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Soil compaction often limits conifer regeneration on sites degraded by construction of landings and roads, but inadequate understanding of compaction characteristics has sometimes led to inappropriate rehabilitation efforts. This warrants development of new methods to assess compaction and its relation to tree growth. The objective of this study was to develop a high-level integration indicator that will characterize compaction of forest soils and that could be correlated to tree height growth. Mineral particle density of soils from interior British Columbia (BC) forests varied significantly among the geographic locations. Oxalate-extractable Fe- and Al-oxides and particle size distribution (PSD) were related to soil and mineral particle densities, while soil organic matter (SOM) and Al- and Fe-oxides were important soil properties in relation to soil particle density. The significance of levels of single soil properties in predicting maximum bulk density (MBD) were in the order: plastic and liquid limits, organic matter content, oxalate-extractable oxide, and PSD. Stratification of the sample according to Atterberg limits improved the predictability of MBD, and variation in particle density was included in the prediction by other soil properties used in the models. Height growth of interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca [Bessin] Franco) was restricted when relative bulk density (RBD) was> 0.72. For lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) and hybrid white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss × engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.), an RBD of 0.60 - 0.63 corresponded to maximum height growth, while that of 0.78 - 0.84 appeared to limit height growth. The presence of surface organic material mitigated compaction and was often associated with lower RBD. Interior Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine planted in low elevation sites in north-central BC did not grow well and their height growth was weakly related to RBD. The results suggest.
Forest soil productivity is often impaired as a result of compaction caused by machine traffic. One of the most cost effective means of assessing soil compaction involves determination of bulk density. This study evaluates the usefulness of comparing field soil bulk density to the theoretical maximum bulk density determined by the Proctor compaction test. The study was carried out on existing Long-Term Soil Productivity sites in four British Columbia forest districts, long-term skid trail studies in the Kootenays, and root removal trials in the southern interior. The long-term sites were included in this study based on the availability of a complete record of soil bulk density & tree growth data. The maximum value along with previously determined field bulk density were used to determine a relative soil bulk density for 93 samples. Soil texture & total carbon were also determined on the samples collected, and the relationship between relative bulk density and tree growth was investigated.
The first two experiments described in this report were designed to identify early signs of compaction-related stress in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and white spruce (Picea glauca). A secondary objective was to examine the interaction of soil moisture and compaction on initial seedling growth. The third experiment was designed to examine the efforts of soil compaction on the composition of the soil atmosphere, and is continuing.
This report summarizes issues and problems in forest soil rehabilitation in British Columbia, presenting an up-to-date review of the scientific literature and the activities of rehabilitation specialists and practitioners working for the forest industry and government. The focus is on techniques for restoring soil productivity, with the implied objective of re-establishing a productive forest ecosystem on a site that has suffered degradation. The first two sections of the report provide an overview of soil rehabilitation in the province and review the productivity of degraded and rehabilitated forest soils. This is followed by a section on soil physical process and nutrient cycling, describing how an understanding of growth-limiting conditions can guide practitioners to strategies for effective and cost-efficient rehabilitation. The next section reviews rehabilitation techniques, including tillage, topsoil conservation and replacement, reforestation and revegetation methods, and soil amelioration using fertilizers, amendments, and mulches. Finally, information gaps and research needs are identified.
The purpose of this report is to review available information on soil compaction as related to soil and water conservation on forest and range lands.
Proceedings of the workshop, covering sustainable development and forestry in British Columbia, harvest-related soil disturbance research, tree growth, site productivity research, use of selective logging, site preparation impacts, effects of various types of equipment, site degradation policy, public perceptions and expectations, implications on planning, soil rehabilitation and alternative policies.
Forests cover approximately 26% of the world's land surface area and represent a distinct biotic community. They interact with water and soil in a variety of ways, providing canopy surfaces which trap precipitation and allow evaporation back into the atmosphere, thus regulating how much water reaches the forest floor as through fall, as well as pull water from the soil for transpiration. The discipline "forest hydrology" has been developed throughout the 20th century. During that time human intervention in natural landscapes has increased, and land use and management practices have intensified. The book will be useful for graduate students, professionals, land managers, practitioners, and researchers with a good understanding of the basic principles of hydrology and hydrologic processes.