Long-term harvesting effects on skid road in a fir (Abies bornmulleriana Mattf.) plantation forest

Abstract In this study, long-term timber harvesting effects on a skid road were investigated in a pure fir (Abies bornmulleriana Mattf.) plantation forest. For this purpose, herbaceous understory, forest floor and soil samples were collected from the skid road and from an undisturbed area as a control plot. Unit mass (kg ha−1), organic matter ratio and moisture on herbaceous and forest floor samples were determined in undisturbed area and on the skid road. Soil characteristics were examined at two depths (0–5 cm and 5–10 cm). We quantified sand, silt and clay rates, electrical conductivity, fine soil ( 2 mm ) weight, coarse soil fraction ( > 2 mm ), root mass, organic carbon, moisture equivalent, total porosity, bulk density, moisture, compaction and pH values in soils. It has been concluded that the amount of herbaceous understory and forest floor mass on the skid road decreased considerably compared to the undisturbed area. Parallel to this, the amount of organic matters in the herbaceous understory and the forest floor on the skid road decreased as well. There were crucial differences in the values of compaction, bulk density, fine soil weight, total porosity, organic carbon and moisture equivalent of the soil samples from the skid road and the undisturbed area at both investigated soil depths. Soil on skid road has negative characteristics on water and air status, as a result of compaction caused by timber production.

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