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Modelling the effects of logging on the water balance of a tropical rain forest. A study in Guyana.

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Authors: Jetten, V.G.

Guyana - 1994

ISBN: 90-5113-018-X

ISSN: 1383-6811

Language: English

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The study contributes to the insight in the various biological and physical processes of tropical rain forests. It describes the water balance of an undisturbed rain forest and the impact of low intensity commercial timber extraction. On the basis of detailed information on soil properties and meteorological data, a model was developed describing the functioning of a watershed. Some important conclusions were drawn for the water balance in undisturbed forests in the research area: hydrology appears to have an important influence on the spatial distribution of tree species; hydrological characteristics of the forest types also show a large spatial variability; evapotranspiration constitutes 55% of the annual rainfall, percolation and overland flow together 45% on nearly all studied soil types.The observed differences in ground water level and discharge before and after logging could not be related directly to logging. The study concluded that the selected logging intensity has no detectable influence on the catchment water balance.

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