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  1. Elements and rationale for a common approach to assess and report soil disturbance.

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    Author(s): Mike Curran; Doug Maynard; Ron Heninger; Tom Terry; Steve Howes; Doug Stone; Tom Niemann; Richard E. Miller
    Date: 2008
    Source: The Forestry Chronicles. 83(6): 852-866
    Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL)
    PDF: Download Publication  (2.97 MB)

    Description

    Soil disturbance from forest practices ranges from barely perceptible to very obvious, and from positive to nil to negative effects on forest productivity and 1 or hydrologic function. Currently, most public and private landholders and various other interested parties have different approaches to describing this soil disturbance. More uniformity is needed to describe, monitor, and report soil disturbance from forest practices. We describe required elements for attaining: (1) more uniform terms for describing soil disturbance; (2) cost-effective techniques for monitoring or assessing soil disturbance; and (3) reliable methods to rate inherent soil susceptibility to compaction, rutting, mechanical topsoil displacement, and erosion. Visual disturbance categories are practical for describing soil disturbance. Soil disturbance categories for the Pacific Northwest are described in detail to illustrate essential elements for attaining Element One. A number of potential products are listed to meet the other elements. Completion of these will facilitate collecting comparable data and sharing research and training information. Coordinated efforts will also ensure a more seamless process for assessing and reporting for sustainability protocols, and responding to third-party certification protocols. Additionally, these products will improve operational relevance of research results.

    Publication Notes

    • Visit PNW's Publication Request Page to request a hard copy of this publication.
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    • This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

    Citation

    Curran, Mike; Maynard, Doug; Heninger, Ron; Terry, Tom; Howes, Steve; Stone, Doug; Niemann, Tom; Miller, Richard E. 2008. Elements and rationale for a common approach to assess and report soil disturbance. The Forestry Chronicles. 83(6): 852-866

    Keywords

    Soil disturbance, forest productivity, hydrologic function, monitoring, Montreal Process, risk ratings for soils, soil compaction, soil displacement, soil erosion, sustainability protocols, third-party certification

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