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The Effect of Tractor Logging on Physical Properties of Some Forest Soils in Southwestern Washington
Author(s) -
Steinbrenner E. C.,
Gessel S. P.
Publication year - 1955
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1955.03615995001900030030x
Subject(s) - tractor , environmental science , logging , soil water , bulk density , characterisation of pore space in soil , skid (aerodynamics) , compaction , soil science , geology , geotechnical engineering , forestry , porosity , materials science , geography , engineering , composite material , automotive engineering
An increase in tractor logging in recent years and resulting concern regarding skid road compaction led to this investigation of the effects of tractor logging on the physical properties of soils in southwestern Washington. Nine areas of recent tractor logging with adjacent undisturbed mature timber were selected for sampling. Samples were obtained from the undisturbed timber which was used as a control, tractor roads, and tractor cutover on each of these areas. The latter included all of the area not in the major skid road system. The samples consisted of 3‐inch soil cores taken at the surface with a special sampling tool. Soil permeability rate, bulk density and pore space distribution were determined for each sample in the laboratory. Results showed that the soils from the tractor cutover had a 35% loss in permeability rate, a 2.4% increase in bulk density and a 10% decrease in macroscopic pore space when compared to the timber control. The tractor roads showed a 93% loss in permeability, a 15% increase in bulk density and a 53% loss in macroscopic pore space. The areal extent of the tractor skid roads in this study was found to be 26% of the logged area.