ABSTRACT: Potential for soil erosion from decreased litterfall due to riparian clearcutting: implications for boreal forestry and warm- and cool-water fisheries.

CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Abstract

One of the most overt consequences of catchment clearcutting is increased soil erosion which can seriously affect fish stocks. Riparian stands around 10 northwestern Ontario lakes, clearcut 4 to 10 years previously, were found to produce only 60% of the litterfall of nearby uncut riparian forests. As a result of this decrease in protective ground surface cover the retention of organic duff within deployed mesh-bags, was significantly reduced in clearcut riparian zones. A rainfall simulation experiment further suggested that the erosion of sandy loam can be twice as great under litterfall conditions representative of clearcut, compared to forested shorelines. Due to the potential for increased soil erosion from clearcutting, Ontario should consider a return to its pre-1985 policy of preventing timber harvesting around 'warm-' and 'cool-water' lakes that contain percid and escoid sportfish and often support a lucrative commercial cyprinid baitfishery.

Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology