Soil and Root Damage in Forestry - Reducing the Impact of Forest Mechanization

Agroforestry has significantly impacted our forests, but an often-overlooked issue is the effect of harvesting on soils and root systems. Soil and Root Damage in Forestry explains how soil and roots might be damaged through logging activities or silvicultural activities, how resulting root diseases impact the root and soil systems, and the impacts of chemical applications on the soil and root system.  This book goes beyond the 'why' to also provide methods to reduce the impacts of machines on soils and offers solutions to minimize the impacts of machines on soils. Soil and Root Damage in Forestry serves as a valuable resource not only for those already working in soil science and forest ecology, but also provides insights for advanced students seeking an entrance to the 'hidden half' of the planet.

• Combines damages to soil and roots in one volume for the first time
• Includes calculations related to soil strength providing soil scientists and ecologists with methods to estimate root damage
• Provides suggestions on how to reduce the impact of harvesting on soil and root systems

Iwan Wasterlund, Ph.D. is a retired Professor in Forest Technology (1995-2001), Olasgarden Forest and Roads, Savar, Sweden. He is the former President of ISTVS on the FAO/ECE expert team on soil damage (approximately 300 members) and has been the chairman of an ECE/FAO/ILO team of specialists. Dr. Wasterlund has been a referee on approximately 150 papers, including Silva Fennica, Terramechanics, Forest Ecological Management. He has produced almost 100 Master thesis and 10 doctorate dissertations.