Effects of forest cutting and herbicide treatment on nutrient budgets in the Hubbard Brook watershed-ecosystem

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1970 · Ecol. Monogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1942440· OSTI ID:6502139

Likens, G E; Bormann, F H; Johnson, N M; Fisher, D W; Pierce, R S

All vegetation on Watershed 2 of the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest was cut during November and December of 1965, and vegetation regrowth was inhibited for two years by periodic application of herbicides. Annual stream-flow was increased 39% the first year and 28% the second year. Large increases in streamwater concentration were observed for all major ions, except NH/sub 4//sup +/SO/sub 4//sup 2 -/ and HCO/sub 3//sup -/, approximately five months after the deforestation. Nitrate concentrations were 41-fold higher than the undisturbed condition the first year and 56-fold higher the second. Sulfate was the only major ion in stream water that decreased in concentration after deforestation. An inverse relationship between sulfate and nitrate concentrations in stream water was observed in both undisturbed and deforested situations. Average streamwater concentrations increased for Ca++, Mg++, K+ and Na+ during the two years subsequent to deforestation. 58 references, 8 tables, 15 figures.

• OSTI ID: 6502139
• Journal Information: Ecol. Monogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Ecol. Monogr.; (United States) Vol. 40; ISSN ECMOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510200* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560303 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Plants-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DEFORESTATION
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FORESTS
HERBICIDES
PESTICIDES
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS