Rehabilitation of snig tracks and landings following logging of Eucalyptus regnans forest in the Victorian Central Highlands—a review

Summary

Forest operations can potentially have significant detrimental effects on soil physical properties and tree regeneration, establishment and growth, particularly on snig tracks, landings and temporary roads. This may consequently affect catchment water quality. The Code of Practice requires that landings be rehabilitated following logging operations. This paper reviews the effectiveness of rehabilitation techniques and timing on soil recovery and tree growth with reference to the Victorian Central Highlands forest. Ripping with tines mounted on a back of a dozer is widely used in this forest to ameliorate compacted sites. The ripping efficiency can be improved significantly if winged boots are added with the tines. The excavator may also be used in rehabilitating landings and snig tracks. The soil-water content at the time of tillage is very important in terms of good seedbed preparation using any rehabilitation techniques. Various models developed for agricultural soils can be used to predict soil workability periods in the Central Highlands forest.