Abstract
Aim of study: The primary objective of this paper was to compare the effects of different types of forestry machine chassis on the compaction of the top layers of soil and to define the soil moisture content level, at which machine traffic results in maximum compaction.Area of study: Measurements were conducted in eight forest stands located in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The soil types in the stands subjected to the study were luvisols, stagnosols, cambisols, and rendzinas.Material and Methods: The measurements were focused on tracked and wheeled (equipped with low pressure tyres) cut-to-length machines, and skidders equipped with wide and standard tyres. The bulk density of soil was determined from soil samples extracted from the ruts, the centre of the skid trail, and the undisturbed stand. To determine soil moisture content, at which the soil is the most susceptible to compaction, the Proctor standard test was employed.Main results: The moisture content for maximal compaction fluctuated from 12% to 34.06%. Wheeled machines compacted the soil to 1.24 – 1.36 g.cm-3 (30.3 – 35.4 % compaction) in dried state. Bulk density of soil in stands where tracked machine operated was lower, ranging from 1.02 to 1.06 g.cm-3 (25.3 % compaction).Research highlights: All wheeled machines caused the same amount of soil compaction in the ruts, despite differences in tyres, machine weight, etc. Maximum compaction caused by forestry machines occurred at minimal moisture contents, easily achievable in European climatic conditions. Keywords: soil compaction; bulk density; soil moisture content limits; cut-to-length machines; skidders.
Highlights
The primary objective of research focused on the effect of the forestry machine traffic on soil is to describe a complex of soil’s physical properties, which enable prediction of the soil’s susceptibility to such load (Hildebrandt et al, 1982)
According to Arnup (1999) soil susceptibility to compaction is defined by the following factors: the magnitude of the contact pressure applied by the vehicle, the instantaneous soil moisture content, the share of soil skeleton and sand particles, soil structure, bulk density of soil, soil porosity, and the current thickness of the topsoil
The primary objective of this paper is to compare the extent of soil compaction caused by various types of forestry machines and to define the critical soil moisture content values, leading to maximum compaction resulting from the forestry machine traffic
Summary
The primary objective of research focused on the effect of the forestry machine traffic on soil is to describe a complex of soil’s physical properties, which enable prediction of the soil’s susceptibility to such load (Hildebrandt et al, 1982). In terms of the protection of ecosystems or maintaining stand production capacity, the primary objective of forestry is to ensure a stable development of forest ecosystems and to preserve optimal productive and non-productive functions of forests This can only be fulfilled by preserving all of the natural processes that occur in the soil, i.e. the activity of all microbiological organisms, the physical properties of the soil, the stocks of available nutrients and regeneration processes that take place in the ecosystem (Gebauer et al, 2012). According to Arnup (1999) soil susceptibility to compaction is defined by the following factors: the magnitude of the contact pressure applied by the vehicle, the instantaneous soil moisture content, the share of soil skeleton and sand particles, soil structure, bulk density of soil, soil porosity, and the current thickness of the topsoil. The overall forest growth is affected, as soil compaction is reflected in a decrease of tree growth (Arvidsoon, 2001; Ampoorter et al, 2007)
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