The effects of Logging to the ForestsThe impact of logging on watersheds depends on several factors:
- The amount of canopy removed
- The amount of biomass removed (including how much slashed vegetation remains)
- Logging methods
- Timing: wet or dry season
- Soil conditions and topography
- Extend, nature and use of roads, skid traits and landings
- Methods, of slash disposal and site preparations
- How quickly regeneration occurs or reforestation is carried out
- Whether buffer strips of forest are along rivers
- Climatic events, such as heavy rains, after logging
- Removal of tree canopy understorey growth and litter reduces soil protection, and leads to greater raindrop impact and bare soil '
- Logging activities may change soil properties due to soil compaction, loss of organic material, and so on. This result in reduced infiltration and increased likelihood of soil erosion
- Removal of tree reduces transpiration, increases air movement and changes temperature.
- This changes evapotranspiration usually reducing it
- Removing tress reduces root mass and soil strength so that landslide are more likely to occur on slopes.
- In cloud forest logging reduces the water capture functions of forest, thereby reducing precipitation.
