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IMPACTS OF SILVICULTURE ON FLATWOODS RUNOFF, WATER QUALITY, AND NUTRIENT BUDGETS 1
Author(s) -
Riekerk H.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1983.tb04559.x
Subject(s) - environmental science , watershed , surface runoff , water quality , nutrient , hydrology (agriculture) , vegetation (pathology) , phosphorus , silviculture , agronomy , agroforestry , ecology , biology , chemistry , geology , medicine , geotechnical engineering , pathology , machine learning , computer science , organic chemistry
Three forest watersheds were isolated by roads in poorly drained flatwoods of Florida. After 12 months of baseline calibration the forest in one watershed was harvested and regenerated with minimum disturbance, in the second watershed with maximum disturbance from common practices, and in the third watershed left intact as a control. Water yields from the maximum treatments increased a significant 250 percent while that from the minimum treatments increased 117 percent as compared to the control. Weed vegetation remaining after the minimum treatment continued significant water use. The water yield increases lasted only for one year. Water quality was reduced by both treatments with the most effect immediately after the maximum disturbance. Absolute levels of suspended sediments, potassium, and calcium remained relatively low. The maximum treatment caused significant changes in net cation balances only for one year. The information shows relative little effect of silvicultural practices in flatwoods on water quality as compared to data from upland forests. Water yield increases may be manipulated by the degree of harvest and weed control practices.