Possible Effects of Intensive Harvesting on Continuous Productivity of Forest Lands
Author: Canada. Forestry Canada. Maritimes Region
Publisher: Fredericton, N.B. : Forestry Canada - Maritimes
Published: 1988
Total Pages: 26
ISBN-13: 9780662164159
DOWNLOAD EBOOKIntensive (whole-tree) harvesting of natural forest stands is widespread in the Maritime provinces. In some cases, the goal of whole-tree harvesting is to increase usable biomass, but often foliage and branch components are discarded at the landing site. This report examines the possible effects of whole-tree harvesting on long-term site productivity, and particularly on soil fertility. The report evaluates published data collected from different parts of the world concerning potential decline in soil fertility resulting from the loss of organic matter and base cations caused by different harvesting methods. Biomass and the amount of base cations that would be removed both by conventional and whole-tree harvesting are calculated. Published data from different stands in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia were used to examine the effect of species and site quality on base cation losses and the potential increase in soil acidification which would result from whole-tree harvesting. The consequences of high base cation losses, especially from the infertile acid soils of the region on long-term interfile acid soils of the region on long-term site productivity are discussed.