Final answer:
Clear-cut forests lead to increased soil erosion, nutrient depletion, altered soil chemistry, and microclimate changes compared to intact forests, which provide protective leaf litter, moderate microclimates, and preserve soil integrity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Soils located near clear-cut forests may differ from soils near intact forests for several reasons. In intact forests, trees moderate temperatures, reduce wind impact, alter rainfall patterns, and contribute to soil nutrients through leaf litter, which also protects against soil erosion. On the other hand, clear-cut forests lack this vegetative cover, leading to direct rainfall impact, increased erosion, and reduced soil nutrients as the protective organic layer is removed. Furthermore, forests influence the hydrologic cycle, with intact forests intercepting rainfall and moderating water extremes better than cleared land. Edge effects from forest fragmentation also alter soil moisture and structure.
The impact of clear-cutting on soil includes increased erosion rates, alterations to soil chemistry due to the loss of leaf litter, changes in topography from root systems exposure, and the loss of the moderating effects of forests on the microclimate, which affects the soil conditions. In tropical regions, the soil is nutrient-poor, relying heavily on the organic layer from the forest canopy for nourishment. Deforestation can lead to soil nutrient depletion, making it difficult for forests to regenerate.