Elements and rationale for a common approach to assess and report soil disturbance

Abstract

Soil disturbance from forest practices ranges from barely perceptible to very obvious, and from positive to nil to negative effects on forest productivity and / or hydrologic function. Currently, most public and private land holders and various other interested parties have different approaches to describing this soil disturbance. More uniformity is needed to describe, monitor, and report soil disturbance from forest practices. We describe required elements for attaining: (1) more uniform terms for describing soil disturbance; (2) cost-effective techniques for monitoring or assessing soil disturbance; and (3) reliable methods to rate inherent soil susceptibility to compaction, rutting, mechanical topsoil displacement, and erosion. Visual disturbance categories are practical for describing soil disturbance. Soil disturbance categories for the Pacific Northwest are described in detail to illustrate essential elements for attaining Element One. A number of potential products are listed to meet the other elements. Completion of these will facilitate collecting comparable data and sharing research and training information. Coordinated efforts will also ensure a more seamless process for assessing and reporting for sustainability protocols, and responding to third-party certification protocols. Additionally, these products will improve operational relevance of research results.Key words: soil disturbance, forest productivity, hydrologic function, monitoring, Montréal Process, risk ratings for soils, soil compaction, soil displacement, soil erosion, sustainability protocols, third-party certification RÉSUMÉ La perturbation du sol au cours des travaux forestiers varie de presque imperceptible à très évidente, accompagnée d'effets positifs, nuls et négatifs sur la productivité forestière ou encore sur les fonctions hydrologiques. Actuellement, la plupart des propriétaires de terrains publics ou privés, ainsi que les groupes de personnes intéressées soutiennent différentes approches de description de la perturbation du sol. Une plus grande uniformité est requise pour décrire, surveiller et faire état des perturbations du sol suite à des travaux forestiers. Nous décrivons les éléments requis pour obtenir (1) des termes plus uniformes pour décrire les perturbations du sol, (2) des techniques efficaces en terme de coût pour surveiller ou évaluer les perturbations du sol et, (3) des méthodes fiables pour classer la susceptibilité inhérente du sol en terme de compaction, orniérage, de déplacement mécanique du sol de surface et d'érosion. Les catégories visuelles de perturbation sont utiles pour décrire les perturbations du sol. Les catégories de perturbation du sol pour le Nord-Ouest du Pacifique sont décrites en détail afin d'illustrer les éléments essentiels requis pour atteindre le Niveau Un. Plusieurs détails supplémentaires sont énumérés dans le cas des autres niveaux. Ces mesures faciliteront la collecte de données comparables et le partage d'information reliée à la recherche et à la formation. Des efforts concer...

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