Potential Water Yield Response Following Clearcut Harvesting on North and South Slopes in Northern Idaho

摘要

The hydrologic response of small clearcuts on north and south slopes in northern Idaho was investigated. On the north slope, substantial gains in potential water yield per year resulted from (a) removal of transpiring surfaces associated with plant cover, (b) elimination of snow interception by a closed-canopied forest, and (c) delayed reoccupation of the soil mantle by invading herbaceous species. On the south slope, small to moderate gains in yield resulted from clearcutting, at least in 1973, the year studied.