The Northern hardwood forest ecosystem: ten years of recovery from clearcutting

J.W. Hornbeck; C.W. Martin; R.S. Pierce; F.H. Bormann; G.E. Likens; J.S. Eaton; J.S. Eaton

doi:10.2737/NE-RP-596

Treesearch

The Northern hardwood forest ecosystem: ten years of recovery from clearcutting

Informally Refereed

Authors:

J.W. Hornbeck, C.W. Martin, R.S. Pierce, F.H. Bormann, G.E. Likens, J.S. Eaton, J.S. Eaton

Year:

1987

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/NE-RP-596

Source:

NE-RP-596. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 30 p.

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Download (PDF 3.28 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/21770.pdf

Abstract

Two even-age management systems, progressive strip cutting and block clearcutting, have been studied since 1970 on small watersheds at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire. In the strip cutting, all merchantable trees were harvested in a series of three strips over 4 years (1970-74). In the block clearcutting, all trees were harvested in a single operation in 1970. This paper contrasts progressive strip cutting and block clearcutting for the 10-year period after initiation of harvest in terms of hydrologic response, erosion losses, stream water ions, nutrient leaching, nutrient removals in harvested products, and natural regeneraion of vegetation.

Keywords

water yield, watershed, hydrology, soil nutrients, nutrient cycling, nutrient budget, stand regeneration, Hubbard Brook

Citation

Hornbeck, J.W.; Martin, C.W.; Pierce, R.S.; Bormann, F.H.; Likens, G.E.; Eaton, J.S. 1987. The Northern hardwood forest ecosystem: ten years of recovery from clearcutting. NE-RP-596. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 30 p.