Effects of forest clearcutting in New England on stream chemistry

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6604899

Martin, C W; Noel, D S; Federer, C A

Differences in stream chemistry between recently clearcut and nearby uncut watersheds were generally small in a wide variety of soil and forest types throughout New England. Water samples were collected during six periods of the year in 1978 and 1979 from 6 entirely clearcut, 32 partially clearcut, and 18 uncut watersheds. The largest differences that could be attributed to harvesting occurred in entirely clearcut watersheds, especially in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In one area of the White Mountains, inorganic N was 4 times higher (2 mg/L), and Ca was 2 times higher (4 mg/L) in streams from a clearcut watershed than in a nearby uncut watershed. Elsewhere, only minor changes in stream chemistry resulted from cutting; the amount of the cutting response was of the same magnitude as natural variations among streams draining similar watersheds. Clearcutting less than entire watersheds, patch and strip cuts, and buffer strips along streams all appear to reduce the magnitude of changes in stream chemistry.

• Research Organization: Univ. of New Hampshire, Durham
• OSTI ID: 6604899
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 13:2; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
520200* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CHEMISTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FEDERAL REGION I
FORESTS
HARVESTING
HYDROLOGY
NORTH AMERICA
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WATER CHEMISTRY
WATER QUALITY
WATERSHEDS
WOOD