Managing Soil Sustainability In Forest Operations.

Mechanized forest harvest operations can alter soil properties that have the potential to influence subsequent forest productivity and soil sustainability.  Soil response to harvest traffic is typically reported as changes in soil volume (compaction) and is of concern to land managers due to its impact on soil structure, soil aeration, soil water availability, nutrient/ organic matter status, and erosion potential.  Changes in soil volume have always been observed in response to harvest operations throughout the southeast U.S. and have influenced final erosion and productivity status.  Final compaction status is related to intrinsic soil factors and machine parameters that results in compacted soil layers that vary in the intensity of compaction, the depth of compaction and spatial variability.  The consequence of machine impacts on soil resources is expected to intensify due to increased demand for biomass for energy production.  What impacts will result from more intensive biomass removals is an open question that will be considered.