Box 1.

An intact RF buffer zone reduced suspended solids and nutrient export to water bodies after forest clear cutting in Finland

The effect of clear cutting on leaching to water bodies was studied in eastern Finland from year 1979 and onwards by a paired catchments approach. In 1983, clear cutting was performed on 56–58% of the area in two catchments (Murtopuro and Kivipuro), and in 1986, soil preparations were performed. The first catchment was cut without any water protection measures, whereas in the second, an intact RF buffer zone with the width of 30-50 m was left between the cut area and the stream. In the Murtopuro catchment suspended solids, N and P leaching increased due to the treatment. However, in the Kivipuro catchment with the RF buffer zone, none of the factors increased (Ahtiainen and Huttunen 1999; Laurén et al. 2009). The measured effect on P is illustrated in Fig. 2.