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Enhancing the regeneration of compacted forest soils by planting black alder in skid lane tracks

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Abstract

Soil compaction due to the use of heavy machinery for timber harvesting has become a widespread problem in forestry. However, only few studies deal with the regeneration of compacted forest soils. In the present study, we examined the potential of accelerating soil regeneration by planting black alder trees (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) in skid lane tracks. In 2003, seedlings were planted into the rut beds of severely compacted skid lanes in two Swiss forest sites. In addition, some of the ruts were filled with compost. In 2009 and 2010, we assessed the success of these measures by analysing physical parameters of soil structure (bulk density, total and coarse porosity and air permeability), root densities and tree growth. Tree growth was exceptionally strong on the skid lanes. Total and coarse soil porosity and air permeability showed significant increase in planted skid lanes as compared to untreated control subplots, approaching values found for untrafficked soil in the immediate vicinity. All soil physical parameters were closely correlated to root mass density. Compost application enhanced tree growth and soil structure regeneration on one site, but had a retarding effect on the other site. Planting black alders has great potential as an environmentally friendly measure to accelerate the structural regeneration of compacted forest soils in temperate humid climates.

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Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to Roger Köchli and Marco Walser for their great support during the field works and in the laboratory. The project was funded by the “Fonds zur Förderung der Wald und Holzforschung” of the Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Zürcherstrasse 111, 8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland

    Christine Meyer & Peter Lüscher

  2. Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 16, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland

    Christine Meyer & Rainer Schulin

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  1. Christine Meyer
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  2. Peter Lüscher
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  3. Rainer Schulin
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Correspondence to Christine Meyer.

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Communicated by A. Merino.

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Meyer, C., Lüscher, P. & Schulin, R. Enhancing the regeneration of compacted forest soils by planting black alder in skid lane tracks. Eur J Forest Res 133, 453–465 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-013-0776-0

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