Upland afforestation: influences on stream hydrology and chemistry

Abstract. Afforestation in the British uplands can lead to changes in the hydrology, sediment load and chemistry of streams. These changes may affect water resource management costs, stream biota and the health of fisheries. Some of the changes can be related to specific phases of the forest management cycle, e.g. site preparation, fertilization, felling; modifications in management practice can limit their impact. Other changes in water yield and chemistry seem to have complex origins in forest-atmosphere and forest-soil interactions; these are more difficult to counteract.