Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mulching for Reducing Soil Erosion in Skid Trail Switchbacks

Forest operations can lead to increased runoff and soil loss on roads skid trails. The aim of this study was evaluate the effectiveness two erosion control treatments applied different segments trails following six natural rainfall events. A total 162 plots 10 m long by 4 wide were established in a Hyrcanian deciduous forest assess ground-based harvesting traffic. experimental setup consisted three levels traffic intensity (three, eight 16 skidder passes), slope gradient (?20% >20%), classes curvature (narrow = high deflection angle, 60°–70°; low 110°–130°, straight trail segments), mulch cover (bare soil, sawdust cover, rice straw cover). Each treatment combination replicated times, yielding 972 samples. average surface volume differed significantly between switchbacks depended strongly degree curvature, with severity adverse effects increasing curve tightness. Mulch had significant ameliorating effect throughout trail. from treated (SC) (0.24 g m-2 (mm) 0.49 m-2, respectively) lower than covered (RSC) (0.45 1.19 respectively), which were, turn untreated bare (BS) (0.70 2.31 respectively). Surface positively correlated both dry bulk density rut depth negatively litter mass, porosity, macroporosity. is successful measure for controlling losses skidding disturbances, particularly switchback curves steep slopes where potential high.