Effect of Heavy Machine Traffic on Soil CO<sub>2</sub> Concentration and Efflux in a <i>Pinus koraiensis</i> Thinning Stand
Mechanized timber harvesting is cost efficient and highly productive. However, mechanized harvesting operations are often associated with several environmental problems, including soil compaction and disturbance. Soil compaction impedes air circulation between the soil and atmosphere, which in turn...
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/11/1497 |
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| author | Ikhyun Kim Sang-Kyun Han Mauricio Acuna Heesung Woo Jae-Heun Oh Byoungkoo Choi |
| author_facet | Ikhyun Kim Sang-Kyun Han Mauricio Acuna Heesung Woo Jae-Heun Oh Byoungkoo Choi |
| author_sort | Ikhyun Kim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mechanized timber harvesting is cost efficient and highly productive. However, mechanized harvesting operations are often associated with several environmental problems, including soil compaction and disturbance. Soil compaction impedes air circulation between the soil and atmosphere, which in turn results in increased concentrations of CO<sub>2</sub> within soil pores. In this study, we investigated the impact of forest machine traffic on soil conditions to determine soil CO<sub>2</sub> efflux (<i>F<sub>c</sub></i>), and soil CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations (<i>S<sub>c</sub></i>). Field measurements included soil bulk density (BD), soil temperature (ST), soil water content (SWC), <i>F<sub>c</sub></i>, and <i>S<sub>c</sub></i> over a 3-year period at a specific thinning operation site (Hwacheon-gun) in the Gangwon Province of Korea. To assess the soil impacts associated with machine traffic, we established four machine-treatment plots (MT) characterized by different geographical and traffic conditions. The results revealed that BD, <i>S<sub>c</sub></i>, and SWC increased significantly on the disturbed track areas (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Furthermore, reduced soil <i>F<sub>c</sub></i> values were measured on the soil-compacted (machine disturbed) tracks in comparison with undisturbed (control) areas. Variations in BD, SWC, and <i>S<sub>c</sub></i> were significantly different among the four MT plots. Additionally, in comparison with undisturbed areas, lower <i>F<sub>c</sub></i> and higher <i>S<sub>c</sub></i> values were obtained in compacted areas with high soil temperatures. |
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| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:29:18Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
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| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-268fc8a22c3f47258f45dc7047c8e3c02023-11-22T23:24:34ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072021-10-011211149710.3390/f12111497Effect of Heavy Machine Traffic on Soil CO<sub>2</sub> Concentration and Efflux in a <i>Pinus koraiensis</i> Thinning StandIkhyun Kim0Sang-Kyun Han1Mauricio Acuna2Heesung Woo3Jae-Heun Oh4Byoungkoo Choi5Department of Forestry and Environmental Systems, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, KoreaDivision of Forest Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, KoreaForest Industries Research Centre, University of the Sunchine Coast, Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, AustraliaCollege of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, KoreaForest Technology and Management Research Center, National Institute of Forest Science, Pocheon 11187, KoreaDivision of Forest Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, KoreaMechanized timber harvesting is cost efficient and highly productive. However, mechanized harvesting operations are often associated with several environmental problems, including soil compaction and disturbance. Soil compaction impedes air circulation between the soil and atmosphere, which in turn results in increased concentrations of CO<sub>2</sub> within soil pores. In this study, we investigated the impact of forest machine traffic on soil conditions to determine soil CO<sub>2</sub> efflux (<i>F<sub>c</sub></i>), and soil CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations (<i>S<sub>c</sub></i>). Field measurements included soil bulk density (BD), soil temperature (ST), soil water content (SWC), <i>F<sub>c</sub></i>, and <i>S<sub>c</sub></i> over a 3-year period at a specific thinning operation site (Hwacheon-gun) in the Gangwon Province of Korea. To assess the soil impacts associated with machine traffic, we established four machine-treatment plots (MT) characterized by different geographical and traffic conditions. The results revealed that BD, <i>S<sub>c</sub></i>, and SWC increased significantly on the disturbed track areas (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Furthermore, reduced soil <i>F<sub>c</sub></i> values were measured on the soil-compacted (machine disturbed) tracks in comparison with undisturbed (control) areas. Variations in BD, SWC, and <i>S<sub>c</sub></i> were significantly different among the four MT plots. Additionally, in comparison with undisturbed areas, lower <i>F<sub>c</sub></i> and higher <i>S<sub>c</sub></i> values were obtained in compacted areas with high soil temperatures.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/11/1497forest soilsoil compactionheavy machine trafficsoil CO<sub>2</sub> concentrationsoil CO<sub>2</sub> efflux |
| spellingShingle | Ikhyun Kim Sang-Kyun Han Mauricio Acuna Heesung Woo Jae-Heun Oh Byoungkoo Choi Effect of Heavy Machine Traffic on Soil CO<sub>2</sub> Concentration and Efflux in a <i>Pinus koraiensis</i> Thinning Stand Forests forest soil soil compaction heavy machine traffic soil CO<sub>2</sub> concentration soil CO<sub>2</sub> efflux |
| title | Effect of Heavy Machine Traffic on Soil CO<sub>2</sub> Concentration and Efflux in a <i>Pinus koraiensis</i> Thinning Stand |
| title_full | Effect of Heavy Machine Traffic on Soil CO<sub>2</sub> Concentration and Efflux in a <i>Pinus koraiensis</i> Thinning Stand |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Heavy Machine Traffic on Soil CO<sub>2</sub> Concentration and Efflux in a <i>Pinus koraiensis</i> Thinning Stand |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Heavy Machine Traffic on Soil CO<sub>2</sub> Concentration and Efflux in a <i>Pinus koraiensis</i> Thinning Stand |
| title_short | Effect of Heavy Machine Traffic on Soil CO<sub>2</sub> Concentration and Efflux in a <i>Pinus koraiensis</i> Thinning Stand |
| title_sort | effect of heavy machine traffic on soil co sub 2 sub concentration and efflux in a i pinus koraiensis i thinning stand |
| topic | forest soil soil compaction heavy machine traffic soil CO<sub>2</sub> concentration soil CO<sub>2</sub> efflux |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/12/11/1497 |
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