Clearcutting affects stream chemistry in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

C. Wayne Martin; Robert S. Pierce; Gene E. Likens; F. Herbert Bormann; F. Herbert Bormann

doi:10.2737/NE-RP-579

Treesearch

Clearcutting affects stream chemistry in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Informally Refereed

Authors:

C. Wayne Martin, Robert S. Pierce, Gene E. Likens, F. Herbert Bormann, F. Herbert Bormann

Year:

1986

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RP-579

Source:

Res. Pap. NE-579. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 12 p.

Download (PDF 1.75 MB)

Download (PDF 1.75 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/21749.pdf

Abstract

Commercial clearcutting of northern hardwood forests changed the chemistry of the streams that drained from them. By the second year after cutting, specific conductance doubled, nitrate increased tenfold, calcium tripled, and sodium, magnesium, and potassium doubled. Chloride and ammonium did not change; sulfate decreased. Concentrations of most ions returned to reference levels after 4 years, though sulfate remained depressed, potassium remained elevated, and acidity decreased.

Keywords

nutrient cycling, watershed, forestry, logging, nitrogen

Citation

Martin, C. Wayne; Pierce, Robert S.; Likens, Gene E.; Bormann, F. Herbert. 1986. Clearcutting affects stream chemistry in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Res. Pap. NE-579. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 12 p.