What are some impacts of logging on soil?

Logging and/or forest fires cause a direct impact of reducing vegetation cover, and in many cases create a pre-condition for the increase of soil erosion rates during high rainfall. Such an increase in soil erosion rate may be higher than the normal threshold rate from a sustainable forest land productivity viewpoint. read more

Logging Impacts Logging operations on the national forests of the Sierra Nevada continue to have a significant detrimental impact on the ecological health of these vital forest systems. Nevertheless, we also know that in some cases a responsible thinning operation is needed to reduce the fuel profile to promote fire resiliency. read more

Logging is an operation that can have tremendous impacts on soil and water quality if good management isn’t practiced, with slash and burn type logging where land is clear cut, logs are removed, and the debris is wind rowed and burnt. This leaves the soil exposed, and pretty well rutted and torn up so that erosion is inevitable. read more

Logging activities such as landings, access roads, and main skid trails may significantly reduce soil productivity. Some of the negative impacts of harvesting on soil include: 1. Wind erosion 2. Soil compaction 3. Rutting 4. Puddling Wind erosion Depending on the subsequent land use, harvesting can also increase the risk of soil erosion by wind. read more