Impact of animal logging on soil physical properties in mule trail in Hyrcanian forests

The paper investigates the effects of mule logging, including traffic volume and slope, on topsoil physical properties. A downhill mule trail is studied in the Hyrcanian forests of northern Iran. Treatment plots include combinations of primary, secondary and tertiary mule trails over gentle and steep terrain. The results showed that significant differences bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity and void ratio between the mule trail segments and the undisturbed area. Also significant differences are found between gentle and steep slopes.

Research highlights
► Studying Hyrcanian forest mule trails shows that significant differences bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity and void ratios exits between primary, secondary and tertiary mule trails over gentle and steep terrain compared undisturbed areas.
► Effect of slope on soil disturbance.
► Significant differences of soil properties regarding traffic levels.