Soil hydrophysical degradation associated with forest operations. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdi, Ehsan; Moghadamirad, Mostafa; Hayati, Elyas; Jaeger, Dirk
• Is Part Of: Forest science and technology. Volume 13:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 152
• Page End: 157
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: Forest transportation system -- infiltration -- soil damage -- soil resistance -- skid trail; Forests and forestry -- Periodicals; Forests and forestry -- Korea (South) -- Periodicals; Forests and forestry -- Research -- Periodicals; Forests and forestry; Forests and forestry -- Research; Korea (South); Periodicals; 634.9
• DOI: 10.1080/21580103.2017.1387611
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2158-0103

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Skid trails in the Hyrcanian forest of northern Iran are important for moving wood to log landings; however, they can cause soil compaction and alter water infiltration. This research therefore presents an analysis of the impact of ground-based skidding on soil hydrophysical properties in Kuhmiyan forest located in the Hyrcanian forest. Soil infiltration, bulk density, and soil resistance to penetration have been studied at three different depths of soil along the skid trails. Three sampling locations were considered: wheel ruts, center of skid trails, and undisturbed forest (control). The results showed that the total infiltration rate, and also the instantaneous infiltration rate, were significantly higher in the control treatment. The results also showed an increase of 57% and 31% for the soil bulk density at wheel ruts and centers of skid trails compared to the control. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between soil resistance in the control and the other two treatments, with wheel ruts having the highest resistance. According to the results, there was a strong negative correlation between infiltration and soil resistance ( r = –0.94), and between infiltration and bulk density ( r = –0.93). Using a protective layer of slash and logging debris and residual on skid trails can be highly recommended to moderate soil compaction and mitigate the destructive impact of logging equipment.