Question

How does selective harvesting helps in prevention of soil erosion?

Answer 1

Timber harvest has short and long-term effects on your farm and the surrounding landscape; the subsequent land use may have even greater impacts. Forest harvest can affect soil, vegetation, watershed characteristics, wildlife habitat, aesthetics and economics. Impacts can include: elimination of species (vegetation or wildlife species), and damage to the soil and water system. Proper harvesting usually reduces the negative impacts. The nature and extent of the effects will depend on the logging practices, subsequent land use and landscape characteristics.

Soil

Forest soil plays an important role in forest ecology. During forest harvesting, it is important to minimize negative impacts on soil. Logging might affect the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soils which in turn may have long term consequences for the soil’s productivity, nutrient regime and capability. Logging activities such as landings, access roads, and main skid trails may significantly reduce soil productivity.




Aesthetics

Removing forest cover changes the aesthetics of the local landscape. In some areas, public opinion may result in pressure to modify timber harvesting practices to reduce the visual effect. Many surveys show that scenic beauty is a very common reason to manage woodlots.

Economics for Harvesting

Harvesting and any subsequent land development can have significant economic consequences. You will need to carefully estimate the costs and benefits to decide if timber harvesting is the best economic choice for you. For example:

The merchantable value of timber varies greatly from site to site. What is the value of the timber at your site?Costs for slash disposal and reclamation or development of agricultural land can be large; they may be higher than the value of the harvested trees.Removing tree cover removes the environmental benefits associated with trees. This can have economic impacts. For instance, crop yields on open fields are typically less than those on sheltered