Forests have an equally important impact on aquatic systems because they 

 moderate the discharge of water (surface or underground runoff) to aquatic 

 systems. Precipitation is held in trees and vegetation in forests, and in the 

 organic matter in the soil. Much of the water is absorbed by the roots and 

 transpired or evaporated directly from the plant surfaces. This reduces the 

 amount that reaches streams, rivers, or lakes. The vegetation and organic 

 matter on the forest floor reduces surface runoff, which increases the time it 

 takes for water to reach streams, and distributes the runoff over a longer 

 period of time. As a result, flooding in streams and rivers draining forest 

 land is less severe than in those draining agricultural or developed lands, 

 where runoff is more rapid. The "insulative" protection of forest vegetation 

 delays the melting of snow in the spring, a time when flooding is usually most 

 severe. In addition, the ground under forests is usually not frozen (as is 

 the case in open areas such as agricultural land) and much melting snow can be 

 absorbed and further delayed as it filters underground to streams. Moderation 

 of runoff is important not only to the water bodies directly receiving this 

 discharge but to all the aquatic systems it subsequently reaches (e.g., large 

 rivers, lakes, estuaries). 



IMPORTANCE TO HUMANITY 



One of the greatest values of Maine's forests is economic: the commercial use 

 of timber products. Maine's timber resources are used for pulp and paper, 

 sawlogs, veneer logs, cooperage, pilings, posts, poles, and fuelwood (Ferguson 

 and Kingsley 1972). Maine's forest products accounted for 41% of the total 

 value of the State's manufacturued products in 1975 ($11.5 billion) and the 

 industry employed 25% of Maine's work force with a combined payroll of $201 

 million (30% of the State total). A major share of Maine's economy is 

 dependent on the forest system. Coastal Maine has 20% of the State's 

 commercial forest land and accounted for 17% of the State's total timber 

 harvest in 1970 (Ferguson and Kingsley 1972). Many of the primary wood 

 processing plants that manufacture goods from timber are located along the 

 coast, mainly in the midcoast and southern coastal regions. 



The use of wood to heat homes and other buildings is becoming increasingly 

 important to Maine. The increased demand on Maine's forests for the less 

 desirable hardwoods that are used for heating (such as red maple and gray and 

 paper birch) could adversely affect the functioning of forest systems. As 

 pointed out earlier, these species, most of which are early successional 

 species, are important to the reorganization of forest systems after 

 disturbance from logging and help to regain control over the site and rebuild 

 the store of nutrient and organic matter in the forest floor. Cutting these 

 stands at short rotations could deplete the sites and not allow them to 

 replenish nutrients and organic matter. 



In addition to the economic values associated with Maine's forests, these 

 systems are perhaps the most important habitats for outdoor recreation in 

 Maine. Forests are used for numerous outdoor activities, which include 

 camping, hiking, snowmobiling, hunting, trapping, skiing, and sightseeing. 

 Maine's forests also help to maintain the quality of the streams and rivers 

 that drain forest land and which support recreation, including fishing and 

 canoeing. The unspoiled, remote nature of the State's forest systems draw 

 many tourists each year. 



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