HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Beasley, R. S. Articles by Zillmer, V. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Beasley, R. S. Articles by Zillmer, V. Agricola Articles by Beasley, R. S. Articles by Zillmer, V.

Sediment Losses from Forest Management: Mechanical vs. Chemical Site Preparation After Clearcutting¹

ABSTRACT

The comparative effects of mechanical and chemical site preparation on water yields and sediment losses following forest clearcutting were evaluated over a 4-yr period in the Athens Plateau area of southwestern Arkansas. After 1 yr of pretreatment measurements, three forested watersheds were clearcut and the residual vegetation and debris were sheared and windrowed but not burned. Three watersheds were clearcut in a similar manner, but received chemical site preparation. Residual trees on two watersheds were injected with 2–4,D amine; the third watershed was aerially sprayed with a mixture of Tordon® (active ingredient; picloram [4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicoline acid]) and Garlon® (active ingredient; triclopyr [3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyloxyacetic acid]). Three additional watersheds were left undisturbed for controls. Mean annual sediment losses on the mechanically, site prepared watersheds during the first posttreatment year were significantly higher than those from either the chemically site prepared watersheds or controls. Chemical site preparation did not significantly increase sediment losses. Although 2nd yr losses for the mechanical site preparation and control treatments doubled over 1st-yr levels, no significant treatment effect was detected for either site preparation treatment. Third-year losses decreased below 1st-yr losses for all treatments but not to pretreatment year levels. The relatively sharp declines in sediment losses during the third posttreatment year were attributed to rapid regrowth of natural vegetation on the sites.

Key Words: nonpoint source pollution • erosion • watersheds • forest hydrology

¹ Published with approval of the Director, Arkansas Agric. Exp. Stn., Monticello, AR.

² Professor of Forest Hydrology, Research Specialist, Dep. Forest Resources Univ. of Arkansas at Monticello and Arkansas Agricultural Exp. Stn., Monticello, AR 71655; and former Research Specialist, Arkansas Agric. Exp. Stn., currently Major, U.S. Army, West Fort Hood, TX, respectively.

Received for publication October 19, 1985.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. P. Burt and T.P. Burt Slopes and slope processes Progress in Physical Geography, December 1, 1988; 12(4): 583 - 594. [PDF]