Wpływ wybranych środków zrywkowych na uszkodzenia gleby w rębnych drzewostanach bukowo - jodłowych

The extent and structure of topsoil damage caused by different skidding techniques, like horse, skidder and farm tractor operating together, were determined. The research was carried out during the final cuts in the beech−fir stands situated in the foothill zone. The smallest extent of damage was caused by horse skidding (15% of stand area), while the largest – by skidder (18%). At the same time, the highest volume of disturbed soil (40 m3/ha) characterised horse skidding while the lowest (30 m3/ha) was observed when all the three skidding techniques were used. Analysis of the dimensions (area and volume) of single soil disturbances showed the smallest damage caused by skidder. The larger area and volume of disturbed soil was characteristic for the joint use of the three different skidding techniques. The research showed that soil damage caused by horse skidding was twice less likely than if skidder was used and over 2.5 times more probable if skidding was performed by several techniques.