Evaluation of soil compaction by a tracked vehicle in a planted Abies sachalinensis forest in Hokkaido, Japan

Although harvester-forwarder systems have high work productivity and are safe for the operators, they can cause environmentally detrimental soil compaction and rutting that potentially reduces future tree growth. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate soil compaction by a tracked harvester machine (often used in such systems) and to determine the protective effects of slash matting and snow cover on soil compaction. Soil penetration resistance was increased by machine traffic, whereas rut formation was only slightly increased. Soil compaction caused by the forest machine appeared to be only the initial stages of compaction, and this may have been more severe with the use of machines that impose greater ground pressure. While snow cover provided significant protection, the protective effect of slash mat did not occur. We concluded that snow cover is effective in mitigating soil compaction from forest harvester machines.