Efficiency of some conservation treatments for soil erosion control on unallowable slopes of skid trails

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the suitable conservation treatments to control water erosion from skid trails in ShastKalate forests. Two longitudinal slopes of 20-40% and > 40% were considered as critical slopes for skid trails. Treatments of water diversion ruts, water diversion ruts filled with slash and stones were implemented on each slope. A rubber bar was installed at the end of the slope to convert runoff into collectors. Sampling was done during rainfall events in autumn and winter seasons. Findings indicated that the treatment of water diversion ruts filled with slash was better than the other treatments in the control of sediment and soil loss, especially in the slope class of 20–40%. In the slope class of > 40%, there was not any significant difference between treatments in sediment and soil loss control, but generally water diversion ruts filled with slash and stones were better in soil erosion control than water diversion ruts. In both slope classes, the rainfall intensity of 0.11 mm·h^–1 (2.64 mm in 24 h) was the threshold of soil erosion on skid trails. The control of water erosion of soil on skid trails by the operation of water diversions is a suitable treatment for conserving skid trails.