Hydrological/Environmental Impacts of Tree Harvesting within Flatwood Pine Forests Upon Local Wetlands

Abstract

The impact of different management practices on the hydrology of cypress pond/flatwood systems was simulated using a multi-dimensional water flow and solute transport model (WETLANDS). Three hypothetical weather years were used. Results of these simulations revealed that during periods of positive net water input (NWI) flatwood areas undergo slow surface drainage by inter-connected strands of cypress ponds. It is during such times of the year that a high potential exists for contamination of the pond surface water. However, there is no concern about contaminant movement into the pond during a H&W year where NWI is negative throughout the year. Total tree harvest resulted in suppressed water consumption by ET such that water levels in the cypress pond were higher and water table depths were shallower. Total clear cut of the forest resulted in higher potential of contaminant movement into the pond as a result of the high NWI and a high water table through the simulated year. Unharvested buffer zones adjacent to ponds provided significant hydrological/environmental benefits to total harvesting.