Outside influences can alter these conditions if the area is too small or fragmented. On the proposed golf course site, shallow soils and poor drainage result in shallow rooting of trees. When exposed, as for example along the edges of fairways, such trees are subject to blowdown. Blowdown, once started, is often an ongoing problem as falling trees damage neighbouring trees in a "domino effect". Evidence of blowdown is present along the edges of old clearcut areas on the site. Evidence such as branch and crown patterns, direction of leaning trees and direction of fallen trees suggests that storm winds blow from the south. Under the proposed plan, the greatest length of exposed forest edge would be on the south side of the largest old-growth patch, directly vulnerable to the storm winds. Increasing the amount of exposed forest edge through the cutting of fairways would introduce damage from wind into larger areas of the forest. Edge effects such as root damage from construction and introduction of species not usually found in deep forest would further alter the natural character of the forest. All these problems could destroy the remnant old-growth forest patches in the long term.