Soil compaction on skid trails after selective logging in moist evergreen forest of Ghana

Abstract

Soil compaction has been considered as a principal form of damage associated with logging, restricting root growth and reducing natural regeneration. There is no information on the changes in compaction and extent of soil recovery over time. This study evaluates the effects of logging on soil compaction in moist evergreen forest of Ghana. The extent of soil compaction on skid trails was measured at six locations: two plots on the edges, two on the center and two on the unlogged area as a control and replicated seven times on a forty year and one year old skid trails. Penetration resistance was measured to determine the extent of soil compaction using the soil penetrometer. In the forty year old skid trail, penetration resistance was significantly higher at the edge and center as compared to the unlogged area. In the one year old skid trail, penetration was only significantly higher at the edge than the unlogged. Comparing the two skid trails, recovery rate of surface soil compaction showed no significant difference over the period, illustrating the persistent effect of heavy machinery compaction on surface soil structure.