How much soil disturbance can be expected as a result of southern pine beetle suppression activities?

Abstract

Land managers have long recognized the importance of maintaining soil productivity in the context of sustainable forest management. Soil disturbance that results in impaired hydrologic function and changes in certain soil properties (e.g., structure, organic matter) may be detrimental to soil productivity. Little is known about the degree of soil disturbance that results from salvage logging implemented in response to large-scale disturbances in the Southern Region of the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. We assess the degree of soil disturbance following harvest operations after an outbreak of southern pine beetle on the Bienville and Homochitto National Forests in Mississippi. Post-implementation monitoring was carried out on 37 cutting units using methods consistent with the Forest Soils Disturbance Monitoring Protocol. Soil disturbance was detected on approximately 52 percent of the cutting units; the majority of soil disturbance was class 1 and 2. High levels of soil disturbance were avoided in part by effective communication between soil scientists, timber sale administrators, and equipment operators. High levels of detrimental soil disturbance were from excessive rutting when logging operations occurred during high soil moisture conditions, which are suboptimal for soil strength. These data provide a baseline for evaluating soil disturbance recovery in the Southern Region and indicate the magnitude of soil disturbance to be expected during salvage logging activities.

Citation

Bergstrom, Robert M.; Page-Dumroese, Deborah S. 2019. How much soil disturbance can be expected as a result of southern pine beetle suppression activities? Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-399. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 11 p.