Sometime we win...National Forests and Wildlife Refuge

Forests provide watersheds where a large part of the population gets their water supply. Overland flow in forests is rare and has not been documented. A forest accumulates large amounts of organic matter in the surface soil horizon. Often there is a duff layer of several inches or much more. These layers act like a sponge to absorb water and release it slowy. Even a clear cut forest has a very large root mass in the surface 3 feet that holds the soil mantle in place. It lasts for approximately 7 years before it decays. A forest canopy intercepts rainfall impact. So does the slash left even after clean up and slash disposal.