Soil Disturbance and Site Impacts From a Thinning Operation In Kentucky.

 

A study was undertaken in 2007 to evaluate the impact of implementing specific management prescriptions to sustain oak regeneration and improve forest health in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, as outlined in the new Land and Resource Management Plan.  Soil disturbance classes and soil impacts were evaluated for one method of stand regeneration: shelterwood with reserves.  Soil disturbance classes were tabulated throughout the harvest stand while subsections of the stand were delineated and soil physical properties measured within each subsection.  Soil physical properties were also measured in an unharvested stand in close proximity to the harvest tract.  Soil disturbance class data and soil impact data will be presented.