Fig. 1.

Conceptual view of nutrient fluxes through the RF (a) before and (b) after clear cutting in the area upslope of the RF. Clear cut increases the flow of water and nutrients into the RF. A fraction of the nutrient flux can be taken up by vegetation and microbes or absorbed in the soil matrix of the RF. Evapotranspiration is deceased after the cut and thus the ground water table might rise somewhat, which then again may increase the risk of overland flow and erosion in wheel tracks or other micro-topographic furrows