Mechanical disturbance impacts on soil properties and lodgepole pine growth in British Columbia’s central interior

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. 681-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Blouin ◽  
M. G. Schmidt ◽  
C. E. Bulmer ◽  
M. Krzic
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Mechanical Resistance

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

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
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Peat Soil ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Soil Deformation ◽  
Boreal Peatlands ◽  
Recovery Potential ◽  
Total Forest Area

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.

Soil properties and lodgepole pine growth on rehabilitated landings in northeastern British Columbia

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Bulmer ◽  
M. Krzic
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Average Height ◽  
Water Storage Capacity ◽  
Pine Trees

We determined post-establishment tree growth and soil properties on rehabilitated log landings and forest plantation sites with medium texture in northeastern British Columbia. Six years after rehabilitation treatments were applied, 60% of rehabilitated landing plots had more than 1000 stems ha-1, while 17% had fewer than 600 stems ha-1. The average height of undamaged lodgepole pine trees on rehabilitated landings was consistently lower than for trees of the same age on plantations. Surface (0–7 cm) and subsurface (10–17 cm) soil bulk densities were higher for rehabilitated landings than for adjacent plantations. Rehabilitated landing and plantation soils had similar values of total and aeration porosity. Plantation soils had higher available water storage capacity (AWSC) than rehabilitated soils. Soil mechanical resistance after landing rehabilitation was often higher than for plantation soils at the same depth. Soils on both rehabilitated landings and plantations showed an increase in mechanical resistance from June to September 2001. With the exception of June 2001, soil mechanical resistance after landing rehabilitation was often higher than 2500 kPa. For surface mineral soils, there were no differences in total C, N, or cation exchange capacity (CEC) between rehabilitated landings and plantations. Rehabilitated landing soils had significantly higher total C and N at 10–17 cm depth than plantation soils, which coincided with higher clay content for the landing subsoils. Key words: Forest soil rehabilitation, soil degradation, soil productivity, soil conservation

Soil properties and lodgepole pine growth on forest landings rehabilitated by tillage and fertilizer application

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Krzic ◽  
L. Zabek ◽  
C E Bulmer ◽  
B K Chapman ◽  
C. Trethewey
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Seedling Height ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Growing Seasons

Soils on forest landings are often degraded and unable to support optimal growth of planted conifers unless rehabilitation practices are applied. This study evaluated the effects of tillage and fertilization on soil properties and growth of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) seedlings on rehabilitated forest landings in the central interior of British Columbia. Six study sites were rehabilitated in 1998 (but without topsoil replacement) and planted with lodgepole pine in 1999. Tillage treatments were: (i) no tillage; (ii) low intensity (one pass of an excavator and six-toothed rake, target clod size 8–10 cm); (iii) medium intensity (two passes, target clod size 4–7 cm); and, (iv) high intensity (three passes, target clod size 1–3 cm). Fertilizers were applied at the time of planting as slow-release formulations; treatments included: (i) no fertilizer; (ii) NPK-fertilizer; and, (iii) NPK + S-fertilizer. After 5 yr, soil mechanical resistance was higher on the untilled control than the tilled treatments. Neither tillage nor fertilization had any effects on soil chemical properties (total C and N, pH, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable cations). Tillage effects after one growing season were variable; however, after four or five growing seasons, the low-intensity tillage resulted in greater seedling height and diameter growth than the untilled control. After one growing season, fertilization increased seedling height and diameter growth relative to the untreated control, but after four or five growing seasons, fertilization had no effect on lodgepole pine growth. Our findings indicate that a single pass with the excavator and rake was the most suitable rehabilitation practice on these sites. Key words: Forest soil rehabilitation, landing and road rehabilitation, soil conservation, soil degradation, soil compaction, soil productivity

Response of lodgepole pine health to soil disturbance treatments in British Columbia, Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 1045-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anya M. Reid ◽  
William K. Chapman ◽  
John Marty Kranabetter ◽  
Cindy E. Prescott
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Forest Health ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Base Saturation ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Health Response

Soil disturbance from organic matter loss and soil compaction can impair site productivity, but less is known about whether these disturbances also affect forest health (defined here as the presence and severity of damaging pests and diseases, mortality, and overall vigour). We used six long-term soil productivity (LTSP) sites in the interior of British Columbia, Canada to test the effects of organic-matter removal and soil compaction on forest health, and to explore the relationship between forest health response and potential indicators of site sensitivity: mineral soil pH, base saturation, carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N), carbon to phosphorus ratio (C:P), and calcium to aluminum ratio (Ca:Al). Visual forest health surveys were conducted on 5400 15 and 20 year old lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) trees. Soil disturbance treatments significantly affected forest health metrics, but this response typically differed among sites. Principle component analyses indicated the response of healthy trees was negatively related to soil base saturation, the response of dead or dying trees related to soil C:P, and the response of tree disease related to soil Ca:Al, pH, base saturation, and C:N. We found forest health response to soil disturbance varied among sites with relationships between response and soil chemical properties, suggesting a greater vulnerability of pine stands to disease with increasing soil acidity.

Soil disturbance and five-year tree growth in a montane alternative silvicultural systems (MASS) trial

2004 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
D G Maynard ◽  
J P Senyk
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Tsuga Heterophylla ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Abies Amabilis ◽  
Soil Rehabilitation ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Properties Of Soil

Ground-based forestry practices can negatively affect soil productivity by altering the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. The effect of soil disturbance on soil properties and tree growth was evaluated following single-pass hydraulic excavator and multiple-pass combined excavator and flexible track grapple skidder forwarding in four silvicultural systems treatments: Clearcut (CC), Green Tree Retention (GT), Patch Cut (PC), and Uniform Shelterwood (SW). The effectiveness of an excavator soil-rehabilitation technique (tilling) in decompacting skidtrails (i.e., reducing soil bulk density) and nutrient availability was also evaluated. Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) and amabilis fir (Abies amabilis Dougl. Ex. Forbes) seedlings were planted on undisturbed plots, within tracks and between tracks of skidtrails, and in rehabilitated trails within the four harvesting treatments in the spring of 1994. Seedling growth was measured after five growing seasons, and nutrient concentrations of current-year foliage were determined at the end of the fourth growing season. Seedling survival and growth was generally reduced by soil disturbances associated with skid-trails. Effects of disturbance on physical properties of soil (e.g., compaction, puddling) and disruption of drainage were the most likely causes. Nutrient deficiencies do not appear to be a factor. Nonetheless, nitrogen concentrations were lower in current-year foliage taken from rehabilitation treatments than from either undisturbed or skidtrail treatments. Effectiveness of soil rehabilitation varied. In well-drained deeper soils, tilling reduced soil bulk density to levels below those of undisturbed soils and, in the short-term (five years), improved tree growth. In wetter conditions, rehabilitation treatment decreased survival and growth of both species. Thus specific rehabilitation (tilling) prescriptions should not be universally applied across a landscape. Key words: Abies amabilis, Tsuga heterophylla, foliar analysis, soil bulk density, soil compaction, soil rehabilitation

scholarly journals Morphology, Growth and Architecture Response of Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and Maple Tree (Acer velutinum Boiss.) Seedlings to Soil Compaction Stress Caused by Mechanized Logging Operations

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Picchio ◽  
Farzam Tavankar ◽  
Mehrdad Nikooy ◽  
Giuseppe Pignatti ◽  
Rachele Venanzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Root Length ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Natural Regeneration ◽  
Total Porosity ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Stem Length ◽  
Main Root ◽  
The Impact

The Caspian forests of Iran were monitored and evaluated for forest natural regeneration after logging activities for more than a decade. This large area has a substantial ecological, environmental and socio-economic importance. Ground based skidding is the most common logging method in these forests and soil compaction is the most critical consequence of this method. One of the current main topics and important emerging issue in forest research of the last decade are discussed in this study. Soil compaction has major influences on growth and/or mortality rates of forest seedlings. This study has lasted for over ten years so as to have a clear overview related to forest natural regeneration after logging activities. We monitored and evaluated physical soil properties (bulk density, penetration resistance and total porosity) and their effects on maple and beech seedlings on 10-year-old skid trails in the Iranian Caspian forests. Results obtained from evaluating the impact of skid trails within the aforementioned three soil physical parameters were significant; bulk density increased by 12.6% on log skidded routes (between two skidder tires on skid trail) and 36.1% on tire tracks, compared to non-skid trails (1.19 g/cm3), penetration resistance increased by 68% on log skidded routes and 220% on tire tracks, compared to non-skid trails (0.25 MPa), total porosity decreased by 12.8% on log skidded routes and 30.9% on tire tracks, compared to non-skid trails (54%). Among the morphological parameters, lateral root length (LRL) and root penetration depth (RPD) showed the highest decrease at soil compaction compared to the control (decrease in LRL: 60% in maple and 44% in beech; decrease in RPD: 56% in both maple and beech); the main response of growth parameters to soil compaction was found in roots (decrease in dry mass of 36% both in maple and beech); architectural parameters were also influenced by soil compaction, and the response of both seedling species was more evident in the ratio of main root to stem length (RRS) (reduction in RRS 42% in maple, 33% in beech); the ratio of RPD to main root length (RPL) also showed a great reduction (reduction in RPL 20% in maple 33% in beech). Physical soil properties, changes in other environmental properties of skid trails, created differences in beech and maple seedling growth between the skid trails and non-skid trails. This was closely related to the physiological characteristics of the two species studied. Beech seedlings reacted well to a moderate uncovering but they needed little disturbed soil, even if there was a very mixed bedding. Maple seedlings reacted better than beech seedlings to the uncovering and soil disturbance. The effects of the skid trail on morphology, growth and architecture of maple seedlings in the Hyrcanian beech forests showed that the maple, as a seedling, is a suitable species for maintaining the physical properties of skid trails after logging operations in the beech stands in the Caspian forests of Iran.

Visually Determined Soil Disturbance Classes Used as Indices of Forest Harvesting Disturbance

1998 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 245-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Michael Aust ◽  
James A. Burger ◽  
Emily A. Carter ◽  
David P. Preston ◽  
Steven C. Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Subsurface Water ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Severe Disturbance

Abstract Visual estimates of soil and site disturbances are used by foresters, soil scientists, logging supervisors, and machinery operators to minimize harvest disturbances to forest sites, to evaluate compliance with forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs), and to determine the need for ameliorative practices such as mechanical site preparation. Although visual estimates are commonly used by field personnel, the actual relationships of visually determined soil disturbance classes to various soil physical properties and site characteristics have not been determined. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate if visually determined soil disturbance classes are related to quantitative soil and site properties that are known to influence soil productivity and hydrologic function. Several types of quantitative data were evaluated within the soil disturbance classes:static data (bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, total, capillary, noncapillary pore space, and soil roughness) and dynamic data (mechanical resistance, volumetric soil moisture, subsurface water table depth). All data were collected from a long-term forest productivity study located in the Coastal Plain of South Carolina. The study is a randomized complete block design with two harvest disturbance levels (wet-weather harvest vs. dry-weather harvest) and a maximum of five site soil disturbance (SD) classes. Disturbance classes included undisturbed (SD0), compressed but not rutted (SD1), rutted (SD2), deeply rutted (SD3), and churned (SD4). Analyses revealed that three static variables (soil bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, macropore pore space) and two dynamic variables (depth of the subsurface water table and mechanical resistance) were significantly related to disturbance. Although undisturbed and compressed areas generally were affected less than the more severe disturbance classes, the three most severe disturbance classes, churned areas, deeply rutted areas, and rutted areas were not different from one another. Thus, it appears visual disturbances do not necessarily equate to site damage. The overall implications are that visually determined soil disturbance classes have merit as indices of some soil and site changes, but they should not be equated to soil damage categories. South. J. Appl. For. 22(4):245-250.

scholarly journals A detrimental soil disturbance prediction model for ground-based timber harvesting

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
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Predictive Model ◽  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Slope Aspect ◽  
Areal Extent ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Topographic Features ◽  
Site Characteristics

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.

Influence of Site Preparation on Soil Conditions Affecting Stand Establishment and Tree Growth

1988 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence A. Morris ◽  
Robert F. Lowery
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Forest Site ◽  
Stand Establishment ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Induced Changes ◽  
Changes In Soil Properties

Abstract Slash disposal, and the type and amount of competing vegetation that occur on a forest site, are the primary considerations of site preparation prescriptions. Site preparation effectiveness, as measured by pine survival and growth, can be improved by recognizing and separating soil manipulation effects from those that result from competition control. The data relating site preparation induced changes in soil properties to plantation growth are limited, but indicate that many common treatments have little potential for improving soil conditions. Only disking, bedding, and subsoiling are likely to have large positive effects. South. J. Appl. For. 12(3):170-178.

Forest soil rehabilitation with tillage and wood waste enhances seedling establishment but not height after 8 years

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 1894-1906 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bulmer ◽  
K. Venner ◽  
C. Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Organic Amendments ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Wood Waste ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Soil Temperatures ◽  
One Year

We evaluated soil conditions of rehabilitated log landings in the Interior Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone of British Columbia during the first 3 years after treatment and the growth of lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) on these log landings over 8 years. Rehabilitation treatments included combinations of tillage and the addition of either stockpiled topsoil or one of three organic amendments: hog fuel, sort-yard waste, and a wood waste – biosolids compost. The woody amendments were either applied as a surface mulch or incorporated into the soil after tillage. Tillage and addition of wood waste reduced soil bulk density and increased carbon content. Daytime soil temperatures in summer were lower under a hog fuel mulch than for the other treatments. The plots receiving hog fuel also had higher soil moisture content. One year after treatment, soil mechanical resistance for untreated soils, and those that were simply tilled, exceeded 2500 kPa for much of the growing season. Plots receiving wood waste had lower mechanical resistance. Use of wood waste in rehabilitation improved soil conditions and contributed to improved survival rates for planted lodgepole pine seedlings. Height growth after 8 years was not significantly affected by the treatments.

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