Accomplishments & Ecological Effects of Site Preparation

Site Preparation Practice	Accomplishment				Major ecological concerns
	Debris	Competition	Soil prep	Micro environment
Shearing		XXX	X	XX	Compaction, erosion, soil displacement
Piling∗	XXX	XX	X	XX	Compaction, erosion, soil displacement, nutrient drain,increased soil temperature
Burning	X	XX		XX	Air pollution, erosion, nutrient losses
Chemical		XX		XX	Water pollution
Chopping	XX	X	X	XX	Greater soil protection, retains nutrients, improves soil water, buffers soil temp
Discing		XXX	XXX	XXX	Erosion, puddling, increased soil temp., improved nutrients and water
Bedding		XXX	XXX	XXX	Erosion, improved nutrients, aeration, and water

X = Moderate effect, XX = Large effect, XXX = Major Effect
∗= Includes rood-raking, windrowing,debris removal in from of planting machine.

Service Forester's Handbook