Cataloging Information
Ecological - Second Order
Soils
There is demand for greater understanding concerning the impacts of forest management practices on water and sediment yield in the mountainous watersheds of the Pacific Northwest. Common forest operations such as harvesting and road construction can significantly affect hydrology and sediment transport at the hillslope and watershed scales, influencing the soil’s ability to retain water, its permeability, the pressure of the water within soil pores, and root decay, which can increase soil instability. Indeed, much of the upland erosion related to forest management can be due to road construction and skid-trails. The resultant compacted soils can decrease soil hydraulic conductivity and increase overland flow as precipitation exceeds infiltration capacity and/ or where road cut slopes intercept subsurface flow. Increased peak streamflow after logging can also lead to increased stream sediment transport from the stream bed and banks.