Att4A_Soil_Disturbance_Monitoring_Protocol_Vol.I.pdf

Forest Soil Disturbance Monitoring Protocol

Volume I: Rapid Assessment

By Deborah S. Page-Dumroese, Ann M. Abbott, and Thomas M. Rice

Schematics from Napper et al. (N.d.)

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Gen. Tech. Report WO-82a

September 2009

Disclaimer

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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for com-munication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave-nue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, or call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or (202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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ContentS

Acknowledgments ........................................................................iv

General Summary .........................................................................iv

Introduction

Objective

Rapid Assessment Steps

Transect Options

How Many Monitoring Points Do I Need?

What Is a Monitoring Point?

Unique Monitoring Strategies

Soil Disturbance Classes

Safety

What Data Should I Collect?

Data To Collect While in the Office

Step-by-Step Field Survey Method

Filling Out the Field Form

Site Descriptors and Soil Indicators

Machine Traffic Disturbances

Surface Organic Matter

Displacement

Point Attributes

Erosion

Prescribed Fire and Pile Burning

Assigning a Disturbance Class

Literature Cited

Appendix A. Safety of Hazard Analysis ivVolume I Rapid Assessment

Acknowledgments

The monitoring approach and methods in volume I and volume II are the result of extensive collaboration between the Forest Ser-vice, U.S. Department of Agriculture National Forest System and Research and Development. The Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in cooperation with the Northern Region led the effort. Although the development of this protocol has been guided by suggestions from a large number of regional soil program leaders, forest soil scientists, research soil scientists, university professors, and British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range soil scientists, we particularly want to acknowledge the input and guidance from Sharon DeHart1, Sue Farley2, and Randy Davis3. Countless reviewers, workshop participants, students, and technicians have tested this protocol and offered input on how to make it more user friendly. Their input has been extraordinarily beneficial.

1 Former Soil Program Leader, Northern Region, Missoula, MT.

2 Forest Soil Scientist, Helena National Forest, Helena, MT.

3 National Soil Program Leader, Washington Office, Washington, DC.

General Summary

This document—Volume I: Rapid Assessment—outlines a frame-work for monitoring soil disturbances from forest management preactivity and postactivity. Volume II: Supplementary Methods, Statistics, and Data Collection defines key terms, explains the development of a statistically sound data collection method, and describes how data should be stored. Volume III: Scientific Background for Soil Monitoring on National Forests and Range-lands includes the proceedings from a workshop held to define the state of the science. This volume outlines the step-by-step field protocols to get a rapid assessment of the disturbance characteristics before and after land management.

1Volume I Rapid Assessment

Introduction

This volume of the Forest Soil Disturbance Monitoring Protocol (FSDMP) describes how to monitor forest sites before and after ground disturbing management activities for physical attributes that could influence site resilience and long-term sustainability.

The attributes describe surface conditions that affect site sus-tainability and hydrologic function. Monitoring the attributes of surface cover, ruts, compaction, and platy structure can also be used to generate best management practices that help maintain site productivity.

Key Monitoring Points The Forest Soil Disturbance Monitoring Protocol describes surface conditions that affect—

This protocol is intended to be used by field soil scientists and watershed specialists when evaluating physical soil disturbance in a forested setting. This rapid assessment tool can also be use-ful, however, for timber sale administrators, logging contractors, hydrologists, and the general public to help them understand how to monitor soil disturbance using standardized visual disturbance classes. Monitoring soil disturbance preactivity and postactivity enables the Forest Service to assess the success of management activities in meeting legal, regulatory, and policy objectives. By using a consistent monitoring approach, forests in every Forest Service region can build soil resource programs to meet their specific requirements in accord with their soil quality standards and guidelines. Table 1 provides common definitions of frequently used soil descriptors.

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Forest floor impacted Forest floor material includes all organic horizons above the mineral soil surface.

Topsoil displacement The surface mineral soil primarily includes the A horizons, but if the A horizon is shallow or undeveloped, it may include other horizons. This disturbance is usually due to machinery but does not include “rutting” described below.

Rutting Ruts vary in depth but are primarily the result of equipment movement. Ruts are defined as machine-generated soil displacement or compression. Often soil puddling is also present within the rut.

Burning (light, moderate, severe) severity

Burn severity includes only effects on the forest floor and mineral soil, not on above-ground vegetation.

Compaction Compaction by equipment results in either a compression of the soil profile or increased resistance to penetration.

Platy structure/ massive/puddled

Flat-lying or tabular structure in the mineral soil. “Massive” indicates no structural units are present and soil material is a coherent mass.

Puddled soil is often found after wet weather harvest operations. Soil pores are usually smeared and prevent water infiltration.

Table 1.—Visual indicators and their definitions.

objective

The FSDMP defines indicators that can be measured consistently, efficiently, and economically. It is intended for use in any forested activity area to set the stage to address and report project effects. The FSDMP provides estimates of soil disturbance and confidence intervals around the monitoring results. The estimates are based on sample sizes calculated from the onsite variability estimated from the first 30 monitoring points in the sample and a predetermined confidence level. The following chart shows the rapid assessment steps.

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Rapid Assessment Steps

Steps

Define the monitoring objective (preactivity, postactivity, short-term monitoring, long-term monitoring, etc.).

Gather the necessary background information—soil survey, maps, photos, etc.—and determine if the site should be stratified. Enter site description data on FSDMPSoLo worksheet #1 (SoLo Info).

Decide on confidence level (FSDMP worksheet #3 – Data Entry), transect design, and indicators needed (FSDMP worksheet #2 – Variable Selection).

Describe site management, slope, soil texture, soil depth, aspect, landform or topography, and elevation (FSDMP worksheet #1 – Data Entry).

Begin monitoring (FSDMP worksheet #3 – Data Entry).

Summarize results (FSDMP worksheet #4 - Results).

transect options option 1. Randomly oriented transects

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In this option transects are laid out randomly on a site map before going to the field. Monitoring points can be collected along these randomly established transects to collect the minimum number of points needed. At each intersection, a 30 m (~100 ft) transect is established. The attributes are then noted at monitoring points located along each transect.

option 2. Systematic Grid Points

In this option the protocol calls for establishing a systematic grid of monitoring points arrayed on a map or aerial photograph of the activity area to be monitored. The entire grid is randomly located and oriented, and the distance between monitoring points is constructed to provide a sample size that meets precision requirements or cost limitations specified in the objectives for monitoring. Each grid intersection locates a monitoring point that radiates in a random chosen direction and distance from the grid point (Howes 2006).

5Volume I Rapid Assessment option 3. A Random transect

In this option the protocol calls for randomly locating a start point and traversing a transect that covers the entire unit so that the first 30 monitoring points (the minimum required) are spaced to provide an adequate assessment of the site. The entire transect is randomly located and oriented, and the distance between monitoring points is constructed to provide a sample size that meets precision requirements or cost limitations specified in the objectives for monitoring. Turning points are usually located within the activity area so that the last monitoring point before a turn is not within an area of influence of the surrounding stand (usually the height of the tallest trees). Additional transects at random directions are often needed to reach the appropriate sample size. If the transect begins to follow a skid road, either offset from the skid road or start a new random transect. Record offset or new direction.

How Many Monitoring Points Do I need?

The minimum number of monitoring points is 30. This minimum number is required to get site-specific variability for statistically valid sample size, and these 30 points should be conducted as a rapid assessment using the soil indicators selected. Only when the variability within the site is very small will the minimum of

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30 be the final number of monitoring points. As the variability in disturbance within the site increases, so does the sample size required to achieve a confidence interval using a predetermined confidence level and interval width. If fewer than 30 monitoring points are taken, the sample sizes and confidence intervals cal-culated in the spreadsheet may be incorrect. The consequence of using more than 30 samples, but fewer than the number that the spreadsheet recommends, is that the confidence interval will be wider than the predetermined width, as indicated by the “Lower Bound” and “Upper Bound” values on the spreadsheet.

Volume II addresses details of the formulas used for calculating sample size, the available confidence levels, and alternatives for varying sampling intensity.

We strongly recommend entering the data into the electronic spreadsheet rather than using the paper data collection form, because calculation of the intervals by hand is tedious and error prone. Summary levels of disturbance classes are also provided in the electronic Results worksheet (see appendix C-4 in volume II). Because disturbance class is an ordinal variable (meaning that levels of this variable are ordered categories), confidence intervals are not calculated.

For details on how to stratify sample points within a project area or about stratifying the number of project areas to sample, see volume II.

What Is a Monitoring Point?

For the FSDMP, a monitoring point is defined as a 15-cm (6-in) diameter circular area around the end of your toe. The presence or absence of each disturbance indicator at the point is noted.

The visual disturbance class of each sample point is determined using the most limiting visual indicator at the point (table 2).

Areas outside the monitoring point can be used for determining the general context of the disturbance but should not be used to decide the class of the point. Using the surrounding areas to determine the disturbance class would bias the sample system, especially if applied differently to different visual attributes.

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Soil disturbance class 0

Soil surface:

• No evidence of compaction; i.e., past equipment operation, ruts, skid trails.

• No depressions or wheel tracks evident.

• Forest floor layers present and intact.

erosion.

• Litter and duff layers not burned.

No soil char. Water repellency may be present.

Table 2.—Soil disturbance classes used in the Forest Soil Disturbance Monitoring Protocol. Soil disturbance classes increase in severity of impact from class 0 to class 3. (1 of 2)

Soil disturbance class 1

Soil surface:

• Faint wheel tracks or slight depressions evident and are <5 cm deep.

• Forest floor layers present and intact.

• Surface soil has not been displaced and shows minimal mixing with subsoil.

• Burning light: Depth of char <1 cm. Accessory*: Litter charred or consumed. Duff largely intact. Water repellency is similar to preburn conditions.

Soil compaction:

• Compaction in the surface soil is slightly greater than observed under natural conditions.

• Concentrated from 0 to 10 cm deep.

Observations of soil physical conditions:

• Change in soil structure from crumb or granular structure to massive or platy structure;

restricted to the surface 0 to 10 cm.

can penetrate or grow around the platy structure. No “J” rooting observed.

• Erosion is slight.

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Table 2.—Soil disturbance classes used in the Forest Soil Disturbance Monitoring Protocol. Soil disturbance classes increase in severity of impact from class 0 to class 3. (2 of 2)

Soil disturbance class 2

Soil surface:

• Wheel tracks or depressions are

5 to 10 cm deep.

• Accessory*: Forest floor layers partially intact or missing.

• Surface soil partially intact and may be mixed with subsoil.

• Burning moderate: Depth of char is 1 to 5 cm. Accessory*:

Duff deeply charred or con-sumed. Surface soil water repellency increased compared with the preburn condition.

Soil compaction:

• Increased compaction is present from 10 to 30 cm deep.

Observation of soil physical condition:

• Change in soil structure from crumb or granular structure to massive or platy structure;

restricted to the surface, 10 to 30 cm.

• Platy structure is generally continuous.

• Accessory*: Large roots may penetrate the platy structure, but fine and medium roots may not.

• Erosion is moderate.

Soil disturbance class 3

Soil surface:

• Wheel tracks and depressions highly evident with depth >10 cm.

• Accessory*: Forest floor layers missing.

• Evidence of surface soil removal, gouging, and piling.

• Most surface soil displaced.

Surface soil may be mixed with subsoil. Subsoil partially or totally exposed.

• Burning severe: Depth of char is >5 cm. Accessory*: Duff and litter layer completely consumed.

Surface soil is water repellent.

Surface is reddish or orange in places.

Soil compaction:

• Increased compaction is deep in the soil profile (>30 cm deep).

Observations of soil physical conditions:

• Change in soil structure from granular structure to massive or platy structure extends beyond 30 cm deep.

penetrate the platy structure.

• Erosion is severe and has produced deep gullies or rills.

*Accessory items are those descriptors that may help identify individual severity classes.

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Unique Monitoring Strategies

Volume II outlines the details of unique monitoring strategies.

These strategies provide a standardized protocol for assessing

stumps, fallen trees, slash piles (containing tree tops, branches, brush, etc.) and so on that fall on a sample point. Volume II also standardizes descriptions of how to assess prescribed fire and wildfire areas and defines landings and temporary and perma-nent roads that fall within the scope of the FSDMP.

Soil Disturbance Classes

Table 2 shows a four-level soil disturbance classification system.

Disturbance classes used in the FSDMP are defined primarily by morphological (visual) attributes, not quantitative measures.

In this visual class system, an increased severity of soil surface disturbance indicates a change in the disturbance class. Some changes (such as compaction and rutting), however, are linked to an increase in that property at depth. Evidence of deep soil compaction (e.g., deep ruts) is often present but not always. A shovel or metal probe may be needed if deep soil compaction is questionable. Because the results of management activities on soil productivity vary by soil type (Fleming et al. 2006, Gomez et al. 2002, Page-Dumroese et al. 2000, Page-Dumroese et al.

2006, Powers et al. 1998), this document does not prescribe any disturbance class as detrimental soil disturbance. Each Forest Service administrative region should determine where and when a detrimental call should be made based on local knowledge, research, and experience. Often, the definition of detrimental dis-turbance is tied to existing soil quality standards and guidelines.

After the determination of detrimental disturbance is defined and noted, then this FSDMP can be used to calculate the amount of detrimental disturbance (e.g., if 5 out of 100 sample points are considered in a detrimental condition, then 5 percent of the area has been detrimentally disturbed).

As the activity area is walked, each monitoring point is placed in one of the predefined classes. The monitoring point may represent soil indicators from more than one soil disturbance

10Volume I Rapid Assessment class, and the soil scientist or other observer must decide which disturbance class best describes the monitoring point.

Local, forest-level class descriptors can be added to table 2, but the core descriptors outlined in this volume cannot be removed.

For classes to remain consistent among administrative units, core descriptors cannot be changed. If a core classification descriptor is found to be lacking applicability across many forests, the classification descriptor will undergo a regional and research review and the protocol will be updated if needed. (See volume II for information about change management.)

Safety

A sample job hazard analysis has been included in this volume as appendix A. Each national forest is encouraged to modify the job hazard analysis to suit local conditions and safety concerns.

What Data Should I Collect?

Data to Collect While in the office

Before starting a field evaluation of soil disturbance on an activity area, study available existing information sources and record applicable information in the SoLo Info electronic worksheet (see appendix C-1 in volume II and additional details in appendix G in volume II). Having information on soil texture, landform, aspect, and so on will provide a context for the data and provide information for long-term monitoring (if needed). In general, the following steps should be followed before going into the field:

Consult the most current subsection map (McNab et al. 2007) 1.

and available landtype association maps for general site characteristics. The SoLo database may require some of this information, which can help stratify the area for sampling. It is important to note, however, that such broad-scale maps are not appropriate for the more detailed site information needed to assess soil quality.

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Consult available soil surveys and terrestrial ecological unit 2.

inventories (TEUIs) for more detailed site information and for the description and morphology of the soils that occur in the project area. Soil surveys may have been done by the Forest Service or by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and may be referred to as soil resource inventories, TEUIs, or landtype inventories. This information can help establish soil reference conditions for the activity area. It is critical, however, to confirm the actual soil type after you are in the field.

Check previous field review and soil monitoring reports and 3.

use available data.

For postharvest assessments, consult the harvest plan and 4.

contract information to determine where existing skid trails, land-ings, or changes in harvest operations may have occurred.

Step-by-Step Field Survey Method

Before starting field work, ensure that the SoLo Info worksheet (see appendix C-1 in volume II) is as complete as possible, then determine the intensity of sampling (confidence level and interval width) with input from a line officer. As noted earlier, the area for the visual assessment is a 15-cm (6-in) diameter circular area around the monitoring point. Continuous variables such as ruts, skid trails, or landings can be measured (using a tape measure, laser measure, etc.) and the total area and areal extent of the disturbance can be calculated using the “ONSITE” feature of the database. If a survey of skid trails, landings, or ruts indicates excess (based on regional soil quality standards and guidelines) detrimental soil disturbance, then it is likely that further assessment is not necessary because the applicable soil quality standard has already been exceeded. If the large features do not exceed the maximum area for disturbance, however, the FSDMP assessment may be warranted. If no large features are in the activity area, a rapid assessment may be sufficient on some activity areas to confirm that the applicable soil quality standards have been met.

Choose the visual disturbance category by selecting the one best fitting the monitoring point. This protocol is to be used in cases in which activity areas are defined and discrete. For assessment

12Volume I Rapid Assessment of areas in a watershed context, without defined and discrete activity units, see this volume’s section titled “Unique Monitoring Strategies.”

Baseline (Preactivity) Assessment

Step 1. Prework—Determine why you are monitoring (goals) and if the FSDMP is the most efficient method for accomplishing those goals. As noted in the section titled “Data To Collect While in the Office,” fill out as much of the electronic or paper form as possible using existing documentation and interviews with other team members (see also appendix G in volume II). Inspection of topographic maps and areal photography can reveal basic landform information, such as slope and drainage patterns that affect soil productivity or hydrologic function. Select the variables you want to use for monitoring the activity area (Variable Selec-tion worksheet, appendix C-2 in volume II). Determine the size of the activity area. Determine which option for monitoring point layout will work best for your site (see appendix A in volume II). If choosing a random transect, select the length of transect needed and the distance between points. If choosing a grid point survey, select a random orientation for the grid points. If using an elec-tronic portable data recorder, predetermine grid point locations and save them onto the recorder.

Step 2. Select the Data Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II). If past ground-disturbing activities (e.g., stumps, skid trails, roads, differences in vegetation age or composition, or trash) are evident, continue to use the FSDMP for a quantitative estimate of the amount and extent of disturbance. Often, aerial photos and other maps can be used to determine the extent of effects. Field verification of compaction, displacement, or change in hydrologic state is necessary on sites with legacy effects. From preactivity assessments, determination of cumulative effects may be facilitated. Conversely, if records of previous management resulted in minimal soil disturbance and the activity area has similar soils, vegetation, aspect, and slope throughout the unit, then space a minimum of 30 monitoring points to cover the entire unit. When using the sample size calculator and appropriate confidence level, more points may be necessary. Take note of preactivity forest floor depth and composition, mineral soil horizon depth(s), and depth to bedrock (if applicable).

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Step 3. Document a preactivity starting point using a Global Posi-tioning System or other method of precise point location documen-tation. Using the sampling scheme selected from step 1, start sampling 5 m (~15 ft) inside the unit to avoid edge effects. If using a portable data recorder (see appendix F in volume II), upload a map of the site and add predetermined monitoring point locations before going into the field. Predetermining monitoring point loca-tions can also be done with paper copies of available maps.

Step 4. After locating the starting point within the activity area, calculate the distance between points based on activity area size.

To avoid bias, sample point distances must be predetermined and documented before starting. Points must be evenly spaced to cover the entire activity area. For instance, if the activity area is ~1,000 m (3,300 ft) long and you need to take 30 sample points, points should be at least 35 m (110 ft) apart along the random transect. If the transect (or point grid) does not adequately cover the range of variability, then take more transects (or grid points) to confirm the presence or absence of dispersed disturbance and the nature of the dispersed disturbance.

Step 5. Walk to the first point and assess the soil surface condition using the Data Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II).

On the data form, record a “1” if the indicator is present and a “0” if the indicator or statement is absent, ending with a general Soil Disturbance Class (using table 3). For assistance with visual class determinations, use the Soil Disturbance Field Guide Napper et al. N.d.). Continue collecting data at each monitoring point along the transect (grid). When you reach the edge of the activity area, select another transect direction (a predetermined grid point sampling scheme should be placed entirely within the activity area boundary) at an appropriate angle (toward the inside of the activity area) from the previous transect and continue data collection on the same spreadsheet. Note that, as you make observations at each monitoring point, the required sample size will likely change as the estimated variability changes.

Step 6. Continue the assessment until you reach the appropriate sample size. On the data form, record a “1” if the indicator is present and a “0” if the indicator or statement is absent, ending with a general soil disturbance class (table 2). Take AT LEAST 30 monitoring points in the activity area that has disturbance. Use aerial photos, ONSITE, or activity area maps to measure tempo-

14Volume I Rapid Assessment rary roads and landings within or contiguous to the activity area, but take additional notes. Estimate disturbance on temporary roads or landings not in the activity area separately and manually add after completing this method.

Step 7. Use the comment field at the bottom of each column (or a field notebook) to document noteworthy existing disturbance.

Use these comments to document unusual spatial features related to the disturbances or to record the type and severity of erosion features.

Step 8. In the last row of the Data Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II) indicate if the soil disturbance is detrimental.

This row of information is based on the professional judgment of a qualified soil scientist, literature, or other local studies.

Disturbance type

Severity class

0 1 2 3 equipment impacts

Past operation

None. Dispersed. Faint. Obvious.

Wheel tracks or depressions

None. Faint wheel tracks or slight depressions evident (<5 cm deep).

Wheel tracks or depressions are >5 cm deep.

Wheel tracks or depressions highly evident with a depth being >10 cm.

Equipment trails from more than two passes

None. Faintly evident. Evident, but not heavily trafficked.

Main trails that are heavily used.

Excavated and bladed trails1

None. None. None. Present.

Table 3.—Examples of soil visual indicators and management activities. (1 of 3)

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Disturbance type

Severity class

0 1 2 3

Table 3.—Examples of soil visual indicators and management activities. (2 of 3)

Penetration and resistance2

Natural con-ditions.

Resistance of surface soils may be slightly greater than observed under natural conditions.

Increased resistance is concentrated in the surface (10 cm).

Increased resistance is present throughout the top 30 cm of soil.

Increased resistance is deep into the soil profile (>30 cm).

Soil physical condition

Natural con-ditions.

Change in soil structure from crumb or granular structure to massive or platy structure in the surface (10 cm).

Change in soil structure in the surface (30 cm). Platy (or massive) structure is generally continuous.

On older sites, large roots may penetrate the platy structure, but fine and medium roots may not.

Change in soil structure extends beyond the top 30 cm. Platy (or massive) structure is continuous. On older sites, roots do not penetrate the platy structure.

Displacement

Forest floor None. Forest floor layers present and intact.

Forest floor layers partially intact or missing.

Forest floor layers missing.

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Disturbance type

Severity class

0 1 2 3

Table 3.—Examples of soil visual indicators and management activities. (3 of 3)

Mineral soil None. Soil surface has not been displaced and shows minimal mixing with subsoil.

Mineral topsoil partially intact and may be mixed with subsoil.

Evidence of topsoil removal, gouging, and piling. Soil displacement has removed most of the surface soil.

Surface soil may be mixed with subsoil or subsoil may be partially or totally exposed.

Erosion None. Slight erosion evident (i.e., sheet erosion3).

Moderate amount of erosion evident (i.e., sheet and rill erosion3).

Substantial amount of erosion evident. Gullies, pedestals, and rills noticeable.

Burning None. Fire impacts are light.

Forest floor is charred but intact. Gray ash becomes inconspicuous and surface appears lightly charred to black.

Soil surface structure intact.

Fire impacts are moderate.

Litter layer is consumed and humus layer is charred or consumed.

Mineral soil not visibly altered, but soil organic matter (OM) has been partially charred.

Fire impacts are deep. The entire forest floor is consumed and top layer of mineral soil is visibly altered.

Surface mineral structure and texture are altered. Mineral soil is black due to charred or deposited OM or is orange from burning.

1 Evaluate on main trails but not necessarily for wheel tracks or depressions.

2 Soil resistance to penetration with a tile spade or probe is best done when the soil is not moist or wet.

3 See USDA NRCS (1993).

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Postactivity Assessment

Step 1. Before starting work in an activity area, examine the soil in a nearby undisturbed unit for forest floor thickness, composition, mineral soil horizon depth(s), and depth to bedrock (if applicable).

If baseline data have been collected (as in baseline assessment step 2), then this examination procedure may not be necessary.

Examining an undisturbed area is essential, however, if one observer recorded the preactivity data and another observer is collecting the postactivity data. If an undisturbed site is not available, examine the undisturbed soil around stumps to become familiar with uncompacted soil conditions. Decide on the type of monitoring transect needed and locate a starting point using a method simi-lar to that used for the preactivity assessment. It is not necessary to replicate transect locations from the previous assessment.

The required sample size is likely to be different because of the increased variability of the site postactivity. It is better to complete two different assessments within the activity area.

Step 2. Using the procedure described for preactivity assess-ments, determine the soil surface disturbance. Record data points until you have taken enough monitoring points to reach the sample size calculated by the electronic spreadsheet or shown on the paper sample size table.

As in steps 7 and 8 (in the preactivity assessment), indicate the disturbance class for each point and indicate which points are considered detrimentally disturbed and would affect long-term site sustainability.

Filling out the Field Form

The worksheet forms for the FSDMP provide for a core set of attributes that are important for linking soil disturbance to changes in site productivity. Although these forms represent a core data set, however, on some sites they may not be an expected attribute of the site. The soil indicators may also represent a more intense sampling scheme than is required for the monitoring objectives. By varying the sampling intensity and turning some attributes “off,” you can still collect some of the soil indicators but be more efficient at data collection. The forms were designed so that a rapid assessment of soil disturbance would consistently look at a standard set of soil disturbance

18Volume I Rapid Assessment indicators; collecting this standard set of data is the reason why you must fill out each column completely before moving on to the next monitoring point. Do not modify the soil indicators on either the electronic or paper forms; the forms were designed to make data entry into the SoLo database quick and easy.

Site Descriptors and Soil Indicators

Each monitored activity area must have the required site descriptors included on the reports. These descriptors and their definitions are located in appendix G of volume II.

Detailed definitions about soil indicators used in the FSDMP appear in volume II. Table 3 illustrates the visually recognizable attributes of each indicator. When assessing soil indicators, each indicator can place the monitoring point into a different soil dis-turbance class. You must decide which feature is the overriding concern (based on soil texture, expected vegetative response, or site sensitivity) and to which soil disturbance class the monitoring point will be assigned.

Machine traffic Disturbances

Use the ONSITE worksheet to calculate large features and deter-mine the areal extent of skid trails, ruts, and landings. If the areal extent of these features is over the regional limit for detrimental disturbance, additional monitoring may or may not be needed.

Compaction

The Data Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II) has three rows that list compaction (by depth). Determine the maximum extent of compaction and record a “1” (present) in the appropriate cell for that monitoring point. Record a “0” in each of the other two rows. If compaction occurs throughout the profile (not at one depth), then place a “1” in each cell for compaction. Visual indicators of change in compaction level are past operations (from aerial photos or databases), wheel tracks or depressions (ruts), equipment trails (e.g., from more than two passes), excavated or bladed trails, penetration resistance, and a change in structure.

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Insert a metal rod or shovel into the ground to determine changes in the compaction level of a monitoring point. This surrogate for bulk density sampling can be effective if undisturbed soils are nearby to calibrate this “push” test. You must calibrate yourself to the physical resistance of each soil type. Although a change in compaction is often measured by pushing a rod or spade into the soil (or taking a bulk density core), the visual attributes listed previously (wheel tracks, equipment trails, etc.) may be all that is necessary to determine a change in surface disturbance.

Placing compaction into a soil disturbance class (disturbance class 1, 2, or 3) is based on depth of compaction change into the mineral soil. Because of this depth relationship, it is important to know the undisturbed condition (at depths) of the soil preactivity.

Rutting and/or Wheel Track Impressions

The Data Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II) has three rows in which ruts are listed (by depth). Determine the maximum extent of the rut and record a “1” (present) in the cell for that monitoring point. Record a “0” in each of the other two rows. To measure the depth of the rut, you may need to determine where the approximate surface of the undisturbed soil is (or was). As mentioned previously, you can measure these physical features for area (length multiplied by the average width) and enter them into ONSITE to determine areal extent.

Wheel tracks or ruts (impressions in the soil caused by heavy equipment) vary in depth and width. On sites that have a high compaction hazard (e.g., fine-textured soils, steep slopes), a shallow rut may cause degradation in site quality by altering the flow of water and gasses in the soil and/or increasing soil penetration resistance. On sites that have a low compaction hazard (e.g., coarse-textured soils), deeper ruts may not cause a detrimental change to water and gas flow but may represent displacement of fertile topsoil layers. Regardless of texture, how-ever, wheel tracks and ruts can cause water to be routed off a site, making it unavailable for plant growth. Within a rut or wheel track could also be altered soil structure, increased soil density, puddling, compacted deposits of forest floor, fine slash, and woody debris (not readily excavated with a shovel). Placing ruts and wheel tracks into a soil disturbance category (disturbance class 1, 2, or 3) is based on their depth on the soil surface and their extension into the mineral soil profile.

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Soil Structure

Record massive/platy/puddled soil on the Data Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II). Determination of a change in structure is by depth and can sometimes be linked to the change in compaction level at the same depth. Determine the maximum extent of the change in structure and record a “1” (present) in the cell for that monitoring point. Record a “0” in each of the other two rows, unless these structural changes extend beyond one depth. In that case, record a 1 in each field.

Massive, platy, and puddled structures are indicators of a change in soil structure and a reduction in pore sizes that will change pore size distribution. Massive soil can be naturally occurring or can be caused by management activities. Massive structure means structural units are not present and the soil is a coherent mass. Platy structure can also be naturally occurring, but coarse-platy structure that has flat or tabular-like (dinner plate) units within the profile is usually caused by harvesting equipment.

Puddled soils occur when equipment operates when the soil is too wet; soil is smeared along a wheel track or rut and causes water to pond on the surface. The change in soil physical condi-tions and their depth into the mineral soil profile will determine in which soil disturbance category (severity class) you will place it.

Surface organic Matter

The Data Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II) has a row for recording the depth of the forest floor (all surface organic horizons combined). Forest floor depth can be used to determine loss of nutrients from the organic layers. If the organic layers are piled and burned, nutrients are lost from the site. Page- Dumroese et al. (2000) describe how to use the NRCS soil data to determine approximate nutrient amounts and potential losses.

Depending on site variability, you can collect this value for some (e.g., every 10 points) or all of the points. Measure the forest floor depth with a pocket ruler.

Displacement

Forest Floor

Record if the forest floor is impacted (e.g., if the surface organic matter has been moved from one place to another) on the Data

21Volume I Rapid Assessment

Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II). The item reads “forest floor impacted.” Record either a “0” (forest floor is not impacted) or a “1” (forest floor is impacted) in this row for each monitoring point. Large areas of displaced forest floor can lead to changes in nutrient cycling or erosion. Changes in the distribution and depth of the forest floor will change the soil disturbance severity rating. If the area of forest floor displacement is large, measure the area (length times average width) and enter the result into the ONSITE portion of the database to determine areal extent.

Mineral Soil

Record removal of the top mineral soil under “topsoil displace-ment.” Record either a “0” (displacement is absent) or a “1” (displacement is present) in this row for each monitoring point.

Mineral top soil displacement and gouging can result in degrada-tion of site quality by exposing unfavorable subsoil material (e.g., denser, lower in nutrients, less organic matter, calcareous), altering slope hydrology, and causing excessive erosion and, therefore, a loss of nutrients. Displacement that has removed most of the surface soil and exposed the subsoil is considered severity class 3. The impacts of mineral soil displacement on long-term productivity are governed by slope gradient, slope complexity, and subsoil conditions.

Changes in the soil disturbance categories are based on mixing of topsoil with the subsoil, topsoil removal, and evidence of gouging and piling. This attribute is the only one specifically linked to an areal extent in most regional soil quality standards and guidelines. Document the areal extent used by individuals before monitoring and list it in the comment field. Because the electronic field form is used to calculate ongoing sample size using “0s” and “1s,” areal extent size must be listed elsewhere.

For example, if the regional soil quality standards lists an areal extent (e.g., >1.5 m (5 ft) in diameter), then use that areal extent for counting mineral soil displacement (counted as “1” [present] on the worksheet). In addition, if areas of mineral soil displace-ment are extraordinarily large, measure them for area (length multiplied by the average width) and enter the result into the ONSITE calculator.

22Volume I Rapid Assessment

Point Attributes

After recording information about forest floor impacted, use the section on the Data Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II) that asks for information about live plants, invasive species, fine woody material, coarse woody material, bare soil, and rock.

These attributes are meant to help describe site conditions that may indicate a change in site sustainability or erosion potential.

These attributes are not automatically included in the sample size calculation on the Variable Selection worksheet (see appendix C-2).

If these attributes are important for particular sites, however, they may be included in the sample size calculation.

erosion

Record erosion in the Data Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II) under “erosion.” Record either a “0” (absent) or a “1” (present) in this row for each monitoring point. Soil erosion is the movement of soil by water and wind. Accelerated erosion (erosion caused by human activity that is more than the historic erosion rate) causes both onsite (soil loss, nutrient loss, lower productivity, shallower mineral soil) and offsite (reduced stream water quality, increased sedimentation, loss of aquatic habitat) impacts.

Erosion noted in the FSDMP is for surface soils within an activity area. It is not designed for roads, ditches, or places where the subsoil is exposed. The degree and extent (slight, moderate, or severe) of erosion will place this attribute into different soil disturbance (severity) categories.

Prescribed Fire and Pile Burning

Record fire severity on the Data Entry worksheet (see appendix C-3 in volume II) in the three rows that list fire severity (light, moderate, and severe). Determine the fire severity of the monitor-ing point and record a “1” (present) in the cell for that point.

Record a “0” in each of the other two rows.

Broadcast Burning

Broadcast burns across the activity area will likely create a mosaic of site conditions. Low-severity burns will likely not alter

23Volume I Rapid Assessment soil processes for an extensive period of time. Hotter burns may impact both the forest floor and mineral soil material. As burn severity increases, the soil disturbance class (1, 2, or 3) also increases.

Pile Burning

Piles of waste logging materials, brush, or tree tops (slash) that remain after harvest activities are often burned in the activity area or on landings and skid trails. It may be difficult to describe conditions under the burned area if substantial slash remains, but it is critical to assess the size (width multiplied by the length or diameter) of the area. Use ONSITE to help calculate the size of these features. Because monitoring points may land on different piles, assess them independently for severity. Assess burn piles similarly to broadcast burning severity.

Although wildfires are not considered as part of the FSDMP, record the impacts of fire on the soil resource during preactivity assessments to help determine if mitigation measures may be necessary.

Assigning a Disturbance Class

Soil disturbance classes are assigned using visual surface characteristics and they are recorded for each monitoring point in the survey. The disturbance classes are defined in the previous sections and table 2. Table 3 also provides a list of the visual attributes of each soil indicator and some potential management-induced changes. Data collected at each monitoring point pro-vide a representative sample of the activity area. The percentage of the activity area in each soil disturbance class is automatically calculated in the electronic worksheets and the results are displayed on the Results worksheet (see appendix C-4 in volume II). Reliability is estimated from the variance among estimated point proportions of each condition class. At some points, there may be a variety of soil disturbances. The observer must evaluate these overlapping indicators so that the soil disturbance class best represents the point.

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Literature Cited

Fleming, R.L.; Powers, R.F.; Foster, N.W. et al. 2006. Effects of organic matter removal, soil compaction, and vegetation control on 5-year seedling performance: a regional comparison of Long-Term Soil Productivity sites. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 36: 5429–5450.

Gomez, A.; Powers, R.F.; Singer, M.J. et al. 2002 Soil compac-tion effects on growth of young ponderosa pine following litter removal in California’s Sierra Nevada. Soil Science Society of America Journal. 66: 1334–1343.

McNab, W.H.; Cleland, D.T.; Freeouf, J.A. et al., comps. 2007.

Description of ecological subregions: sections of the conterminous United States [CD-ROM]. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-76B. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 80 p.

Napper, C.; Howes, S.; Page-Dumroese, D. et al. [N.d.]. Soil disturbance field guide. Manuscript in preparation. 0820 1815- SDTDC. San Dimas, CA: San Dimas Technology Center.

Page-Dumroese, D.; Jurgensen, M.; Elliot, W. et al. 2000. Soil quality standards and guidelines for forest sustainability in northwestern North America. Forest Ecology and Management.

138: 445–462.

Page-Dumroese, D.S.; Jurgensen, M.F.; Tiarks, A.E. et al. 2006.

Soil physical property changes at North American Long-Term Soil Productivity study sites: 1 and 5 years after compaction.

Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 36: 551–564.

Powers, R.F.; Tiarks, A.E.; Boyle, J.R. 1998. Assessing soil quality: practical standards for sustainable forest productivity in the United States. In: Adams, M.B.; Ramakrishna, K.; Davidson, E., eds. The contribution of soil science to the development and implementation of criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management. SSSA Spec. Publ. 53. Madison, WI: Soil Science Society of America: 53–80.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS). 1993. Soil survey manual. Rev. Agricultural handbook 18. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Survey Staff. 437 p.

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Appendix A. Safety of Hazard Analysis

1. WoRk PRojeCT/ ACTiviTy

2. LoCATion

Soil Quality Monitoring

4. nAMe oF AnALyST

5. joB TiTLe

8. HAzARdS 9. ABATeMenT ACTionS Engineering Controls • Substitution •

Administrative Controls • PPE

Communication breakdown

Never travel or work alone in isolated areas without preparing and discussing a detailed JHA that includes emergency evacuation procedures and a communication plan.

Talk to each other. Let other crew members know when you see a hazard. Avoid working near known hazard trees. Yell “ROCK!” if you see one start to roll down the hill. Always know the whereabouts of fellow crew members. Review emergency evacuation procedures (see below).

Carry a radio and spare batteries. Ensure that local frequencies and repeaters are programmed in radios. Contact local districts or resource areas prior to field work to determine appropriate communication protocols.

If going to a remote area alone, let someone know specifically where you will be; be sure someone knows you have returned.

overdue, no contact, missing

File itinerary of planned routes of travel, destination, ETD/ETA, employee names, emergency phone numbers/communication system and contact points, and checkin/checkout system.

Falling down, twisted ankles and knees, poor footing, and general slips, trips, and falls

Always watch your footing. Slow down and use extra caution around logs, rocks, and animal holes.

Steep slopes (>20%) can be hazardous under wet or dry conditions. Wear laced boots with nonskid, Vibram®-type soles for ankle support and traction.

Stretch before hiking.

26Volume I Rapid Assessment

Crossing creeks, seeps, bogs, wet logs, wet rocks, wet vegetation slopes, and wet ash slopes

Watch where you walk in streams, expect rocks to be slippery, and do not cross if you feel…