Impacts of off-road traffic on soil physical properties of forest clear-cuts: X-ray and laboratory analysis. Issue 2 (17th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hansson, Linnea J.; Koestel, John; Ring, Eva; Gärdenäs, Annemieke I.
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of forest research. Volume 33:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 166
• Page End: 177
• Publication Date: 2018-02-17
• Subjects: Soil compaction -- forestry -- computed tomography -- hydraulic conductivity -- macropores -- X-ray; Forests and forestry -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; Forests and forestry -- Periodicals; Forests and forestry -- Research -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 634.90948
• DOI: 10.1080/02827581.2017.1339121
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0282-7581

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Due to the great year-round demand for forest products, off-road forestry traffic occurs even when the ground is susceptible to soil compaction and rutting. We investigated the impacts of repeated passes with a laden forwarder (34 Mg) on the soil physical properties of two clear-cuts on stony till soils in northern Sweden. Core samples ( n = 71) were collected from the top 5 cm of mineral soil in and beside wheel tracks, after six passes with the forwarder. Soil physical properties were quantified using classical soil physical analyses and X-ray tomography. The hydraulic conductivity was 70% lower in the wheel tracks than in the soil beside. The X-ray image analysis indicated that this was due to the smaller total volume and lower connectivity of structural pores ( φ > 60 µm). Total porosity was 24% and 12% lower in the tracks at the two sites respectively, and mean bulk density was 1.39 g cm −3 in the tracks, compared to 1.13 g cm −3 beside them. To conclude, traffic changed the soil physical properties in a way that may lead to longer periods of high water content in the wheel tracks, increased risk of surface runoff and insufficient aeration for optimal seedling growth. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: