Changes of key soil parameters five years after forest harvesting suggest slow regeneration of disturbed soil

Martin, Jay K.; Allman, Michal; Allmanová, Zuzana; Ferenčík, Michal; Vlčková, Mária

doi:10.1080/10549811.2018.1549500

Cited by 9 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Terrain-related factors are normally inherent to a harvest site and are thereby difficult to adjust, particularly once operations are on-going. However, despite the reduced possibilities for alterations, factors such as slope [12,23,[28][29][30][31],…”

Section: Terrain-related Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…soil water content at the time of harvesting [9,11,13,30], soil texture [23,32], initial soil bulk density, relative bulk density [21], organic matter content, and duff thickness [31] can all play an important role in how a soil will physically respond to ground-based machine traffic (Table 1). In the context of this article, slope is referred to as the longitudinal incline or decline of the terrain located on machine operating trails.…”

Section: Terrain-related Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of Soil Physical Disturbances Caused by Forest Machinery: a Comprehensive Review

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose of Review Ground-based mechanized forest operations can cause severe soil disturbances that are often long lasting and detrimental to the health of forested ecosystems. To reduce these soil disturbances, focus is being increasingly directed at identifying and using appropriate mitigation techniques. This systematic review considered 104 scientific articles and reported the main findings according to four core themes: terrain-related factors, operational planning, machine modifications, and types of amendments used to mitigate machine-induced soil impacts. Recent Findings For terrain-related factors, most severe disturbances occur on machine operating trails exceeding 20% slope and that soil bulk density and rut depth show greater increases in fine-textured soils. When considering operational planning, trafficability maps proved to be helpful in reducing the frequency and magnitude of soil damages as well as the length of trails needed within harvest sites, especially if they are regularly updated with weather information. Machine modifications, through high flotation tires, use of extra bogie axle, lower inflation pressure, and use of steel flexibles tracks, are highly researched topics because of the considerable upside in terms of machine ground pressure distribution and increased traction. Two main types of amendments emerged to mitigate soil disturbances: brush mats and mulch cover. Brush mats created from harvesting debris can spread the load of a machine to a greater area thereby lowering peak loads transferred to the soil. Brush mats of 15–20 kg m−2 are being recommended for adequate soil protection from harvesting operations. Summary To conclude, we outline recommendations and strategies on the use of soil mitigation techniques within cut-to-length forest operations. New research opportunities are also identified and discussed. Considering single factors causing machine-induced soil disturbances remains important but there is a pressing need for having a multi-disciplinary approach to tackle the complex problems associated with machine/soil/plant interactions.

show abstract

Section: Terrain-related Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Terrain-related Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of Soil Physical Disturbances Caused by Forest Machinery: a Comprehensive Review

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In a previous study, BD was reported to increase by 28% (0-10 cm soil depth), 12% (10-20 cm soil depth), and 34% (20-30 cm soil depth) as a consequence of forwarder traffic (1 and 5 round-trips) on silt loam in a mixed forest (consisting of 60% Pinus koraiensis) in Korea [41]. Goutal et al [1] observed an increase in BD of 6% (30-40 cm soil depth) and 27% (0-10 cm soil depth) following the traffic of a forwarder, while Jankovský et al [10] reported an increase in BD ranging from 35 to 38% following machine traffic. These studies also confirmed that increased BD on the soil surface can lead to poor gas diffusion between soil and atmosphere [42].…”

Section: Soil Physical Properties Following Machine Trafficmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Severe soil disturbances and impacts on soil physical properties, such as soil compaction, rutting, and soil displacement can occur during mechanized harvesting operations [8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Soil bulk density (BD) is an indicator that defines compaction [11]. Soil compaction diminishes porosity and pore continuity, which results in increased BD [10,12,13]. In addition, changes to the size of soil pores involve the reduction of macro-pores and induction of micro-pores which reduces hydraulic conductivity [14] and lead to problems with water infiltration and increased runoff [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effect of Heavy Machine Traffic on Soil CO2 Concentration and Efflux in a Pinus koraiensis Thinning Stand

Kim

Han

Acuña

et al. 2021

Forests

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mechanized timber harvesting is cost efficient and highly productive. However, mechanized harvesting operations are often associated with several environmental problems, including soil compaction and disturbance. Soil compaction impedes air circulation between the soil and atmosphere, which in turn results in increased concentrations of CO2 within soil pores. In this study, we investigated the impact of forest machine traffic on soil conditions to determine soil CO2 efflux (Fc), and soil CO2 concentrations (Sc). Field measurements included soil bulk density (BD), soil temperature (ST), soil water content (SWC), Fc, and Sc over a 3-year period at a specific thinning operation site (Hwacheon-gun) in the Gangwon Province of Korea. To assess the soil impacts associated with machine traffic, we established four machine-treatment plots (MT) characterized by different geographical and traffic conditions. The results revealed that BD, Sc, and SWC increased significantly on the disturbed track areas (p < 0.05). Furthermore, reduced soil Fc values were measured on the soil-compacted (machine disturbed) tracks in comparison with undisturbed (control) areas. Variations in BD, SWC, and Sc were significantly different among the four MT plots. Additionally, in comparison with undisturbed areas, lower Fc and higher Sc values were obtained in compacted areas with high soil temperatures.

show abstract

Could timber winching operations be cleaner? An evaluation of two options in terms of residual stand damage, soil disturbance and operational efficiency

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Forests provide multiple services, products and values and finding ways to preserve their multifunctionality is important. However, all of the currently used harvesting systems produce some degree of environmental damage, potentially affecting the provision services on the long term. Skidding operations are common in many regions of the world. Skidding may suppose three operational steps: winching, strip-road skidding and landing operations. By using cables for winching, wounds are commonly inflicted to the residual trees, while the mechanical traction of logs may cause damage to the residual trees and soil. This study was designed to check if the use of pans during winching deployed in thinning operations of coniferous forests may help lowering the environmental impact in terms of damage to residual trees and soil, while accounting for operational efficiency of such operations. Four treatments were considered and framed around the winching direction (uphill, downhill) and the use of protective devices (use, nonuse) and detailed data was collected on the residual stand damage, soil damage and time consumption. The main finding was that uphill winching by the use of a pan performed the best in terms of lowering the environmental damage. It shown the smallest wounds by their average area per tree, the lowest number of wounds per tree, the lowest rate of wounding per hectare, as well as one of the lowest rates of soil damage. By excluding delays, working with a pan did not cause additional time consumption, supporting acceptable rates of operational efficiency. Further experiments would be needed to validate and extend the results of this study, as the forests and their type of management are heterogeneous systems in terms of terrain configuration and slope, soil, species, stand density, removal intensity, operational timing and operational conditions.

show abstract

Changes of key soil parameters five years after forest harvesting suggest slow regeneration of disturbed soil

Cited by 9 publications

References 26 publications

Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of Soil Physical Disturbances Caused by Forest Machinery: a Comprehensive Review

Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of Soil Physical Disturbances Caused by Forest Machinery: a Comprehensive Review

Effect of Heavy Machine Traffic on Soil CO2 Concentration and Efflux in a Pinus koraiensis Thinning Stand

Could timber winching operations be cleaner? An evaluation of two options in terms of residual stand damage, soil disturbance and operational efficiency

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About