Which term describes the phenomenon when forests disrupt nutrient balance after tree harvesting?

The term that accurately describes the phenomenon when forest ecosystems experience a disruption in their nutrient balance following tree harvesting is nutrient depletion. When trees are removed, the soil loses not only the vegetation that contributes to the nutrient cycle but also significant organic matter that returns nutrients to the soil when leaves break down. This removal can lead to a decline in soil fertility over time, affecting plant growth and overall ecosystem health.

In contrast, leaching refers to the process where nutrients are washed away from the soil, particularly through heavy rainfall, which can occur in some cases but is not specific to harvesting. Eutrophication is primarily associated with the enrichment of water bodies due to excess nutrients, leading to algal blooms, but is not directly related to forest harvesting. Soil compaction occurs when heavy machinery is used during logging processes, which can impact soil structure but does not directly address the nutrient balance disruption in the same way nutrient depletion does.