Soil Natural Recovery Process and Fagus orientalis Lipsky Seedling Growth after Timber Extraction by Wheeled Skidder

Tavankar, Farzam; Picchio, Rodolfo; Nikooy, Mehrdad; Jourgholami, Meghdad; Naghdi, Ramin; Latterini, Francesco; Venanzi, Rachele

doi:10.3390/land10020113

Cited by 22 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Therefore, soil preservation is a critical issue that is gaining attention with respect to global environmental policy (Binkley & Fisher 2013). Undisturbed forest soils have high macroporosity (MP) and low soil bulk density (BD) and are easily compacted by logging machinery (Lacey & Ryan 2000, Tavankar et al 2021, Labelle et al 2022. The use of heavy machinery in forest operations may seriously affect the soil ecosystem by inducing rutting, compaction and topsoil mixing, especially within the upper layers (Ampoorter et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects on soil physicochemical properties and seedling growth in mixed high forests caused by cable skidder traffic

Naghdi¹,

Tavankar²,

Solgi³

et al. 2023

iForest

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The use of wheel skidders for timber extraction from tree stump to roadside landing has become more and more widespread. Although the use of wheel skidders has the advantages of high production and reduced extraction costs, it also damages the soil and impedes forest regeneration. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of machine traffic using the Timberjack 450C (two, six and 15 passes) on two slope classes (SC) of skid trails. A low slope is considered to be <20% and a high slope is at >20%. The effects on soil physicochemical properties and seedling growth (alder, Alnus subcordata C.A. Mey. and maple, Acer velutinum Boiss.) in natural mixed beech stands in the Hyrcanian forests in Northern Iran were observed and studied. The results showed that the different factors of traffic intensity (TI) and SC had a significant impact on soil physicochemical properties and subsequent seedling growth. After two machine passes in a low TI on both low and high slopes, soil bulk density (BD) increased by 49.3% and 59.2% and penetration resistance increased by 30.5% and 38.5%, while total porosity decreased by 19.5% and 23.5%. The forest floor decreased by 30.9% and 42%, organic carbon decreased by 25.6% and 39.4%, nitrogen decreased by 18.5% and 26.3%, phosphorus decreased by 14.1% and 23%, and potassium decreased by 10.7% and 24.2%, respectively as compared with the control area. Our results indicated additional BD increments after two, six and 15 machine passes of 49.3%, 17.9% and 8.3% in the low slope, respectively, and 59.2%, 16.5% and 7.1% in the high slope, respectively. The mean of the germination rate (GR) of alder and maple seedlings in the control area was 58.3% and 46.1%, respectively, while after two, six and 15 passes, the GR of alder seedlings reduced to 50%, 46.4% and 37.5%, respectively, while that of maple seedlings reduced to 36.1%, 28.6% and 25.6%, respectively. Additionally, after two machine passes, stem length, main root length, and total dry biomass decreased by 28.7%, 34.9% and 34% in alder seedlings, respectively, and 27.9%, 27.6% and 33.3% in maple seedlings, respectively. Comparison of the response of the two seedling species to soil compaction showed that although alder had a higher GR than maple, the root growth of maple was higher than that of alder.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects on soil physicochemical properties and seedling growth in mixed high forests caused by cable skidder traffic

Naghdi¹,

Tavankar²,

Solgi³

et al. 2023

iForest

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“…Indeed, several studies have been conducted to assess forest utilization impacts on soil in beech forests, but the major part of these has been carried out outside Europe without taking into consideration soil biological features [16,32,33]. Furthermore, very little attention has been given to the evaluation of the impact on forest soil in beech stands of cut-to-length (CTL) machineries, as forwarders, except for one study dated 2003 referring to data from 1989-1991 [34].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variations of Soil Physico-Chemical and Biological Features after Logging Using Two Different Ground-Based Extraction Methods in a Beech High Forest—A Case Study

Venanzi

Latterini

Stefanoni

et al. 2022

Land

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Considering that forests are crucial in the ecosystem of our planet and that forests provide timber products as well as several ecosystem services, it is evident that the application of sustainable forest operations (SFOs) is of substantial importance to achieve sustainable forest management (SFM). One of the most important issues to be evaluated when dealing with SFOs is limiting the disturbance and impacts related to logging. Harvesting activities can indeed alter the conditions of soil through compaction and litter removal which can also lead to modifications from the biological point of view, for example, diminishing the presence of soil microarthropods. While keeping these objectives in focus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate physico-chemical and biological impacts on forest soil in Mediterranean beech forests after forest logging with two different extraction systems, which are forestry-fitted farm tractors equipped with winch and forwarder. Specifically, authors aimed to investigate: (i) soil disturbance levels of ground-based extraction methods; (ii) soil disturbance levels of the applied forestry intervention; (iii) soil disturbance levels between winching-skidding and forwarding. Findings showed that the physical, chemical, and biological soil features were slightly disturbed by the forestry itself. In addition, forest operations and machine traffic showed clear soil disturbance, resulting in a substantial alteration of the characteristics. Between the two extraction techniques tested, winching caused less disturbance while forwarding had stronger impacts. However, it should be noted that these impact levels are found only on approximately 28% of the surface where operations were carried out. From the evidence gathered in this study, winching seems a less impactful extraction method in the studied context. On the other hand, to decrease the impact of forwarding, some technical adjustments such as bogie-tracks, as well as improved operator training, should be applied.

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“…As a result, these phenomena led to a decrease in porosity [10], a reduction in the connection of pore spaces [11], and an increase in density and soil strength [12]. Soil compaction can further reduce water infiltration and gas exchange [13][14][15], with subsequent negative implications on soil macro-and microorganisms (e.g., earthworms) [6,10], penetration and elongation of root systems [16,17], and the growth of trees and seedlings [18,19]. As documented in previous studies, such impacts are generally long lasting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As documented in previous studies, such impacts are generally long lasting. Indeed, it can take several years to several decades to recover soil properties after compaction and restore it to the same pre-machine traffic conditions [2,9,10,19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Leaf Litter Mulching and Incorporation on Skid Trails for the Recovery of Soil Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties of Mixed Broadleaved Forests

Jourgholami

Khoramizadeh

Monaco

et al. 2021

Land

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Engineering applications can be used to mitigate the adverse effects of soil compaction and amend compacted soils. Previous literature has highlighted the beneficial effects of interventions such as litter mulching and incorporation on skid trails. However, little is known about the effectiveness of these alternatives in restoring forest soil quality after forest logging. The objective of this study was to properly elucidate the effects of the above mentioned soil protection methods, litter incorporation before skidding (LI) and litter mulching after skidding (LM), on the recovery of compacted soil’s physico-chemical and biological properties on skid trails over a 2-year period in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran to identify the best option for restoration intervention. The litter used in both methods consisted of dried leaves of the hornbeam and maple tree in three intensities of 3, 6, and 9 Mg ha−1. The results showed that the application of both methods (LI and LM) significantly improved the soil properties when compared to the untreated skid trail. Results showed that the recovery values of soil properties in the LI treatments were significantly higher than those of the LM. The recovery values of soil properties by 6 and 9 Mg ha−1 were significantly higher than those of 3 Mg ha−1, while the differences were not significant between 6 and 9 Mg ha−1. Our findings showed that soil properties were partially recovered (70–80%) over a 2-year period from treatment, compared to untreated, but the full recovery of soil properties required more time to return to the pre-harvest value. Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that the application of soil protection methods accelerates the process of recovering soil properties much faster than natural soil recovery, which can take more than 20 years in these forests.

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Soil Natural Recovery Process and Fagus orientalis Lipsky Seedling Growth after Timber Extraction by Wheeled Skidder

Cited by 22 publications

References 54 publications

Effects on soil physicochemical properties and seedling growth in mixed high forests caused by cable skidder traffic

Effects on soil physicochemical properties and seedling growth in mixed high forests caused by cable skidder traffic

Variations of Soil Physico-Chemical and Biological Features after Logging Using Two Different Ground-Based Extraction Methods in a Beech High Forest—A Case Study

Evaluation of Leaf Litter Mulching and Incorporation on Skid Trails for the Recovery of Soil Physico-Chemical and Biological Properties of Mixed Broadleaved Forests

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