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 Soil disturbance and 10-year growth response of coast Douglas-fir on nontilled and tilled skid trails in the Oregon Cascades

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Heninger ◽  
William Scott ◽  
Alex Dobkowski ◽  
Richard Miller ◽  
Harry Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Growth ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Fine Soil ◽  
Reduced Height

We (i) quantified effects of skidder yarding on soil properties and seedling growth in a portion of western Oregon, (ii) determined if tilling skid trails improved tree growth, and (iii) compared results with those from an earlier investigation in coastal Washington. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings were hand planted at eight recent clearcuts in skid ruts in either nontilled or tilled trails, in adjacent soil berms, and in adjacent logged-only portions. Four and 5 years after skidding, rut depths averaged 15 cm below the original soil surface; mean fine-soil bulk density (0–30 cm depth) below ruts of nontilled trails exceeded that on logged-only portions by 14%. Height growth on nontilled trails averaged 24% less than on logged-only portions in year 4 after planting and decreased to 6% less in year 7. For years 8–10, mean height growth was similar for all treatments. Reduced height growth lasted for about 7 years compared with 2 years for coastal Washington. Ten years after planting, trees in skid-trail ruts averaged 10% shorter with 29% less volume than those on logged-only portions. Tillage improved height and volume growth to equal that on logged-only portions. Generalizations about negative effects of skid trails on tree growth have limited geographic scope.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Soil Compaction Associated with Four Ground-Based Harvesting Systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Bustos ◽  
Andrew Egan
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Forest Soils ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Equipment Selection ◽  
Farm Tractor ◽  
Harvesting Systems

Abstract A study of soil compaction associated with four harvesting systems—a forwarder working with a mechanized harvester and a rubber-tired cable skidder, a farm tractor, and a bulldozer, each of them coupled with a chainsaw felling—was conducted in a group selection harvest of a mixed hardwood stand in Maine. The bulldozer system was associated with the highest percentage differences in soil bulk density measured in machine tracks (16.9%), trail centerlines (15.7%), and harvested group selection units (13.1%) versus adjacent untrafficked areas, whereas the forwarder system was associated with the lowest percentage differences in soil bulk density measured in machine tracks (3.5%), trail centerlines (1.2%), and harvested group selection units (6.3%) versus adjacent untrafficked areas. Results will help to inform loggers and foresters on equipment selection, harvest planning, and the conservation of forest soils and soil productivity.

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

The role of brush mats in mitigating machine-induced soil disturbances: an assessment using absolute and relative soil bulk density and penetration resistance

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric R. Labelle ◽  
Benjamin J. Poltorak ◽  
Dirk Jaeger
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Soil Penetration Resistance ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Density Values ◽  
Post Impact ◽  
Mean Differences

Forest soils often exhibit low bearing capacities and as a result are often incapable of withstanding high axle loads. In New Brunswick, Canada, five different brush amounts (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg·m–2) were applied as brush mats on machine operating trails during a cut-to-length harvesting operation in a softwood stand to analyze soil disturbance as a result of off-road forest harvesting machine traffic. Soil absolute and relative bulk density and soil penetration resistance measurements were completed below the varying brush mats both before and after forwarding. The mean differences between pre- and post-impact absolute soil dry bulk density values recorded on track areas were 0.24 g·cm–3 for 5–20 kg·m–2 of brush and 0.33 g·cm–3 for 0 kg·m–2 of brush. On average, 40.5%, 17.9%, 14.3%, 15.5%, and 3.6% of all post-forwarding measurements exceeded the threshold for growth-impeding soil bulk density (80% standard Proctor density) for 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 kg·m–2 of brush, respectively. Soil penetration values >3.0 MPa represented 23.7%, 15.0%, 9.4%, 4.6%, and 0.7% of all post-forwarding test plots with 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg·m–2 of brush, respectively. The results suggest that softwood brush mats of 10 to 20 kg·m–2 placed on machine operating trails play a considerable role in reducing forwarder-induced soil compaction and penetration resistance.

Impacts of harvesting and postharvest treatments on soil bulk density, soil strength, and early growth of Pinus taeda in the Gulf Coastal Plain: a Long-Term Soil Productivity affiliated study

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 601-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason C Carter ◽  
Thomas J Dean ◽  
Ziyin Wang ◽  
Ray A Newbold
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Pinus Taeda ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Strength ◽  
Gulf Coastal Plain ◽  
The Impact

At four sites in the Gulf Coastal Plain, mechanical whole-tree harvesting (MWT) removed more biomass and nutrients than hand-fell bole-only harvesting (HFBO). Soil compaction and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) regeneration growth varied among sites. At one location, MWT increased soil bulk density by 0.1 Mg·m–3, from 1.14 to 1.24 Mg·m–3, with no effect on tree growth. At a second location, where bulk density increased by 0.1 Mg·m–3, from 1.41 to 1.51 Mg·m–3, pine growth was reduced significantly. Soil strength at 15–20 cm depth increased by 0.3–0.5 MPa at both locations. However, where MWT reduced pine growth, herbaceous weed control mitigated the effect. Fertilization with N and P, where P was limiting, increased pine growth irrespective of other treatments. Where P was not limiting, addition of a complete fertilizer reduced the mitigating effect of weed control. Bedding reduced soil compaction without improving early tree growth; however, bedding was not tested on the two sites where soil compaction appeared to be at critical levels. Broadcast burning increased survival but reduced pine growth irrespective of harvesting method. Our results suggest that the impact of intensive management on site productivity varies among sites, is potentially accumulative, and is subject to change over time.

Soil physical property changes at the North American Long-Term Soil Productivity study sites: 1 and 5 years after compaction

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah S Page-Dumroese ◽  
Martin F Jurgensen ◽  
Allan E Tiarks ◽  
Felix Ponder, Jr. ◽  
Felipe G Sanchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
North American ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Soil Monitoring ◽  
The North ◽  
The Impact

The impact of forest management operations on soil physical properties is important to understand, since management can significantly change site productivity by altering root growth potential, water infiltration and soil erosion, and water and nutrient availability. We studied soil bulk density and strength changes as indicators of soil compaction before harvesting and 1 and 5 years after harvest and site treatment on 12 of the North American Long-Term Soil Productivity sites. Severe soil compaction treatments approached root-limiting bulk densities for each soil texture, while moderate compaction levels were between severe and preharvest values. Immediately after harvesting, soil bulk density on the severely compacted plots ranged from 1% less than to 58% higher than preharvest levels across all sites. Soil compaction increases were noticeable to a depth of 30 cm. After 5 years, bulk density recovery on coarse-textured soils was evident in the surface (0–10 cm) soil, but recovery was less in the subsoil (10–30 cm depth); fine-textured soils exhibited little recovery. When measured as a percentage, initial bulk density increases were greater on fine-textured soils than on coarser-textured soils and were mainly due to higher initial bulk density values in coarse-textured soils. Development of soil monitoring methods applicable to all soil types may not be appropriate, and more site-specific techniques may be needed for soil monitoring after disturbance.

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 Site Preparation Effects on 20 Year Survival and Growth of Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and on Selected Soil Properties

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. Harrington ◽  
K.B. Piatek ◽  
D.S. DeBell
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Site Preparation ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Survival And Growth

Abstract Long-term effects of site preparation on tree performance and soil properties are not well known. Five site preparation treatments were evaluated to determine how they affected survival and growth of Douglas-fir 3, 10, and 20 yr after planting, and soil bulk density, C, N, P, and organic matter concentrations at 0 to 20 cm soil depth 21 yr after planting. The site preparation treatments were imposed following logging of three harvest units of old-growth forest on a volcanic soil in southwestern Washington; the units were logged to leave 17, 38, and 53 ton/ha of woody residue. The site preparation treatments were hand-pile-and-burn, machine-pile-and-burn, scarification, broadcast burn, and control. Mean survival ranged from 86% at age 3 to 70% at age 20, and average tree heights at 3, 10, and 20 yr were 0.6, 4.1, and 11.7 m. The scarification treatment had the best growth; at age 20, its average tree was 21% taller, 26% larger in diameter, and 82% greater in volume than the control. The hand-pile-and-burn treatment did not differ from the control in tree growth; the machine-pile-and-burn and broadcast burn treatments were intermediate in their growth response. Average soil bulk density was 0.74 g/cm3, organic matter concentration was 118 g/kg, and C, N, and P concentrations were 49, 1.6, and 0.7 g/kg with no significant treatment effects. Site preparation may have benefited growth of the trees on these units by decreasing competition from invading and regrowing vegetation, increasing nutrient availability, or increasing soil temperature. West. J. Appl. For. 18(1):44–51.

scholarly journals Tillage is Necessary in Re-establishing Peach Orchards

1994 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-67
Author(s):  
D.M. Glenn ◽  
J. Kotcon ◽  
W.V. Welker
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Soil Compaction ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Peach Trees

Three soil management treatments (cultivation, herbicide, and killed sod) were established in the drive middle of a 10-year-old apple orchard removed the year prior to planting peaches. The cultivation and herbicide treatments used preplant tillage, leaving a bare soil surface, whereas the killed-sod system was untilled. Peach trees (Prunus persica L. Batsch) were planted, and growth, yield, and soil bulk density were measured after 3 years. There were no differences in tree growth or yield for the three treatments These results were contrary to published reports that the killed-sod system increased early tree growth. The lack of growth response in the killed-sod system was attributed to the high soil bulk density remaining from the previous orchard. We concluded that truck and tractor traffic in the drive middle causes severe soil compaction, which may limit root development. The soil compaction can only be moderated by tillage.

scholarly journals Soil Compaction after Increasing the Number of Wheeled Tractors Passes on Forest Soils in West Carpathians

Forests ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Michal Allman ◽  
Zuzana Dudáková ◽  
Martin Jankovský ◽  
Mária Vlčková ◽  
Vladimír Juško ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Forest Soils ◽  
Penetration Resistance ◽  
Soil Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Disturbance ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Surface Layers ◽  
Technical Parameters ◽  
West Carpathians

Soil disturbance and compaction are inherent in ground-based harvesting operations. These changes are affected by numerous factors, related mainly to the technical parameters of the machines, soil conditions, and the technology used. This study aimed to analyze the changes of surface layers of soil caused by skidder traffic without loads on the Cambisols of Western Carpathians. We observed changes in the soil bulk density and penetration resistance. The results showed that only machine traffic caused a 0.32 to 0.35 (g cm−3) increase in soil bulk density. Besides machine traffic, bulk density was affected by soil moisture content. Penetration resistance of soil increased by 0.15 to 1.04 (MPa) after traffic of 40 machines. Penetration resistance showed a lower increase after traffic, and regression and correlation analysis proved a relationship between penetration resistance, skeleton content, and penetration depth, besides the number of machine passes (r = 0.33–0.55). Observing the changes in the physical properties of soils caused by machine traffic allows for a more detailed view of the effects of forest harvesting machinery on forest soils.

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