, introduce weeds that are far more flammable, and be far more expensive and far less effective than well-proven physical erosion-control measures in areas near roads, structures, and homes. And the photo shows the hydromulch/seed sprayed on a highway bank that has plenty of vegetation!
There is a 13-page report on post-fire erosion and seeding that includes notes from a 3-hour meeting with local experts and pages of references—please take time to read this.
Terry Rodgers, thank you for your November 7, 2007 article in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Concern shifting from fire to erosion: Methods to protect burn areas debated.
Anne S. Fege, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Botany Research Associate
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