Changes in the concentration of CO<sub>2</sub> in forest soils resulting from the traffic of logging machines

The aim ofthe study was tofind out whether and how the forest soil compaction resulting from the trafficof forest logging machines results inthe increased soil air concentration ofCO2, occurring over alonger period oftime and indifferent seasons ofthe year. Changes inthe soil air CO2 concentrations were monitored intwo periods: inwinter (cold period) and insummer (warm period). CO2 concentrations were measured incompacted and non-compacted soil using acertified measurement. Inaddition tothe soil concentration ofCO2, air temperature, soil temperature and soil moisture content were measured. The research was conducted inthe Czech Republic. The obtained data was subjected tostatistical analyses (Student's t-test; correlation analysis). The results ofthe study confirm the long-term influence ofsoil compaction bythe traffic offorest machinery onthe CO2 concentration insoil inboth seasons (cold and warm). The concentration ofCO2 inthe air ofcompacted soil was always significantly higher inboth periods than the CO2 concentration inthe air ofnon-compacted soil (control). Thus, the negative influence ofsoil compaction was clearly demonstrated asaresult ofasingle pass offorestry machines over the soil surface.