Site Damage from Mechanized Thinning in Southeast Alaska
Abstract Damage to the site was assessed in a second-growth stand of western hemlock and Sitka spruce on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, after thinning with a Menzi-Muck walking backhoe. The qualitative procedure used to assess disturbance of forest soils with organic horizons is outlined. Almost ha...
| Published in: | Northern Journal of Applied Forestry |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press (OUP)
1986
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/njaf/3.3.94 http://academic.oup.com/njaf/article-pdf/3/3/94/23530069/njaf0094.pdf |
| Summary: | Abstract Damage to the site was assessed in a second-growth stand of western hemlock and Sitka spruce on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, after thinning with a Menzi-Muck walking backhoe. The qualitative procedure used to assess disturbance of forest soils with organic horizons is outlined. Almost half of the area in thinning roads received some level of disturbance, but less than 1% of the total thinned area was heavily disturbed (mineral soil exposed) or heavily compacted during felling-bunching operations. Approximately 90% of the leave trees had some stem or root abrasion, although only 5% of these scars were >1 ft2. The most probable infection courts for fungi were split or severed roots, which occurred on 10% of the leave trees. Most soil disturbance, compaction, and root damage was caused by the metal pads on the front legs of the machine, or by abrasion by logs during bunching. North. J. Appl. For. 3:94-97, Sept. 1986. |
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