SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi / 2026 / Sayı: 12

Short-term effects of timber harvesting activities on forest soil

Tomruk üretim faaliyetlerinin orman toprağı üzerindeki kısa vadeli etkileri

Senem Güneş Şen(Kastamonu Üniversitesi)0000-0001-5566-6676
Sayed Moqadas Sharaf(Baghlan University)0009-0007-0466-1163
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-06-03
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion The findings indicate that tractor-based mechanized timber harvesting and skidding operations can negatively impact soil physical structure and chemical properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, and organic matter content, in the short term.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Background and Aims This study aims to evaluate the short-term effects of tractor-based timber harvesting and skidding operations, on the physical and chemical properties of forest soils.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Methods The research was conducted in a timber harvesting site and a non-harvested control site within the Karadere Forest Management Directorate, Kastamonu, Türkiye.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion The findings indicate that tractor-based mechanized timber harvesting and skidding operations can negatively impact soil physical structure and chemical properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, and organic matter content, in the short term.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Orman üretimi · tomruk üretimi ve sürütme · toprak özellikleri

Abstract

Background and Aims This study aims to evaluate the short-term effects of tractor-based timber harvesting and skidding operations, on the physical and chemical properties of forest soils. Methods The research was conducted in a timber harvesting site and a non-harvested control site within the Karadere Forest Management Directorate, Kastamonu, Türkiye. Soil samples were collected from both sites at two depth intervals (0–20 cm and 20–50 cm), including disturbed and undisturbed soil conditions, and were subsequently analyzed. Results The results revealed statistically significant changes in bulk density (BD), organic matter (OM), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) due to tractor-based timber harvesting and skidding activities. Soil compaction significantly increased in the harvested (skidding-affected) area, while organic matter content decreased notably. Depth-based analysis showed divergent trends in pH and EC values between surface and subsoil layers. However, no significant differences were found in sand, clay, or silt fractions. Conclusion The findings indicate that tractor-based mechanized timber harvesting and skidding operations can negatively impact soil physical structure and chemical properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, and organic matter content, in the short term. Therefore, soil assessments prior to harvesting, minimization of skidding-induced mechanical impacts, and development of post-harvest soil rehabilitation strategies are essential for sustainable forest management.

Özet

Giriş ve Hedefler Bu çalışma, traktörle gerçekleştirilen tomruk hasadı ve sürütme faaliyetlerinin, orman toprağının fiziksel ve kimyasal özellikleri üzerindeki etkilerini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamıştır. Yöntemler Çalışma, Kastamonu ili sınırları içerisinde yer alan Karadere Orman İşletme Müdürlüğü’nde bulunan bir tomruk üretim sahası ile üretim yapılmamış kontrol sahasında yürütülmüştür. Her iki sahadan 0–20 cm ve 20–50 cm olmak üzere iki farklı derinlik kademesinde bozulmuş ve bozulmamış toprak örnekleri alınarak analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular Elde edilen bulgular, traktörle yapılan tomruk hasadı ve sürütme faaliyetlerinin, hacim ağırlığı (HA), organik madde (OM), pH ve elektriksel iletkenlik (EC) parametrelerinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı değişikliklere yol açtığını ortaya koymuştur. Üretim sahasında toprak sıkışması belirgin bir şekilde artarken, organik madde içeriği önemli ölçüde azalmıştır. Derinlik bazında yapılan analizlerde, pH ve EC değerlerinde yüzey ve alt toprak katmanları arasında farklı yönlerde değişimler gözlemlenmiştir. Bununla birlikte, kum, kil ve toz oranlarında anlamlı bir farklılık tespit edilmemiştir. Sonuçlar Çalışma sonuçları, traktörle gerçekleştirilen mekanize tomruk üretim ve sürütme faaliyetlerinin, toprağın fiziksel özellikleri ile pH, elektriksel iletkenlik ve organik madde içeriği gibi kimyasal özelliklerini kısa vadede olumsuz etkileyebileceğini göstermiştir. Bu nedenle, sürdürülebilir ormancılık uygulamaları kapsamında üretim öncesi toprak değerlendirmelerinin yapılması, sürütmeye bağlı mekanik etkilerin en aza indirilmesi ve üretim sonrası toprak rehabilitasyon stratejilerinin geliştirilmesi büyük önem taşımaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Şen, S. G., Sharaf, S. M. (2026). Short-term effects of timber harvesting activities on forest soil. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi, Sayı: 12. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1817532

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (47)

  1. Akay, A. E., Sessions, J., Aruga, K., 2007. Designing a forwarder operation considering tolerable soil disturbance and minimum total cost. Journal of Terramechanics, 44, 187–195.
  2. Ampoorter, E., Van Nevel, L., De Vos, B., Hermy, M., Verheyen, K., 2010. Assessing the effects of initial soil characteristics, machine mass and traffic intensity on forest soil compaction. Forest Ecology and Management, 260, 1664–1676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.08.002.
  3. Ampoorter, E., de Schrijver, A., van Nevel, L., Hermy, M., & Verheyen, K. (2012). Impact of mechanized harvesting on compaction of sandy and clayey forest soils: results of a meta-analysis. Annals of Forest Science, 69, 533–542. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13595-012-0199-y.
  4. Anonim. 2014. Kastamonu Orman Bölge Müdürlüğü, Karadere Orman İşletme Müdürlüğü, Karadere Orman İşletme Şefliği, Ekosistem Tabanlı Fonksiyonel Orman Amenajman Planı (2014–2033).
  5. Baç, B., Güneş Şen, S., 2025. Impacts of Recreational Use on Soil Dynamics in Kastamonu Urban Forest, MEMBA Water Sciences Journal, 11(2), 249-262. https://doi.org/10.58626/memba.1711199.
  6. Baykalı, B., Şen, G. 2024. Determining Urban and Rural Perceptions of Forest Ecosystem Services. Bartın Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 26(3), 175-195.
  7. Bolat, İ., Melemez, K., Özer, D., 2015. The influence of skidding operations on forest soil properties and soil compaction in Bartin, Türkiye. European Journal of Forest Engineering, 1(1), 1-8.
  8. Bouyoucos, G. J., 1936. Directions for making mechanical analysis of soils by the hydrometer method. Soil Science, 42(3), 225–229.
  9. Cambi, M., Certini, G., Neri, F., & Marchi, E. (2015). The impact of heavy traffic on forest soils: a review. Forest Ecology and Management, 338, 124–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2014.11.022.
  10. Cambi, M., Hoshika, Y., Mariotti, B., Paoletti, E., Picchio, R., Venanzi, R., Marchi, E., 2017. Compaction by a forest machine affects soil quality and Quercus robur L. seedling performance in an experimental field. Forest Ecology and Management, 384, 406–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2016.10.045.
  11. Crumsey, J. M., Monie, J. L., Vogel, C. S. Nadelhoffer, K. J., 2014. Historical patterns of exotic earthworm distributions inform contemporary associations with soil physical and chemical factors across a northern temperate forest. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 68, 503-514. Demir, M., Makineci, E., Yılmaz, E., 2007. Harvesting impacts on herbaceous understory, forest floor and top soil properties on skid road in a beech. Journal of Environmental Biology, 28, 427–432.
  12. Emin, N. Mutlu, E., 2024. Akgöl Gölet Havzasının (Sinop-Ayancık) Su Kalitesinin Yerinde Analizlerle Tespiti ve Ağır Metal Kirliliğinin Araştırılması. Menba Kastamonu Üniversitesi Su Ürünleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 10(3), 243-252. DOI: 10.58626/menba.1575325.
  13. Eroğlu, H., 2012. Dağlık arazide farklı bölmeden çıkarma tekniklerinin orman toprağının sıkışmasına etkisi. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 13(2), 213–225.
  14. Eroğlu, H., Sarıyıldız, T., Sancal, M. K. E., 2010. Doğu Ladini meşcerelerinde bölmeden çıkarma çalışmalarının orman toprağının fiziksel özellikleri üzerine etkileri. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, Seri A(1), 30–42.
  15. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2015. Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management (VGSSM). FAO, Rome.
  16. Ganatsios, H. P., Tsioras, P. A., Papaioannou, A. G., Blinn, C. R., 2021. Short-term impacts of harvesting operations on soil chemical properties in a Mediterranean oak ecosystem. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 42(3), 463–476. https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2021.1100.
  17. George, D. Mallery, M., 2010. SPSS for Windows step by step: A simple guide and reference, 17.0 update (10. baskı). Pearson, Boston, ABD.
  18. Grigal, D. F., 2000. Effects of extensive forest management on soil productivity. Forest Ecology and Management, 138(1–3), 167–185. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/S0378-1127(00)00395-9.
  19. Gülçur, F., 1974. Physical and chemical soil analysis methods. İstanbul Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Yayınları. No: 201 (Turkish). Güneş Şen, S. Aydın, M., 2024. Farklı Meşcere Türlerinde Orman altı Yağış, Gövdeden Akış ve İntersepsiyonun Belirlenmesi. Menba Kastamonu Üniversitesi Su Ürünleri Fakültesi Dergisi, 10(1), 115-123.
  20. Heinimann, H., 2007. Forest operations engineering and management – The ways behind and ahead of a scientific discipline. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 28, 107–121.
  21. Higman, S., Mayers, J., Bass, S., Judd, N., Nussbaum, R., 2005. The sustainable forestry handbook: A practical guide for tropical forest managers on implementing new standards. Earthscan.
  22. Işık, M., 2023. Meşe meşceresinde odun üretim faaliyetlerinin toprağa verdiği bazı zararların incelenmesi: Kastamonu / Çöme yöresi örneği (Yüksek lisans tezi, Kastamonu Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Orman Mühendisliği Anabilim Dalı).
  23. James, J., Harrison, R., 2016. The effect of harvest on forest soil carbon: A meta-analysis. Forests, 7(12), 308. https://doi.org/10.3390/f7120308.
  24. Jourgholami M, Labelle ER, Feghhi J., 2019. Efficacy of leaf litter mulch to mitigate runoff and sediment yield following mechanized operations in the Hyrcanian mixed forests. Journal Soils Sediments 19, 2076-2088. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-018-2194-x.
  25. Kuşçu, İ. S. K., 2025. Kalsiyumun Ihlamur odunlarında birikimi ve transferi, Memba Su Bilimleri Dergisi. 11(2) 242-248. https://doi.org/10.58626/memba.1684785.
  26. Kutlu, B. Mutlu, E., 2024. Evaluation of the Şerefiye (Zara-Sivas) Dam According to Water Quality Indexes. Menba Journal of Fisheries Faculty, 10(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.58626/menba.1479473.
  27. Latterini, F., Venanzi, R., Picchio, R., Jagodziński, A. M., 2023. Short-term physicochemical and biological impacts on soil after forest logging in Mediterranean broadleaf forests: 15 years of field studies summarized by a data synthesis under the meta-analytic framework. Forestry, 96(4), 547–560.
  28. Lavoie, G., Gunjal, K., Raghavan, G. S. V. 1991. Soil compaction, machinery selection, and optimum crop planning. Transactions of the ASAE, 34(1), 2-0008. https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.31614. Makineci, E., Demir, M., Yılmaz, E., 2007a. Long-term harvesting effects on skid road in a fir (Abies bornmulleriana Mattf.) plantation forest. Building and Environment, 42(3), 1538–1543.
  29. Makineci, E., Demir, M., Çömez, A., Yılmaz, E., 2007b. Chemical characteristics of the surface soil, herbaceous cover and organic layer of a compacted skid road in a fir (Abies bornmulleriana Mattf.) forest. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 12(7), 453–459.
  30. Makineci, E., Demir, M., Çömez, A., Yılmaz, E., 2007c. Effects of timber skidding on chemical characteristics of herbaceous cover, forest floor and topsoil on skid road in an oak (Quercus petraea L.) forest. Journal of Terramechanics, 44(6), 423–428.
  31. Mangan, P., Bertolo, A., 2003. Impact of logging on yellow perch recruitment in Boreal Shield Lakes. Project Reports 2003/2004, Sustainable Forest Management Network.
  32. McFero Grace III, J., Skaggs, R. W., Cassel, D. K., 2006. Soil physical changes associated with forest harvesting operations on an organic soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 70(2), 503- 509.
  33. Meek, B. D., Rechel, E. R., Carter, L. M., Detar, W. R., 1992. Bulk density of a sandy loam: Traffic, tillage and irrigation-method effects. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 56(2), 562–565.
  34. Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü, 2025. İl ve ilçe istatistikleri: Kastamonu. https://www.mgm.gov.tr/veridegerlendirme/il-ve-ilceler-istatistik.aspx?m=KASTAMONU.
  35. Meyer, C., Lüscher, P., Schulin, R., 2014. Recovery of forest soil from compaction in skid tracks planted with black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.). Soil and Tillage Research, 143, 7–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2014.05.006. Mohieddinne H, Brasseur B, Spicher F, Gallet-Moron E, Buridant J, Kobaissi A, Horen H., 2019. Physical recovery of forest soil after compaction by heavy machines, revealed by penetration resistance over multiple decades. Forest Ecology and Management 449, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117472.
  36. Naghdi, R., Solgi, A., Labelle, E. R., Zenner, E. K., 2016. Influence of ground-based skidding on physical and chemical properties of forest soils and their effects on maple seedling growth. European Journal of Forest Research 135(5), 949-962. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-016-0986-3.
  37. Özyuvacı, N., 1971. Topraklarda erozyon eğiliminin tesbitinde kullanılan bazı önemli indeksler. İstanbul Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Dergisi B, 21(1), 190–207.
  38. Özyuvacı, N., 1976. Hydrologic characteristics of the Arnavutköy Creek watershed as influenced by some plant–soil–water relations (Yayın No: 2082). İstanbul Üniversitesi Orman Fakültesi Yayınları. Kutulmuş Matbaası. (Turkish).
  39. Picchio, R, Mederski, P.S., Tavankar, F., 2020. How and how much, do harvesting activities affect forest soil, regeneration and stands? Current Forestry Reports 6, 115-128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40725-020-00113-8.
  40. Rushton, T., Brown, S., McGrath, T., 2003. Impact of tree length versus short-wood harvesting systems on natural regeneration (Forest Research Report No. 70). Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources.
  41. Şen, G., 2024. Determining population movement-land use interactions for sustainable land management: Case of Türkiye, Menba Journal of Fisheries Faculty, 10(1), 38-58.
  42. Şen, G., 2025. Effects of urban sprawl due to migration on spatiotemporal land use-land cover change: a case study of Bartın in Türkiye. Scientific Reports, 15, 815.
  43. Şen, G., Güneş Şen, S., Ergün Karak, B., 2025. Professional perspectives and expectations of forest engineering students. Turkish Journal of Forestry, 26(3), 319-331.
  44. Tabachnick, B. G., Fidell, L. S., 2013. Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). Pearson.
  45. Thorn, S., Bässler, C., Brandl, R., Burton, P. J., Cahall, R., Campbell, J. L., Castro, J., Choi, C.-Y., Cobb, T., Donato, D. C., Durska, E., Fontaine, J. B., Gauthier, S., Hebert, H., Hothorn, T., Hutto, R. L., Lee, E.-J., Leverkus, A. B., Lindenmayer, D. B., Obrist, M. K., Rost, J., Seibold, S., Seidl, R., Thom, D., Waldron, K., Wermelinger, B., Winter, M.-B., Zmihorski, M., Müller, J., 2018. Impacts of salvage logging on biodiversity: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Ecology, 55(1), 279-289. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12945.
  46. Walmsley, J. D., Godbold, D. L., 2010. Stump harvesting for bioenergy – A review of the environmental impacts. Forestry, 83(1), 17–38. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpp028.
  47. Yiğit, N., 2025, Variation of ge concentration in some coniferous species over long years, Memba Water Sciences Journal, 11(1), 24-33, https://doi.org/10.58626/memba.1667327.