Potential Environmental Impacts of Bioenergy Harvesting on Water
Potential Environmental Impacts of Bioenergy Harvesting on Water
Aspect | Potential Issues | Contributing Activity | Examples of Mitigating Practices |
Ecosystem hydrologic flux:
| Compaction creating impermeable soils Changes in leaf surface area after harvesting or plantation development: alterations in interception and transpiration: changes in the water table Excessive use of groundwater for irrigation can raise or lower ecosystem water table Negative, long-term changes in net hydrologic flux | Removal of protective slash roadbed Failure to re-vegetate following clearcutting Energy plantation establishment Irrigation of | Manage for healthy soils Avoid short-rotation woody cropping systems where irrigation causes deleterious changes in groundwater levels
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Physical properties of adjacent waterbodies:
| Soil exposure: increased overland flow: erosion and sedimentation: increased turbidity Increased light penetration when basal area and cover of harvested riparian stands is inadequate Effectiveness of streamside management zones (SMZs) | Harvesting intensity, retention of forest floor and harvest slash Time of year and soil condition during operations Selection and use of equipment Road design, location and construction Stream crossings | Manage for healthy soils Follow Best Management Practices (BMPs) for maintaining water quality for each of the southern States |
Chemical properties of adjacent water bodies:
| Changes in the buffering capacity of the soil: lake acidification and mobilization of toxic elements (e.g., Al) Subsurface and lateral flow of pesticides and fertilizers to adjacent water bodies Transport of topsoil into watercourses Nutrient flushes: algal blooms: reduced oxygen levels in water | Management activities that result in excessive leaching of N and P Inappropriate application of recycled wood ash Inappropriate fertilizer or pesticide management practices Exposure of soil to erosion | Manage for healthy soils Follow Best Management Practices for maintaining water quality available for each of the southern States |
Biological properties | Increased turbidity, temperature changes, changes in water chemistry, toxic compound accumulation and removal of organic substrates can all have negative ecological consequences, including disruption of spawning and fish kills Toxic compound accumulation can affect aquatic life | See activities under “Physical properties” and “Chemical properties” | Manage for healthy soils Follow Best Management Practices for maintaining water quality available for each of the southern States |
Permission of Use: Used with Permission of Brenna Lattimore and Tat Smith 2/13/08
