Short-term effects of water bar construction on soil physical properties of skid trail after logging operation

Protective measures are needed to reduce the negative impacts of soil compaction. Water diversions are one of the management tools to reduce the negative impacts of ground skidding and helping soil recovery. In this research, the effects of constructed water bar were studied on the process of soil physical properties recovery in skid trail in west of Guilan. Seven years after logging completion and conservation of skid trail by constructed water bar, changes in soil physical properties were evaluated in two slope classes and three traffic classes in 40 m2 sample plots at wheel tracks and between them. Control samples were selected within 30 m from the edge of the skid trail. Soil samples were collected using a cylinder to a depth of 10 cm. Soil penetration resistance and rut depth were measured by analog hand-held soil penetrometer and rut 5 meter leveling rod, respectively. Influence of slope and traffic changes on soil physical properties was investigated in two treatments, three replications, and 72 samples. The results showed that the slope of the skid trail, traffic intensity and their interaction have significant effective on bulk density, total porosity, penetration resistance and rut depth. Mean bulk density, total porosity and penetration resistance in slope below 10% and low traffic treatment were not significantly different from control area. Overall, the results of study indicated that after log skidding, water bar construction had positive effects on soil physical properties of low slope and traffic trails.