RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM RESPONSE TO TIMBER HARVSESTING FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESTORING ASPEN

Soil Bulk Density

Soil Bulk Density

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Soil bulk density is the soil quality parameter most likely to respond immediately to conifer removal treatments. Soil bulk density is a surrogate measurement of soil compaction, a common impact of silvicultural practices such as skidding fallen logs to load landings. As a soil is compacted bulk density will increase.

There was no significant change in the difference (Δ) between treatment and reference soil bulk density at the 0-6 inches or the 6-12 inches depth Pine-Bogard Project Phase 2, Phase 3, and Bailey Project treatment implementations (Fig. 10). This indicates that there was no soil compaction at either the Pine-Bogard or Bailey Creek soil bulk density monitoring stations, which were located in harvest unit areas outside of defined skid trails and log landings.