Abstract

NAJERA LUNA, Juan Abel et al. Impacts of felling and skidding operations at El Salto, Durango. Rev. mex. de cienc. forestales [online]. 2012, vol.3, n.10, pp.51-64. ISSN 2007-1132.

Quantification of environmental impacts of felling and skidding on residual trees and forest soil in El Salto, Durango, forest region by monitoring these operations on 320 felled and skidded commercial trees, was carried out in the El Brillante, La Campana, San Pablo and La Victoria Ejidos. Direct visual effects on stem and crown of residual trees were registered. In order to assess soil disturbances,1,182 check points throughout the logging study areas were established. In order to determine the volume of soil removed by skidding, measurements of 50 tracks of skid trails in each ejido were recorded too. Results showed that felling effectiveness is 80%, and has the greatest impacts to residual trees. Estimates showed damage upon 3.5 of the remaining trees by each felled tree; pine species were the most damaged, amounting up to 42% of the total. It was also estimated that moderate to strong disturbances are present in 24% of the logging areas and for each cubic meter of skidded wood, 0.481 m³ of soil and organic matter are removed.

Keywords : Forest supply; logging; natural forest; damage to residual trees; soil disturbance; environmental impacts.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )