The Effect of Land Clearing by Bulldozing on some Physical Properties of a Forest Soil

Abstract

The effects of land clearing by bulldozing on some physical properties of a forest soil (Haplic Acrisol) were studied Bulk density was significantly affected by bulldozer clearing. The percentage increases in bulk density at the bulldozed site over the forested control site were 9, 16, 19 and 11 for the 0 - 7.5cm, 7.5 -15cm, 15 - 22.5cm and 22.5 - 30cm soil depth respectively. Soil compaction at the bulldozed site penetrated to a depth of 30 cm with the major compactive effect felt at the 15 - 22.5 C171 depth. Total porosity was significantly higher at the forest site than the bulldozed site. Relative to the forested control site, bulldozed clearing decreased Mal porosity in the 0 - 7,5 cm. 7 5 - 15cm, 15 - 225 cm and 225 - 30 cm depth by 11, 12, 17 and 11 per cent respectively. Bulldozer clearing altered the sandy loam texture of the forest site to sandy clay loam. The mean steady-state infiltration rate was significantly higher at the forest site than the bulldozed site. Bull-dozer clearing reduced the mean infiltration rate by 85 per cent.