Variations of Soil Physico-Chemical and Biological Features after Logging Using Two Different Ground-Based Extraction Methods in a Beech High Forest—A Case Study

Abstract

Considering that forests are crucial in the ecosystem of our planet and that forests provide timber products as well as several ecosystem services, it is evident that the application of sustainable forest operations (SFOs) is of substantial importance to achieve sustainable forest management (SFM). One of the most important issues to be evaluated when dealing with SFOs is limiting the disturbance and impacts related to logging. Harvesting activities can indeed alter the conditions of soil through compaction and litter removal which can also lead to modifications from the biological point of view, for example, diminishing the presence of soil microarthropods. While keeping these objectives in focus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate physico-chemical and biological impacts on forest soil in Mediterranean beech forests after forest logging with two different extraction systems, which are forestry-fitted farm tractors equipped with winch and forwarder. Specifically, authors aimed to investigate: (i) soil disturbance levels of ground-based extraction methods; (ii) soil disturbance levels of the applied forestry intervention; (iii) soil disturbance levels between winching-skidding and forwarding. Findings showed that the physical, chemical, and biological soil features were slightly disturbed by the forestry itself. In addition, forest operations and machine traffic showed clear soil disturbance, resulting in a substantial alteration of the characteristics. Between the two extraction techniques tested, winching caused less disturbance while forwarding had stronger impacts. However, it should be noted that these impact levels are found only on approximately 28% of the surface where operations were carried out. From the evidence gathered in this study, winching seems a less impactful extraction method in the studied context. On the other hand, to decrease the impact of forwarding, some technical adjustments such as bogie-tracks, as well as improved operator training, should be applied.

Recent Applications of Smart Technologies for Monitoring the Sustainability of Forest Operations

“…Concerning extraction operations, cable yarding is the most-applied harvesting systems in the northern Alps, while in the rest of the country, ground-based extraction based on forestry-fitted farm tractors equipped with winches or forwarding boxes is still very common [39]. Skidders and forwarders have started to be widespread only in recent years [11,40,41]. In Turkey as well, felling and processing are mainly motor-manual using chainsaws, and extraction is based on skidding, generally via forestry-fitted farm tractor [42].…”

The Effects of Forest Operations and Silvicultural Treatments on Litter Decomposition Rate: a Meta-analysis

“…Apart from the direct effects of machinery traffic on soil compaction [27], the implications of forest operations have been investigated from different points of view, for instance, the effects on erosion and runoff [7] or on the morphological features of natural regeneration [110]. Several studies also highlighted the strong effects of soil compaction on the soil microarthropod community [111][112][113]. The effects of machinery traffic and subsequent soil compaction on litter decomposition rate have been much less investigated and this is a fundamental aspect of forest operations requiring a deeper recognition.…”

“…However, it is evident that the topic of alteration of litter decomposition rate by soil disturbance as a consequence of ground-based forest operations should be further investigated in future studies. Indeed, given that machinery traffic on the forest soil is the major driver of disturbance to the soil edaphic communities [16], and that such disturbance can usually affect up to 30-35% of the overall area of the cutting block [113,117], it is fundamental to understand at a deeper level the influence of logging activities on the litter decomposition rate. Such a large proportion of the affected area cannot be neglected if we want to understand the complex process of litter decomposition and how it is related to active forest management.…”

Work Productivity, Costs and Environmental Impacts of Two Thinning Methods in Italian Beech High Forests

“…For these kinds of forests, the standard management applied is high forest and following the Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) criteria, the shelterwood system is the most common treatment adopted for European beech forests, mostly in the Mediterranean area [2,[4][5][6]. In the framework of the shelterwood system, thinning interventions are crucial for the proper development of the stand [7].…”