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1540542 
Journal Article 
Compaction of forest soils with heavy logging machinery affects soil bacterial community structure 
Frey, B; Kremer, J; Ruedt, A; Sciacca, S; Matthies, D; Luescher, P 
2009 
Yes 
European Journal of Soil Biology
ISSN: 1164-5563 
ELSEVIER FRANCE-EDITIONS SCIENTIFIQUES MEDICALES ELSEVIER 
PARIS 
45 
312-320 
Soil compaction is widespread but tends to be most
prevalent where heavy machinery is used in landfill sites, agriculture and forestry. Three forest
sites strongly disturbed by heavy logging machinery were chosen to test the physical effects of
different levels of compaction on soil bacterial community structure and soil functions.
Community analysis comprised microbial biomass C and T-RFLP genetic profiling. Machine passes,
irrespective of the compaction level, considerably modified soil structural characteristics at
two soil depths (5-10 cm; 15-20 cm). Total porosity decreased up to 17% in the severe compaction.
Reflected in this overall decline were large decreases in macroporosity (>50 mu m). Reduction in
macroporosity was associated with higher water retention and restricted gas exchange in compacted
soils. The strongest effect was observed in the severely compacted wheel tracks where air and
water conductivities were reduced permanently to 10% or even lower of the original conductivities
of undisturbed soils. Very slow drainage in combination with a dramatically reduced gas
permeability led to unfavorable soil conditions in severely disturbed traffic lanes reflecting
the changes in the total bacterial community structures at both soil depths. Additionally,
microbial biomass C tended to be lower in compacted soil. Our results indicate that the type of
severe treatments imposed at these forest sites may have strong adverse effects on long-term soil
sustainability. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. 
Forest soils; Compaction; Porosity; Air permeability; Hydraulic conductivity; Soil fertility; Bacterial community structure; Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism