Forest Management and Sediment Production in the South—A Review

Abstract

Abstract The sediment yield from well-stocked forests is a minute fraction of that from more intensive land uses. Any activity that diaturbs the vegetation and soil of a watershed can increase sediment yield. Forest practices commonly result in small short-term increases. Significant increases in sediment yields are essentially limited to practices conducted with heavy machinery. Sediment production from forestry operations can be diminished without appreciably altering current prescriptions. Yields from similar sites receiving the same type treatment vary by several hundred percent. Sediment yields are substantially reduced when channel disturbance is avoided during cultural operations and the minimum treatment consistent with achieving the desired cultural result is employed. Slope and soil erodibility should receive careful attention when prescribing cultural treatments. Greatest reductions of sediment yields from forest can be achieved by careful design, planning, construction, use and maintenance of forest roads and skid trails.