Impact of mechanized harvesting on compaction of sandy and clayey forest soils: results of a meta-analysis

Ampoorter, Evy; de Schrijver, An; van Nevel, Lotte; Hermy, Martin; Verheyen, Kris

doi:10.1007/s13595-012-0199-y

Cited by 129Soil Management and Crop YieldSoil Mechanics and Vehicle DynamicsSoil erosion and sediment transport

Impact of mechanized harvesting on compaction of sandy and clayey forest soils: results of a meta-analysis

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Ampoorter, Evy, de Schrijver, An, van Nevel, Lotte, Hermy, Martin, Verheyen, Kris·2012·Annals of Forest Science

DOI 10.1007/s13595-012-0199-y

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Abstract Context Nowadays, harvest operations are predominantly performed fully mechanized using heavy tractors or forestry machines. The resulting soil compaction may negatively affect the soil ecosystem. Aims We wanted to draw general conclusions concerning the impact of mechanized harvesting on forest soil bulk density and the influencing factors. Method Therefore, we combined the data of several studies using a meta-analysis approach. Results The impact decreased from the surface towards deeper soil layers. At 0–10 cm depth, the impact on clayey soils was highest although not significantly different from the impact on sandy soils. Higher initial bulk densities, i.e., on already compacted forest soils, generally led to smaller extra increases of bulk density after machine traffic. For sandy soils, the impact was also significantly smaller when machines were lighter. No significant relationship was observed between the compaction degree and traffic intensity. Conclusions We observed clear compaction on both clayey and sandy soils, especially in case of low initial soil compaction degrees and heavy machines. The compacted initial state of many forest soils, the long recovery period, and the generally high impact of the first passes that is frequently mentioned in literature all count in favour of designated skid trails and an adjustment of the machine type to the job.

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A recent comparative study showed that various forest harvesters had a different impact on soil compaction and changed soil density accordingly.
“Although we did not quantify the differential impact of the harvesters on the soil, a recent comparative study showed that various forest harvesters had a different impact on soil compaction and changed soil density accordingly [35,36].”
From Comparative analysis of harvesting machines on an operational high-density short rotation woody crop (SRWC) culture: One-process versus two-process harvest operation (2013) · cites this paper as [36]

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Comparative analysis of harvesting machines on an operational high-density short rotation woody crop (SRWC) culture: One-process versus two-process harvest operation
Berhongaray, G., El Kasmioui, O., & Ceulemans, R. (2013) · Biomass and Bioenergy · doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2013.07.003 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
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Authors: Ampoorter, E., de Schrijver, A., van Nevel, L., Hermy, M., & Verheyen, K.
Affiliations: Ghent University (BE)
KU Leuven (BE)
Corresponding author: Ampoorter, Evy
ORCID: Ampoorter, Evy
Hermy, Martin
Verheyen, Kris
Venue: Annals of Forest Science
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2012-03-21
Volume: 69
Issue: 5
Pages: 533-542
ISSN: 1286-4560 (ISSN-L)
1297-966X
DOI: 10.1007/s13595-012-0199-y
OpenAlex: W2074119722
Cited by: 129
References: 55
Citations by year: 2026: 4 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 4
FWCI: 0.99
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 (tdm)
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 (vor)
Locations: Annals of Forest Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Lirias (submittedVersion)
Funders: Vlaamse regering
Topics: Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil Management and Crop Yield
Physical Sciences › Engineering › Civil and Structural Engineering › Soil Mechanics and Vehicle Dynamics
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Soil erosion and sediment transport
Keywords: mechanical harvesting, soil bulk density, sandy soil, clay soil, heavy machinery, skid trails, traffic intensity, machine weight, soil recovery

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Impact of mechanized harvesting on compaction of sandy and clayey forest soils: results of a meta-analysis

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