Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of two types of natural geotextiles, including wood shred (WS), rice straw (RS) and the biomechanics method of brush wood dam (BWD) with planting seedlings of Alnus glutinosa and Salix alba on runoff, soil loss and fill slope. The effects were compared with those obtained from control treatment. A total of 36 plots (2×4m) with three replicates in the direction of gradient to fill slope of a forest road in northern Iran was considered. Soil moisture, canopy cover of seedlings, vegetation coverage, runoff, sedimentation and erosion were measured in plots during 12 months. BWD and WS played an effective role in reducing runoff by 57% and 73%, respectively. By using RS and WS, the sediment concentration was decreased by 23% and 11%, respectively, while by using BWD it increased by 58%. RS (24.16%) and BWD (7%) had the greatest and smallest impact on reducing vegetation coverage, respectively. BWD (33%) and RS (27%) had the highest and lowest canopy cover of seedlings, respectively. Results showed that both RS (22.23%) and A. glutinosa (4.96%) had the greatest effects on increasing soil moisture. Comparison between the planted species and the control treatment (with no seedlings) showed that S. alba was effective in reducing runoff (46.22%), while A. glutinosa was effective in reducing erosion (66.89%) and sediment concentration (53.52%). Finally, interactions between conservation treatment and planting of seedlings played a more effective role in controlling runoff and erosion. Therefore, the application of conservation treatments together with planting of seedlings is recommended in order to provide better soil conservation and restoration of fill slope.
Highlights
Forest roads are essential for various activities, including forest resource management, recreation, pests, diseases and fire control (Fedkiw 1998, Negishi et al 2004, Avon et al 2010); the construction and use of forest roads cause damage to the vegetation in the construction site making the field prone to erosion (Binkley and Brown 1993, Grace 2002)
This study demonstrated the effects of geotextiles on the conservation of the forest road fill slopes
The results of natural rainfall observations showed that conservation treatments were effective in reducing the runoff volume, soil erosion, sediment concentration and in maintaining soil moisture by diminishing evaporation, and that they provided better conditions for seedlings growth
Summary
Forest roads are essential for various activities, including forest resource management, recreation, pests, diseases and fire control (Fedkiw 1998, Negishi et al 2004, Avon et al 2010); the construction and use of forest roads cause damage to the vegetation in the construction site making the field prone to erosion (Binkley and Brown 1993, Grace 2002). Studies have shown that forest roads are the main origin of sediment transport in rivers in forest areas (Cole and Landres 1996, Elliot et al 2009). Basic measures to reduce environmental damage to roads begin with the design and networking step (Lotfalian et al 2013). In designing forest roads, the costs should be considered and the proper management of water and soil. A significant amount of runoff and sediment is observed in Hyrcanian forests because of the fine-textured soil (Lotfalian et al 2019) and there are areas on fill slopes that are susceptible to erosion and prone to landslides despite the principles of road construction and technical buildings.
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