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Evaluation of erosion control techniques on forest roads

Formally Refereed

Abstract

The cutslope and fillslope on a newly constructed forest road on the Talladega National Forest near Heflin, AL were treated with three erosion control techniques: wood excelsior erosion mat, native grass species, and exotic grass species. Bare soil plots were used as the experimental controls. Total sediment yield was measured during the period 21 September 1995 to 18 March 1996. A randomized complete block design was used to evaluate treatment methods on the basis of sediment yield and runoff volume. No significant difference in sediment yield was found from the fillslope among the treatments. However, on the cutslope, significant differences were detected among all treatments. The erosion mat treatment was most effective in mitigating erosion losses, with a 98 percent reduction in cutslope sediment yield and 88 percent reduction in fillslope sediment yield.

Citation

Grace, Johnny M., III; Rummer, Bob; Stokes, Bryce J.; Wilhoit, J. 1998. Evaluation of erosion control techniques on forest roads. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. 4(2): 383-391.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/65