Environmental impacts of the acid atmospheric deposition and forest clear-cut in a mountain catchment
Abstract
In the 1980s, the acid atmospheric deposition in Central Europe has resulted in the decline and rapid harvest of spruce plantations. In mountain watersheds, fragmented forests and the extensive spread of clearings dominated in 1980s and 1990s.
Since 1982, environmental aspects of acid load, forest die-back and clear-cut of spruce stands were studied in the Jizerka experimental basin, the Jizera Mts., Czech Republic. It is evident, that forestry practices can significantly influence the acidification of soils and waters.
The recent recovery of surface waters in the Jizerka basin results from both the drop in sulphur emissions, and the reduction of spruce stands. Grass ecosystems in clear-cut sites are competitive in the process of reforestation but effective in the control of soil erosion and reclamation of erosion rills.