Forest road sideslopes and soil conservation techniques

Abstract

Forest road sideslopes have been identified as one of the major sources of erosion losses from managed forest systems. Stabilization by vegetation has shown the greatest potential for mitigation of soil erosion on forest road sideslopes. Sediment and runoff production from a wood excelsior erosion mat, native species vegetative mix, and exotic species vegetative mix were investigated on a newly constructed road during a two-year study. Sediment and runoff production were significantly reduced on both the cut slope and fill slope by the treatments. Vegetative treatments showed more than a 90 percent reduction in sediment production between the two study years. The erosion mat treatment showed increased vegetation cover and relatively insignificant sediment production for both years of the study.

Citation

Grace, Johnny M., III. 2000. Forest road sideslopes and soil conservation techniques. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 55(1): 96-101.