The impact of aspen harvesting on site productivity

Authors

David H. Alban

Document Type

Contribution to Book

Editor

S. Navratil and P.B. Chapman

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Aspen Management for the 21st Century: Proceedings of a Symposium

Publisher

Forestry Canada, Northwest Region and Poplar Council of Canada

First Page

71

Last Page

76

Publication Date

1991

Abstract

Aspen management can affect site productivity in two major ways: First, aspen accumulates large amounts of nutrients (especially Ca) in its biomass. Harvesting removes these nutrients from the site and, in the long run, site quality will decline if these nutrients are not replenished. Second, the harvesting operation itself can cause site quality loss through soil physical disturbance or through accelerated soil organic matter decomposition and nutrient leaching losses. Our understanding of the processes controlling site productivity is very weak, therefore our ability to predict the consequences of management activities on site productivity is very limited. Current research will help correct this weakness.

Recommended Citation

Alban, David H. 1990. The impact of aspen harvesting on site productivity. S. Navratil and P.B. Chapman (editors). Aspen Management for the 21st Century: Proceedings of a Symposium. Forestry Canada, Northwest Region and Poplar Council of Canada, Edmonton, Alberta. (71-76).