Skid trail use influences soil carbon flux and nutrient pools in a temperate hardwood forest

Concentrations of soil C, N, and cations were 16-52% lower on frequently re-used primary skid trails and 13-30% lower on tertiary skid trails than adjacent forest controls, but 0-20 cm pool sizes were similar amongst treatments. All treatments, except for primary skid trails, expressed substantial inter-correlated declines in soil C, N, and cations (−7% to −40%) by October that were also correlated to FCO2 rates (r2 = 0.10, p < 0.05), suggesting losses were related to enhanced decomposition. Overall, both cut forest and tertiary trails may be areas of substantial short-term C loss, with greater potential net losses on denuded trails. Conversely, primary skid trails were likely small but persistent atmospheric C sources due to chronically inhibited regrowth, yet paradoxically provided greater SOC retention than tertiary trails and controls. Although better long-term measurements of C and nutrient flux are needed, skid trails comprise discrete management units that may respond predictably to use. Inclusion of these as components in models of forest biogeochemistry may improve the accuracy of flux predictions.