Does Timber Harvesting Practices Cause Soil Erosion and Pollution of Streams and Lakes?
Wayne K. Clatterbuck, Associate Professor, Forest Management and Silviculture FWF Newsletter August 2005 Timber harvesting practices are often accused of generating soil erosion and contributing to water pollution. Often harvested areas are viewed as unattractive and disruptive. These attributes are perceived as causing site degradation. However, research has repeatedly shown that cutting trees does not cause soil erosion, regardless of the cutting practice employed, if best management practices (BMPs) are implemented. Erosion occurs in areas where leaves and other organic debris, which cover the forest floor, have been pushed back, scraped or incorporated into the soil and where the soil itself has been disturbed or loosened. Areas where the organic litter remains undisturbed are protected from raindrop erosion. The energy of falling rain is absorbed by the litter layer preventing detachment of soil particles. The greatest potential for erosion in forestry is from activities related t
