Impacts of tree plantation harvesting on soil density and porosity in CARAGA Region, Mindanao, Philippines

Issue Date

4-2015

Abstract

Tree farming is a common livelihood for people in the CARAGA region. About 2.5 million Filipinos are employed in the tree plantation industry. Harvesting is normally seen in the region on a daily basis, where its impacts are unaccounted for. This research was conducted to study the effects of harvesting on soil bulk density and porosity at the CARAGA region. An experiment following a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments: control, landing site, skid trail, and three replications were set-up. Thirty soil samples were gathered from each replicate and processed in the laboratory. Results showed that mean bulk density was1.29±0.08g cm-3 for the no harvesting site, 1.41±0.10g cm-3 for the landing site and 1.54±0.11 g cm-3 for the skid trail. There was a 19% increase in bulk density for the skid trail as compared to the control site. These values exceed the growth limiting value of 1.45-1.5 g cm-3. Mean porosity values were 51±3% for the no harvesting site, 47±4% for the landing site and 42±4% for the skid trail. A significant decrease of 22% in porosity for the skid trail compared to the control was observed. It is recommended that tillage be practiced to enhance aeration and decrease compaction in the site. The use of slash treatments to minimize the adverse effects of felling and skidding is also suggested.

Source or Periodical Title

Ecosystem & Development Journal: A Journal on Tropical Forests and Natural Resources

ISSN

2012-3612

Volume

5

Issue

2

Page

23-26

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

tables

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

TREES; SOIL DENSITY; POROSITY; PLANTATIONS; HARVESTING; PHILIPPINES

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