Northern Research Station

Title: Clearcutting affects stream chemistry in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Author: Martin, C. Wayne; Pierce, Robert S.; Likens, Gene E.; Bormann, F. Herbert

Date: 1986

Source: Res. Pap. NE-579. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 12 p.

Station ID: RP-NE-579

Description: Commercial clearcutting of northern hardwood forests changed the chemistry of the streams that drained from them. By the second year after cutting, specific conductance doubled, nitrate increased tenfold, calcium tripled, and sodium, magnesium, and potassium doubled. Chloride and ammonium did not change; sulfate decreased. Concentrations of most ions returned to reference levels after 4 years, though sulfate remained depressed, potassium remained elevated, and acidity decreased.

Keywords: nutrient cycling; watershed; forestry; logging; nitrogen

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Citation

Martin, C. Wayne; Pierce, Robert S.; Likens, Gene E.; Bormann, F. Herbert  1986.  Clearcutting affects stream chemistry in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.   Res. Pap. NE-579. Broomall, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station. 12 p..