scholarly journals Soil deformation and its recovery in logging trails of drained boreal peatlands

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 743-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lepilin ◽  
A. Laurén ◽  
J. Uusitalo ◽  
E.-S. Tuittila

Forestry-drained peatlands occupy approximately 15 million ha in boreal and temperate zones. In Finland, they represent almost one-fourth of the total forest area. They are subjected to the same harvesting operations as upland forests. Although the soil deformation caused by timber harvesting is well documented in upland forests, the knowledge on the soil disturbance induced by the harvesting machinery on peat soils is still lacking. To address this, we collected soil samples from six peatland sites that were thinned using a harvester–forwarder combination. Peat samples were taken from the trails formed by the machinery and outside the trails to a depth of 10 cm. To assess the recovery of soil properties after the disturbance, we sampled sites along a chronosequence with respect to time since harvesting. Soil deformation under the machinery appeared to increase the bulk density and field capacity of peat and decrease its total porosity; however, disturbed plots and control plots started to resemble each other in their soil properties within 15 years. The results imply that peat soil is sensitive to disturbance but has a high recovery potential.

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 681-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Blouin ◽  
M. G. Schmidt ◽  
C. E. Bulmer ◽  
M. Krzic

Forest landings are areas located adjacent to haul roads where harvested trees that were skidded from the cutblock are processed and loaded onto trucks. Soils on landings are often excessively compacted by heavy timber harvesting machinery and may take many years to recover from such disturbance. This study examined soil properties and tree growth on unrehabilitated landings (with and without natural regeneration) and adjacent naturally regenerated clearcuts in the central interior of British Columbia (BC), 23 yr after landing construction. Landings (both with and without natural regeneration) had less favorable conditions for tree growth than did clearcuts, including significantly greater surface soil bulk density and mechanical resistance (on some dates) and lower total porosity and concentrations of C and N. Landings without natural regeneration had the least favorable soil conditions, which may account for the lack of natural regeneration. Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) growing on portions of the landings did not differ in height from those growing in adjacent clearcuts. Site index, as estimated using the growth intercept method, did not differ between naturally regenerated landings (21.7 m) and clearcuts (22.0 m), suggesting that the soils may be equally capable of supporting productive forests. Key words: Forest soil disturbance, soil mechanical resistance, soil productivity, soil water content, natural regeneration


Author(s):  
Dmitrii Lepilin ◽  
Annamari (Ari) Laurén ◽  
Jori Uusitalo ◽  
Raija Laiho ◽  
Hannu Fritze ◽  
...  

In the boreal region, peatland forests are a significant resource of timber. Under pressure from a growing bioeconomy and climate change, timber harvesting is increasingly occurring over unfrozen soils. This is likely to cause disturbance in the soil biogeochemistry. We studied the impact of machinery-induced soil disturbance on the vegetation, microbes, and soil biogeochemistry of drained boreal peatland forests caused by machinery traffic during thinning operations. To assess potential recovery, we sampled six sites that ranged in time since thinning from a few months to 15 years. Soil disturbance directly decreased moss biomass and led to an increase in sedge cover and a decrease in root production. Moreover, soil CO2 production potential, and soil CO2 and CH4 concentrations were greater in recently disturbed areas than in the control areas. In contrast, CO2 and CH4 emissions, microbial biomass and structure, and the decomposition rate of cellulose appeared to be uncoupled and did not show signs of impact. While the impacted properties varied in their rate of recovery, they all fully recovered within 15 years covered by our chronosequence study. Conclusively, drained boreal peatlands appeared to have high biological resilience to soil disturbance caused by forest machinery during thinning operations.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 821-830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derrick A. Reeves ◽  
Matthew C. Reeves ◽  
Ann M. Abbott ◽  
Deborah S. Page-Dumroese ◽  
Mark D. Coleman

Soil properties and forest productivity can be affected during ground-based harvest operations and site preparation. The degree of impact varies widely depending on topographic features and soil properties. Forest managers who understand site-specific limits to ground-based harvesting can alter harvest method or season to limit soil disturbance. To determine the potential areal extent of detrimental (potentially plant growth limiting) soil disturbance based on site characteristics and season of harvest, we developed a predictive model based on soil monitoring data collected from 167 ground-based harvest units. Data collected included dominant site parameters (e.g., slope, aspect, soil texture, and landtype), harvest season, harvest type (intermediate or regeneration), and the machine(s) used during ground-based harvest operations. Aspect (p = 0.0217), slope (p = 0.0738), landtype (p = 0.0002), and the interaction of harvest season × landtype (p = 0.0002) were the key variables controlling the areal extent and magnitude of detrimental soil disturbance. For example, harvesting during non-winter months on gently rolling topography resulted in greater soil disturbance than similar harvest operations on landscapes that are highly dissected. This is likely due to the ease with which equipment can move off designated trails. A geospatially explicit predictive model was developed using general linear model variables found to significantly influence the areal extent of detrimental soil disturbance on nine defined landtypes. This tool provides a framework that, with local calibration, can be used on other forest lands as a decision support tool to geospatially depict landtypes susceptible to detrimental soil disturbance during ground-based harvest operations.


1988 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Reisinger ◽  
Gerry L. Simmons ◽  
Phillip E. Pope

Abstract Mechanization of timber harvesting operations in the South has increased concern about the detrimental impact that heavy machine traffic has on soil physical properties and site productivity. Improperly timed harvesting operations have potentially detrimental effects on forest soils and the growth of seedlings Foresters and other land managers must be aware of the potential soil disturbance caused by heavy machines, and apply methods that minimize long-term site quality degradation attributable, directly or indirectly, to mechanized equipment. Research literature about the effects of timber harvesting on soil properties and seedling growth is summarized. Various types of harvesting equipment commonly used in the South are examined and the degrees of soil disturbance and compaction associated with each system are compared Changes in soil physical properties resulting from compaction are also reviewed as they relate to the establishment and growth of seedlings. Recommendations are made to minimize the detrimental effects of machine traffic on forest soils. South. J. Appl. For. 12(1):58-67


Author(s):  
T. H. H. Khalifa ◽  
M. S. Elsaka ◽  
M. A. Shabana ◽  
H. M. Abo-Elsoud

Aims: To evaluate the effect of zeolite and mineral fertilizers on some soil properties, availability of soil nutrients and yield of Jew’s mallow (Corchorus olitorius) in clayey and sandy soils. Study Design: The experimental designed as split plot design with three replicates, the main plots were devoted to zeolite at the rates of 0, 4.76 and 9.52 Mg ha-1 and the sub plots were occupied by mineral fertilizers at the rates of 50% and 100% from the recommended NPK doses. Place and Duration of Study: During spring and summer seasons of 2018, the field experiments were conducted in Sakha Agricultural Research Station Farm (clayey soil) and private farm at Baltium district (sandy soil). Methodology: Jew’s mallow grains (Alexandria variety). Soil samples were collected at (0-30 cm depth) in the initial of experiment and after harvesting with the aid of soil auger at random from different parts of the experimental sites to determine the physicochemical and soil moisture characteristics of the soil. Growth characteristics (plant height and fresh mass weight) were studied. Results: The results showed that ECe, SAR and bulk density values were decreased, while CEC, total porosity, field capacity, permanent wilting point and available water values increased due to application of 9.52 Mg zeolites ha-1 when compared to untreated soil. The maximum stem height and total fresh yield of Jew’s mallow were recorded with the application of 9.52 Mg zeolite ha-1+100% NPK. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the use of zeolite in clayey and sandy soils improved the soil properties, improved the availability of soil nutrients and consequently decreased the environmental pollution. Also, the obtained results are promising for enhancing the horizontal and/or vertical expansion of agriculture in such problematic soils.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
Winarna Winarna ◽  
Iput Pradiko ◽  
Muhdan Syarovy ◽  
Fandi Hidayat

Development of oil palm plantation on peatland was faced with hydrophobicity problem caused by over drained. Hydrophobicity could reduce water retention and nutrient availability in the peat soil. Beside of proper water management application, addition of soil ameliorant which contain iron could increase stability and improve peat soil fertility. The study was conducted to obtain the effect of steel slag on peat soil properties and hydrophobicity. In this study, peat soil was incorporated with steel slag and incubated in 60 days period. The research was employed completely randomized design (CRD) factorial 2 x 2 x 4. First factor is peat maturity consists of two levels: sapric (S) and hemic (H), while the second factor is soil moisture which also consist of two levels: field capacity (W1) and dry (under the critical water content) (W2). The third factor is steel slag dosage which consist of four levels: 0 g pot (TB0), 7.17 g pot (TB1), 14.81 g -1 -1 pot (TB2), and 22.44 g pot (TB3). The result showed that application of steel slag significantly increase of soil pH, ash content, and water retention at pF 4.2. Furthermore, application of steel slag significantly reduce time for water reabsorption (wettability) in sapric. On the other hand, there are negative corellation between water penetration and soil pH, ash content, and water retention at pF 4.2. Overall, application of steel slag could increase wettability and prevent peat soil hydrophobicity.


1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Bhatti ◽  
N. W. Foster ◽  
P. W. Hazlett

Vertical distribution of fine root biomass and nutrient content was examined within a black spruce (Picea mariana) stand growing on a boreal peat soil in northeastern Ontario. The influence of site physical and chemical properties on fine root biomass production was assessed. More then 80% of the fine roots were present in moss plus the top 10 cm of peat where nutrients and aeration are most favourable. The fine root biomass (W/V) was significantly higher with alder (5.9 kg m−3) (Alnus rugosa) as understory vegetation compared to non-alder locations (2.9 kg m−3). Total nutrient content in fine roots was 54, 3.2, 5.4, 63 and 5.7 kg ha−1 on the alder site and 20, 1.4, 2.3, 28 and 4.2 kg ha−1 of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg on the non-alder site, respectively. The mass (W/V) of nutrients in fine roots was strongly dependent upon the availability of nutrients in the peat. Fine root content had a strong positive relationship with peat available P and exchangeable K contents suggesting that P and K may be limiting nutrients for black spruce in this peat soil. Key words: Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, boreal peatlands, aeration, water table


2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 461-470
Author(s):  
Tariq & et al.

The study was conducted to examine the effect of surface burn severity (Moderate, Severe and Unburned) of wheat straw on soil properties. The results showed statistical differences in some soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Bulk density and field capacity increased statistically by the severity of fire; however, porosity and infiltration rate were statistically lower in sever burned plot when compared to unburned plot. The chemical properties, soil organic matter (SOM), P, Ca, S, Cl, K, Mo, Fe and As were not affected by the fire. The pH value was increased slightly by increasing the fire severity, while, EC was decreased when compared with the unburned plot. It was found a statistical reduction in the number of bacterial and fungal cells per gram soil in the burned plots. A moderate and severe fire reduced seed germination percentage significantly. This finding suggests that fire severity may destruct the biological, physical and some of the chemical properties of the soil, and this may impact negatively on plant growth in the next growing season.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nik Norsyahariati Nik Daud ◽  
Mohd Nazrin Mohd Daud ◽  
Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed

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