Site impacts associated with biomass removals in lower Alabama

Abstract

A study was initiated during summer 2003 to evaluate site impacts associated with conversion of a slash pine stand to long leaf pine. Site impacts were evaluated by placing 10 transects over a subsection of the harvest tract and classifying the type of soil surface disturbance every 3 meters. Bulk density, gravimetric water content and cone index were measured on sampling points that corresponded to three disturbance classes: trafficked with litter (DC1), skid trails (DC5), and non-trafficked (DC6). Statistical analyses indicated significant differences were detected only for cone index measurements with skid trail locations significantly higher in the surface and immediate subsurface layer. Erosion estimates of harvested and undisturbed areas were made by measuring soil accumulations in silt fences placed on slopes of similar steepness and length. Soil accumulations in the harvested site exceeded soil accumulated in un-harvested sites.

Keywords

bulk density, cone index, Coastal Plain, erosion, silt fence, disturbance class

Citation

Carter, Emily A.; Fulton, John .; Burton, Brian J. 2005. Site impacts associated with biomass removals in lower Alabama. In: 2005 ASAE Annual International Meeting, Paper Number 058022: 1-15