• Aust, W. Michael
  College of Forestry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
  
• Mader, Stephen F.
  College of Forestry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
  
• Lea, Russ
  College of Forestry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
  

A tidal palustrine water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.)-baldcypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) swamp in southwestern Alabama was subjected to helicopter and rubber-tired skidder harvesting methods during fall, 1986. An adjacent undisturbed stand served as a control. Relative treatment impacts were determined by an investigation of soil physical, soil chemical, and hydrological properties. Measured soil physical properties were mechanical resistance, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and temperature. Examinations of soil chemical properties included reduction-oxidation potential, acidity, oxygen percentage, and total nitrogen and phosphorus of the soil water. Hydrology was quantified as seasonal and daily water table fluctuations and sedimentation rates. These parameters were used as indices of ecosystem functional changes. Values are reported for two growing seasons following harvest.