Permanent Removal of the Forest: Construction of Roads and Power Supply Lines

The construction of roads and power supply lines causes disturbances which differ from forest clearing for farming purposes by several major issues:

• The disturbance is linear and narrow but extends over a wide distance.

• Not only is the topsoil affected but usually the entire soil layer is stripped and, especially in a mountainous area, even the slopes are clipped and ablated and broadenings are banked.

• The forest is usually cleared mechanically and not by the use of fire.

• Once the traffic route is completed, disturbance continues either by regular cutting of the vegetation along the wayside or by landslides of various dimensions caused by erosion of the steep embankments.