Methods of Protection Forest Soils during Logging Operations (Review)

Abstract

Public opinion has become increasingly critical of current logging methods and technologies, and there is a demand for standards to guide the operations of environmentally impactful industries. For many years, numerous researchers have studied the impact of logging on forest soils, revealing that there is a high risk of damaging forest soil during forest operations and terrain transport. Here we analyse and review a total of 105 publications in this area. This large body of work demonstrates the scientific interest that this field has attracted. Despite this, important areas of uncertainty concerning the impact of forest harvesting still remain. In particular, changes in soil conditions can affect soil properties in ways that are not well understood, with possible impacts on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils as well as the structure of the soil cover. While it is difficult to fully eliminate the negative impact of forest operations on forest soils, their adverse environmental consequences should be minimised because soil plays a vital role in tree regeneration and helps determine the productivity of future forest stands. Some of the most frequently cited measures and effective technological solutions to minimize damage to forest soils involve taking terrain and different technical solutions into account when organising logging operations. Potentially helpful technical solutions include selecting machines and mechanisms suitable for the site conditions, using larger and/or low-pressure tyres, using tyre pressure control, using anti-skid tracks, using track belts, meliorating wet areas, and using logging machinery incorporating global positioning systems and geographic information systems. Planning measures that can help minimize soil damage include choosing a suitable wood harvesting system and technology, accounting for seasonal factors when planning logging operations, planning networks of roads and trails in advance, leaving wood residues or mats on soil surface, training forest specialists, and reducing the number of machine passes over skid trails and strip roads. Despite active interest in applying sparing methods of wood harvesting, uptake of measures designed to reduce negative impacts on forest soils after logging has been limited. This may be due to a lack of scientific and technical information and the high cost of implementing best management practices. Moreover, economic factors and production plans may require wood harvesting throughout the year, irrespective of conditions. For citation: Ilintsev A.S., Nakvasina E.N., Högbom L. Methods of Protection Forest Soils during Logging Operations (Review). Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2021, no. 5, pp. 92–116. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2021-5-92-116

The Effects of Soil Compaction on the Growth and Architecture of the Seedlings of Species Commonly Used for Afforestation in Iran

“…Therefore, we can conclude that the species usually used for afforestation in the Hyrcanian forests in Iran are very sensitive to soil compaction, showing decreased growth at values lower than those generally reported as thresholds in the literature. Thus, we strongly recommend the application during the establishment of the skid trails of all those best management practices to decrease soil compaction, such as placing mats or mulches on the skid trails [48][49][50].…”

A Meta‐analysis of the effects of ground‐based extraction technologies on fine roots in forest soils

“…Although different recent studies highlighted how a major canopy opening led to a higher decrease in the presence of fine roots (Yang, Qin, et al, 2022; Yang, Wang, et al, 2022), it is also true that in final felling interventions by clear‐cut there is a larger availability of logging woody residues. These can be easily applied along the skid trails or strip roads to reduce soil compaction (Ilintsev et al, 2021; Ring et al, 2021) and lower the level of disturbance to fine roots in the soil directly affected by the passage of the machinery (Figure 7).…”

GIS-based decision support systems to minimise soil impacts in logging operations

“…An extra applied stress leads to displacement of the soil and creation of ruts at this point . Deep ruts expose the mineral soil and increase the risk for surface runoff, erosion, and loss of fertile soils Ilintsev et al 2021;Labelle et al 2022). Ruts may become waterlogged in flat areas, and/or act as flow channels in sloped terrains Labelle et al 2022).…”

“…The most critical factors affecting severity and extent of soil impacts, rutting, and soil compaction, in logging operations can be categorised as: 1) nature given condition, 2) utilised forestry machines, and 3) operations of forestry machines Ilintsev et al 2021;Labelle et al 2022).…”