Compaction of agricultural and forest subsoils by tracked heavy construction machinery

Berli, Markus; Kulli, Beatrice; Attinger, Werner; Keller, Martin; Leuenberger, J.; Flühler, H.; Springman, Sarah M.; Schulin, Rainer

doi:10.1016/s0167-1987(03)00160-0

Cited by 70 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Soils with a low initial density contain a lot of macropores that are easy to compact. When bulk density increases, the macropores are transformed into micropores that exert a higher resistance and are thus less prone to compaction (Berli et al 2003;Hillel 1998;Shetron et al 1988). The increase in bulk density, resulting from an extra machine pass, is thus restricted in this case.…”

Section: Vulnerability Of Soils With Different Texture To Soil Compacmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Soil compaction refers to the process in which soil pores, especially macropores, are destroyed and surface aggregates are broken down. Machine traffic may therefore result in a decrease of soil pore volume, a loss of pore continuity, and rut formation (e.g., Berli et al 2003), inducing changes in soil aeration (Gaertig et al 2002), soil water retention, and hydraulic conductivity (e.g., Reicosky et al 1981). Bulk density (e.g., Cullen et al 1991) and penetration resistance (e.g., Aust et al 1998) also increase when the soil is compacted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of mechanized harvesting on compaction of sandy and clayey forest soils: results of a meta-analysis

Ampoorter

Schrijver

Nevel

et al. 2012

Annals of Forest Science

110

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Context Nowadays, harvest operations are predominantly performed fully mechanized using heavy tractors or forestry machines. The resulting soil compaction may negatively affect the soil ecosystem. Aims We wanted to draw general conclusions concerning the impact of mechanized harvesting on forest soil bulk density and the influencing factors. Method Therefore, we combined the data of several studies using a meta-analysis approach. Results The impact decreased from the surface towards deeper soil layers. At 0–10 cm depth, the impact on clayey soils was highest although not significantly different from the impact on sandy soils. Higher initial bulk densities, i.e., on already compacted forest soils, generally led to smaller extra increases of bulk density after machine traffic. For sandy soils, the impact was also significantly smaller when machines were lighter. No significant relationship was observed between the compaction degree and traffic intensity. Conclusions We observed clear compaction on both clayey and sandy soils, especially in case of low initial soil compaction degrees and heavy machines. The compacted initial state of many forest soils, the long recovery period, and the generally high impact of the first passes that is frequently mentioned in literature all count in favour of designated skid trails and an adjustment of the machine type to the job.

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Section: Vulnerability Of Soils With Different Texture To Soil Compacmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of mechanized harvesting on compaction of sandy and clayey forest soils: results of a meta-analysis

Ampoorter

Schrijver

Nevel

et al. 2012

Annals of Forest Science

110

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“…Soil compaction is a major source of human-induced forest soil degradation (Bagheri et al 2011), even though moderate compaction of loose soils can result in improved soil quality (Gomez et al 2002). Harvest-induced soil compaction depends on several factors: soil type (Berli et al 2004, Sakai et al 2008, Magagnotti et al 2012, soil moisture (McNabb et al 2001, Han et al 2006, Ampoorter et al 2012, content of soil organic matter (Arthur et al 2013), number of machine passes (Williamson & Neilsen 2000, Wallbrink et al 2002, Han et al 2006, terrain steepness and direction of travel (Jourgholami et al 2014), characteristics of the equipment and yard organization (Picchio et al 2012, Marchi et al 2014, and machine speed and wheel slippage (Alakukku et al 2003, Eliasson 2005. Soil compaction and reduction or removal of the top organic horizon often causes poor regeneration on skid trails (Rab 1996, Startsev & McNabb 2000.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of wheeled and tracked tractors on soil physical properties in a mixed conifer stand

Cambi¹,

Certini²,

Fabiano³

et al. 2016

iForest

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Damage to forest soil caused by vehicle traffic mainly consists of soil compaction, displacement, and rut formation. Severity of the damage depends on vehicle mass, weight of the carried loads, ground morphology, and soil properties, such as moisture. This paper investigates the impacts of two types of vehicles (tracked or wheeled tractor), traffic intensities (one or five skidding cycles) and soil moisture (24% or 13% by weight) on compaction of a loam textured soil in a mixed conifer stand of central Italy. Changes in porosity, bulk density, shear and penetration resistances were analyzed. The latter three parameters were significantly higher in the trafficked soil portions than in the undisturbed ones in all treatments, while the opposite was true for porosity. The impact on soil bulk density and porosity was stronger for the wheeled tractor working on moist soil, while no significant effect of soil moisture was recorded for the tracked tractor. Shear and penetration resistances increased as a consequence of traffic, depending on both tractor type and soil moisture. The largest impact on shear resistance was recorded for the wheeled tractor on moist soil, while significant differences in penetration resistance were observed only between tracked and wheeled tractors in dry soil conditions. In order to preserve soil quality during logging activities, we recommend to operate under dry soil conditions and to limit vehicle movement on existing or new planned trails.

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“…However, increased bulk density resulted in less soil loss. This may be attributed to the fact that compaction of soil results in high dry density (Ohu et al 1987;Ohu and Folorunso, 1989;Adekalu and Osunbitan, 2001;Berli et al, 2004) which definitely reduced the rate of detachability and transportability of the soil particles. Soil erosion was evident in the abandoned terraces where soil depth decreases dramatically with increasing distance from Juniper trees (Barth and Strunk, 2000).…”

Section: Measurements Of the Forest Standmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of terracing on rainwater harvesting and growth of Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endlicher

Aref

2009

Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.

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ABSTRACT:The present study was conducted in two forests in Abha (Capital of Asir Region) and two forests in Al Namas (130 km north of Abha), south western Saudi Arabia (Asir region) to investigate the effect of terraces on rainwater harvesting and growth of Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endlicher. Farmers grow their crops within Juniper forests and woodlots by constructing terraces from soil and stones to harvest rainwater. Juniper forests and woodlots present important watersheds and sources for water. Study plots were established in four forests, two of which contained maintained terraces and the other two have been covered by abandoned and damaged terraces. The results showed that maintained terraces served as important means for rainwater harvesting, whereas abandoning of terraces resulted in increased soil loss, surface runoff, bulk density and reduced infiltration rates. Significant correlations and regression between soil loss, total runoff, soil bulk density and infiltration rate were provided. Diameter at breast height, total height, basal area, volume, number of trees, crown coverage and regeneration/ha of J. procera were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in forests with maintained terraces compared with abandoned terraces. Finally, maintained terraces improved rainwater harvesting and growth performance of J. procera.

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Compaction of agricultural and forest subsoils by tracked heavy construction machinery

Cited by 70 publications

References 22 publications

Impact of mechanized harvesting on compaction of sandy and clayey forest soils: results of a meta-analysis

Impact of mechanized harvesting on compaction of sandy and clayey forest soils: results of a meta-analysis

Impact of wheeled and tracked tractors on soil physical properties in a mixed conifer stand

Effect of terracing on rainwater harvesting and growth of Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endlicher

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