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Soil Disturbance by Skyline Yarding vs. Skidding in a Loamy Hill Forest
Author(s) -
Miller James H.,
Sirois Donald L.
Publication year - 1986
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/sssaj1986.03615995005000060039x
Subject(s) - loam , environmental science , soil water , topsoil , disturbance (geology) , logging , silt , hydrology (agriculture) , soil science , forestry , geology , geography , geotechnical engineering , paleontology
Soil disturbance was assessed on harvested units of mature southern pines ( Pinus spp.), where a part of each unit was logged with a cable skyline system and a part with rubber‐tired ground skidders. Effects of the two methods of harvesting were studied by aerial and ground surveys. Cable yarding required 2% less acreage in landings than skidding, and yarding corridors occupied 12% less area than skid trails. Physical and chemical analyses of surface soils (upper 15 cm) showed that loam soils with clay subsoils were most severely affected by the displacement of topsoil after both methods of logging. On 8 to 14% of both logged areas, harvesting activities resulted in significant reductions in organic matter, available moisture holding capacity, and available P, Ca, and K. Silt loam soils were severely compacted by cable yarding in the corridors that consistently ran upslope creating the greatest erosion potential. It is concluded that the carefully planned use of skyline cable systems would minimize the area affected by severe soil disturbance and should be considered for future harvesting in this Jocale.