The influence of logging and animal grazing on the litter layer and water infiltration rate of soils in plantation forests
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Date
1999
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Publisher
Journal of Tropical Forest Scienc
Abstract
The influence of logging and animal grazing on the
litter layer and water infiltration rate of soils in plantation forests. Investigations to
show the extent of soil disturbance caused by logging and animal grazing were carried
out in one of the forest plantations in Tanzania. Water infiltration capacity and ground
litter thickness were used as a measure to determine the extent of soil disturbance.
Data on infiltration rate and litter depth on stands under different management
practices were collected, analysed and compared with data from the nearby undis-
turbed natural forests. The study found that logging and animal grazing reduced
water infiltration rate in the soil and deposition of ground litter. Depending on the
management practice or the condition of the stand, the rate of water infiltration was
reduced from 36 to 96% when compared to water infiltration rate experienced in
the nearby natural forest. While in undisturbed natural forest the mean litter depth
was 11.1 cm, on clearfelled and grazed stands, the litter depth was only 0.9 cm.
The effects of low water infiltration rates and low litter deposition are discussed
and measures aimed at increasing water infiltration rate and litter deposition are
suggested.
Description
Journal of Tropical Forest Science 1999. vol. 11(2): 438 - 445
Keywords
Logging, Animal grazing, Soil compaction, Water infiltration rate, Soil erosion, Litter depth, Soil disturbance