Skip to main content

Long-Term Effects of Silvicultural Practices on Groundwater Quality in Boreal Forest Environment

  • Chapter

Abstract

Logging disturbances in boreal forest watersheds alter strongly a forest ecosystem resulting in different light, moisture and temperature conditions (Kubin and Kemppainen, 1991, 1994) and new distribution of forest biomass (Kubin, 1977). The effects on watercourses depend on the regeneration method used. Clear-cutting and site preparation cause the greatest changes in site conditions and to the environment. The oldest research carried out within the boreal coniferous forest zone on the leaching of nutrients into watercourses was conducted in Sweden in the early 1970s (Tamm et al., 1974; Wiklander, 1974). In Finland, the effect of clear-cutting and site preparation on the quality of surface runoff has been monitored since 1974 (Kubin, 1995) and on the leaching of nutrients from entire catchment areas since 1983 (Ahtiainen, 1988). The leaching of nutrients into the groundwater after clear cutting and waste wood harvesting has been monitored since 1986 (Kubin, 1998).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Tamm, C.O., Holmen, H., Popovic, B. and Wiklander, G. (1974). Leaching of plant nutrients from soils as a consequence of forestry operations. Ambio, III(6): 211221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahtiainen, M. (1988). Effects of clearcutting and forestry drainage on water quality in the Nurmes study. Proceedings of the International Symposium on the Hydrology of Wetlands in Temperate and Cold Regions, Joensuu, Finland. 6-8 June, 1988. Vol. I. Publications of the Academy of Finland 4/1988.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bormannan, F.H. and Likens, G.E. (1979). Pattern and process in a forested ecosystem. Springer-Verlag. New York, Heidelberg, Berlin.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kreutzweiser, D.P., Hazlett, P.W. and Gunn, J.M. (2008). Logging impacts on the biogeochemistry of boreal forest soils and nutrient export to aquatic systems: A review. Environmental Reviews, 16: 157-179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krecek, J. (1987). Effects of forest practices on nitrate content in stream-water. In: Proceedings of the 5th CIEC International Symposium on Protection of Water Quality from Harmful Emissions, Balatonfured (Hungary), 186-191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin, E. (1977). The effect of clear cutting upon the nutrient status of a spruce forest in Northern Finland. Acta Forestalia Fennica, 155: 1-40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin, E. and Kemppainen, L. (1991). Effect of clear cutting of boreal spruce forest on air and soil temperature conditions. Acta For. Fennica, 225: 1-42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin, E. and Kemppainen, L. (1994). Effect of soil preparation of boreal spruce forest on air and soil conditions in forest regeneration areas. Acta For. Fennica, 244: 1-56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin, E. (1995). Site preparation and leaching of nutrients. Proceedings of the Symposium Northern Silviculture and Management, August 16-22, 1987 in Lapland, Finland. Finnish Forest Research Institute, Research Papers of Metla No. 567, 5562.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin, E. (1998). Leaching of nitrate nitrogen into the groundwater after clear felling and site preparation. Boreal Environmental Research, 3: 3-8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin, E. (2006). Leaching of nitrogen from upland forest-regeneration sites into wetland areas. In: Krecek, J. and Haigh, M. (eds). Environmental Role of Wetlands in Headwaters. Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin, E., Ylitolonen, J., Välitalo, J. and Eskelinen, J. (2000). Prevention of nutrient leaching from a forest regeneration area using overland flow fields. In: Haigh, M. and Krecek, J. (eds). Environmental Reconstruction in Headwater Areas. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin, E. and Krecek, J. (2008). Impact of forestry practices on groundwater quality in the boreal environment. In: Taniguchi, M., Burnett, W.C., Fukushima, Y., Haigh, M. and Umezawa, Y. (eds). From Headwaters to the Ocean. Hydrological Changes and Management.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubin, E., Murto, T., Piispanen, J. and Kremsa, J. (2011). Leaching of nitrogen into the groundwater after clear cutting and planting compared with natural regeneration and stump harvesting. Abstract. International symposium Tree-Stumps for Bioenergy at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala, Sweden. October 24-26, 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piirainen , S., Finér, L., Mannerkoski, H. and Starr, M. (2008). Effect of clear-cutting and site preparation on the level and quality of groundwater in some headwater catchments in eastern Finland. Forest Ecology and Management, 243(1): 10-18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rusanen, K., Finer L., Antikainen, M., Korkka-Niemi, K., Backman, B. and Britschgi, R. (2004). The effect of forest cutting on the quality of groundwater in large aquifers in Finland. Boreal Environmental Research, 9: 253-261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamm, C.O., Holmen, H., Popovic, B. and Wiklander, G. (1974). Leaching of plant nutrients from soils as a consequence of forestry operations. Ambio, III(6): 211221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiklander, G. (1974). Hyggesupptagningens inverkan pa vaxtnaringsinnehall i yt- och grundvatten. Summary: Effect of clear felling on the content of nutrients in surface and ground water. Sveriges Skogsvordsförbundets Tidskrift, I: 86-90.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Capital Publishing Company

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kubin, E. (2012). Long-Term Effects of Silvicultural Practices on Groundwater Quality in Boreal Forest Environment. In: Krecek, J., Haigh, M.J., Hofer, T., Kubin, E. (eds) Management of Mountain Watersheds. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2476-1_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics