The Effects of Land-use History on Soil Properties and Nutrient Dynamics in Northern Hardwood Forests of the Adirondack Mountains

Whole-tree clear-cutting and progressive strip-cutting of northern hardwood forests at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in central New Hampshire resulted in measurable changes in physical and chemical conditions of forest streams. As a result of reduced transpiration and interception, water yield for the first year after whole-tree harvesting increased by >150 mm, the majority of which occurred during the growing season. Peak flows increased only moderately. Water yield and peak flow increases disappeared within 4-6 years as a result of rapidly regrowing vegetation. Sediment yields increased during and after harvesting but can be maintained within normal ranges of reference streams by careful use of best management practices. Stream chemistry changes occurred immediately following harvesting, most notably in the form of increases in concentrations of Ca2+, K+, NO3-, and H+. The concentrations return close to preharvest levels within 3-5 years. The above changes are discussed in terms of their causes and implications for aquatic habitat and fisheries.

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Effects of land-use history on sedimentation in the Potomac Estuary, Maryland

10.3133/wsp2234k ◽

1986 ◽

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Land Use History ◽

Effects Of Land Use ◽

Potomac Estuary

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Preferences for Northern Hardwood Silviculture among Family Forest Owners in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Journal of Forestry ◽

10.1093/jofore/fvaa051 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alexander C Helman ◽

Matthew C Kelly ◽

Mark D Rouleau ◽

Yvette L Dickinson

Keyword(s):

Species Diversity ◽

Hardwood Forests ◽

Family Forest Owners ◽

Forest Owners ◽

Upper Peninsula ◽

Northern Hardwood Forests ◽

Family Forest ◽

Northern Hardwood ◽

Single Tree ◽

Single Tree Selection

Abstract Managing northern hardwood forests using high-frequency, low-intensity regimes, such as single-tree selection, favors shade-tolerant species and can reduce tree species diversity. Management decisions among family forest owners (FFO) can collectively affect species and structural diversity within northern hardwood forests at regional scales. We surveyed FFOs in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan to understand likely future use of three silvicultural treatments—single-tree selection, shelterwood, and clearcut. Our results indicate that FFOs were most likely to implement single-tree selection and least likely to implement clearcut within the next 10 years. According to logistic regression, prior use of a treatment and perceived financial benefits significantly increased the odds for likely use for all three treatments. Having received professional forestry assistance increased likely use of single-tree selection but decreased likely use of shelterwood. We discuss these results within the context of species diversity among northern hardwood forests throughout the region.

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