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277 Balsjö Paired Catchment Study Print E-mail
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A Research Site to Investigate the Effects of Forestry Operations on the Hydrology and Biogeochemistry of Boreal Streams.





Balsjo_overview_map_BW__Bal1_2The Balsjö paired catchment study (277 Balsjö) in northern Sweden (N 64° 1′ 37″ E 18° 55′ 43″) was set up to investigate the effects of forestry operations on water quality (Löfgren et al., 2009).

Within the first stage of the experiment clear-cutting effects on hydrology (Sørensen et al., 2009b), major ion concentrations in stream water (Löfgren et al., 2009) were quantified. Further, leaching of DOC (Laudon et al., 2009) as well as mercury mobilization after clear-cutting (Sørensen et al., 2009a) were investigated.

The experimental set up is located approximately 70 km west of the city of Umeå. The study area consists of four headwater catchments that drain into the River Balån. Stream monitoring began in April 2004 at four first-order catchments as well as two locations at the main stem of the Balån River. Clear-cutting took place in spring 2006 in two of the first-order streams. All clear-cut sites were further site prepared in May 2008 (see Schelker et al., 2012 for more information).

Vegetation in all catchments is typical for the Balsj_google_maps_site_BS-5boreal regions in Scandinavia. Norway spruce (Picea abies) dominates in the lower and middle elevations and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) can be found in upland areas. In wetter areas, as e.g. along stream channels, birch (Betula sp.) is also present. After the site-preparation pine tree seeds (Pinus sylvestris) were planted to promote forest regeneration.














Members of the Balsjö Team:

Further this project is performed with the support of Holmen AB, which are kindly hosting the experiments on their land.



Publications of the 277 Balsjö Experiment:

Schelker J, Eklöf K, Bishop K, Laudon H (2012) Effects of Forestry Operations on Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) Concentrations and Export in Boreal First-Order Streams. Journal of Geophysical Research, 117 (G1), G01011.


AMBIO 38 (7), 2009 Special Issue on the Balsjö Experiment:

Bishop K, Allan C, Bringmark L et al. (2009), The effects of forestry on Hg bioaccumulation in cover_Ambio_2009
nemoral/boreal waters and recommendations for good silvicultural practice, Ambio, 38 (7), 373-380

Laudon, H., J. Hedtjärn, J. Schelker, K. Bishop, R. Sørensen, and A. Ågren (2009), Response of Dissolved Organic Carbon following Forest Harvesting in a Boreal Forest, Ambio, 38 (7), 381-386.

Löfgren, S., E. Ring, C. von Brömssen, R. Sørensen, and L. Högbom (2009), Short-term Effects of Clear-cutting on the Water Chemistry of Two Boreal Streams in Northern Sweden: A Paired Catchment Study, Ambio, 38 (7), 347-356.

Sørensen, R., M. Meili, L. Lambertsson, C. von Brömssen, and K. Bishop (2009), The Effects of Forest Harvest Operations on Mercury and Methylmercury in Two Boreal Streams: Relatively Small Changes in the First Two Years prior to Site Preparation, Ambio, 38 (7), 364-372.

Sørensen, R., E. Ring, M. Meili, L. Hogbom, J. Seibert, T. Grabs, H. Laudon, and K. Bishop (2009), Forest Harvest Increases Runoff Most during Low Flows in Two Boreal Streams, Ambio, 38 (7), 357-363.


For more information please contact Jakob Schelker.