Impacts of logging on below-ground carbon stocks are less well understood than those on above-ground carbon stocks. Consequently, there is a sizeable knowledge gap regarding fine root recovery and their contribution to below-ground carbon stocks. The objective of this study was to quantify whether short-term recovery of fine root carbon stock occurred after harvesting operations. Three blocks each consisting of a single skid trail and an undisturbed old-growth forest (control) were utilized. Skid trails were heavily compacted by 12 tractor passes during the dry season. After nearly 3 years, 60 samples of fine root biomass (FRB) were collected, along with 60 additional soil samples for chemical analysis. Results showed that despite similar soil chemical properties between skid trails and controls, there was no apparent short-term recovery of FRB. Indeed, there was a 57.1% difference between fine root carbon stocking in skid trails at 1.0 Mg ha-1 compared to the undisturbed controls with 1.8 Mg ha-1. These results indicate that the recovery of FRB and C stocks takes at least several years; as such, skid trails should be planned to minimize disturbance to the forest floor, which will help reduce impacts on below-ground carbon pools. More research is needed to ascertain when fine roots do recover, so that future assessments of below-ground carbon stocks can be accomplished with greater confidence.
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DeArmond D, Freitas S, Lima AJN, Higuchi N (2025). Short-term recovery of fine root carbon stock is inhibited by skid trails in a humid tropical forest. iForest 18: 344-349. - doi: 10.3832/ifor4756-018
Paper history
Received: Nov 07, 2024
Accepted: May 26, 2025
First online: Nov 30, 2025
Publication Date: Dec 31, 2025
Publication Time: 6.27 months
© SISEF - The Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology 2025
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