Turkey Lakes tree harvesting impacts project: chapter 9

Harvesting Impacts on Headwater Streams

Land and water processes are closely linked around headwaters. These small streams are the source of water and nutrients for larger water bodies downstream.

Studies are examining how harvesting (tree removal and ground disturbance) alters organic matter inputs, nutrient inputs, and sediment loading. These changes may impact: aquatic insects (they play a critical ecological function in nutrient processing and food chain); fisheries habitat (which can be changed by sediment loading, water clarity, physical structure and complexity); and land-water ecological linkages.