Assessment of the impacts of forest harvesting on soil physical attributes of a legal reserve

作者：Teixeira Mendes Joao Carlos; Seixas Fernando

来源：Forest Sciences, 2018, 46(118): 143-155.

DOI：10.18671/scifor.v46n118.01

• Reduced impact harvesting
• Animal skidding
• Legal reserve
• Forest harvesting

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of forest harvesting on physical attributes of the soil in a stand of Eucalyptus saligna Smith. abandoned for 40 years. The three treatments were: CCV conventional harvesting with mechanized extraction; CIR1 - reduced impact harvesting with mechanized extraction; and CIR2 -reduced impact harvesting for firewood associated with animal extraction (DBH <= 30 cm) and with mechanized extraction for logs (DAP > 30 cm). The variables of soil effects were: (i) four classes of surface disturbances (m(2).ha(-1)): "no-disturbances", "light", "moderate" and "severe disturbances"; (ii) cone penetrometer resistance (MPa); and (iii) bulk density variation (g.cm(-3)). Soil compaction was detected at mechanized extraction and in areas with moderate and severe disturbances. The treatments CIR1 and CIR2 had lower averages of moderate and severe disturbances; 1.151 m(2).ha(-1) and 1.094 m(2).ha(-1) respectively, differentiating them statistically from CCV that presented 2.620 m(2).ha(-1). The use of a reduced impact harvesting system significantly minimized the total area with critical soil compaction for plants development and, therefore, is an environmentally viable alternative to logging in abandoned stands of Eucalyptus and for forest management in legal reserve.

• 出版日期2018-6