Soil Erosion in the Eastern Forest

Abstract

Abstract This paper provides an overview of what is known about forest soil erosion in eastern United States. By most accounts, erosion from undisturbed as well as carefully managed forest land is 0.05 to 0.10 ton/acre/year; that is less than the geologic norm (0.18 to 0.30) and far less than maximum tolerable rates for agricultural land (1 to 5 tons/acre/year). Eroded material is about equal parts of particulate and dissolved matter. Responsibly managed timber harvest causes only minor increases in forest soil erosion, usually from channels and logging roads, but irresponsible timber harvest can increase erosion of particulate matter to unacceptable levels.