EFFECTS OF DEFORESTATION ON SLOPES

The creep and stability of slopes before and after logging have been analyzed. The following effects of vegetation were included in the theory: (1) The root system provides mechanical reinforcement of the soil; (2) vegetation provides a vertical surcharge; (3) wind in trees causes surface shears and moments; and (4) soil moistures content and water level are modified. It has been found that immediately after log removal the reduction in the overburden decreases the creep rate. Also, this reduction and the drop in wind loading increases the slope stability. The immediate effect of deforestation is, therefore, favorable, but adverse effects become evident when the root system decays and when a drop in evapotranspiration causes a rise in the water table. /ASCE/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3519342
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Brown, C B
  • Sheu, M S
• Publication Date: 1975-2

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 147-165
• Serial:
  • Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Volume: 101
  • Issue Number: GT2
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1090-0241
  • Serial URL: http://ojps.aip.org/gto

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Creep; Forests; Logging; Overburdens; Roots; Slope stability; Soil water; Vegetation; Water table; Wind
• Old TRIS Terms: Clearing and grubbing; Creep rate; Roots (Plants)
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00083655
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE #11141 Proc Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 22 1975 12:00AM