Lidar digital elevation models and topographic change detection results from burned and unburned plots in the Sevilleta LTER.

These data were generated as part of a research project focused on montiroing sediment flux in dryland ecosystems following wildfire. In six separate small plots, three burned and three unburned, we conducted light detection and ranging (lidar) topographic surveys in 2016, 2017, and 2018 to document elevation changes and the volume of sediment deposition and erosion. At the down-wind edge of each plot, we used sediment catchers to trap sediment exiting the plots and thus estimate erosion volumes using in-situ equipment, which provided a secondary measurement of sediment efflux from all sites in addition to the lidar data. We used the geomorphic change detection software (https://gcd.riverscapes.xyz/) to produce maps of topographic change from the lidar digital elevation models for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 periods at all plots, burned and unburned. Results from this project may aid in understanding post-fire transport of sediment and nutrients from drylands following wildfire.