Swanson, Frederick J.; Clayton, James L.; Megahan, Walter F.; Bush, George. 1989. Erosional processes and long-term site productivity. In: Perry, D. A.; Meurisse, R.; Thomas, B.; Miller, R.; Boyle, J.; Means, J.; Perry, C. R.; Powers, R. F., eds. Maintaining the long-term productivity of Pacific Northwest forest ecosystems. Portland, OR: Timber Press: 67-81.
Both natural and management-imposed disturbances of forest ecosystems lead to accelerated soil erosion. However, the areal extent, degree, and duration of management-accelerated erosion vary among erosion processes. Some studies report dramatic increases in surface and debris-slide erosion for periods of a year to a decade or more following clearcutting and slash burning. However, the long-term (multirotational) consequences of these periods of accelerated erosion are unknown at present. In a few situations in the Pacific Northwest, erosion alone appears to have been the primary cause of pronounced, extensive (10+ha), and prolonged (rotation time scale) reduction of site productivity. More commonly, where severe disturbance has diminished site productivity, erosion acts in combination with other factors, such as loss of nutrients, soil biota such as mycorrhizae, and soil organic matter. Loss of biological integrity of a site leads to loss of physical stability, and the resulting erosion may prolong the period of recovery.