TY - JOUR
T1 - Persistence of soil structural modifications along a historic wagon trail
AU - Sharratt, B.
AU - Voorhees, W.
AU - McIntosh, G.
AU - Lemme, G.
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - Wagon wheel ruts are still visible along pioneer trails in the USA, which suggests that vehicular traffic can modify soil properties for a century. We compared physical properties of a Barnes loam (fine-loamy, mixed Udic Haploboroll) across three transects of the 1864 to 1871 Wadsworth Trail. Compaction was evident within wheel ruts of the trail, as penetration resistance and bulk density were 10% greater and water infiltration and air permeability were 50% lower within the wheel ruts than outside the trail. Erosion was also apparent within the wheel ruts, as the greater density could not fully account for the thinner A horizon (60 mm). Our investigation suggests that degradation of soil properties caused by compaction or erosion from wagon wheel or animal traffic may persist for >100 yr. This information underscores the importance that agricultural practices must minimize soil loss or compaction.
AB - Wagon wheel ruts are still visible along pioneer trails in the USA, which suggests that vehicular traffic can modify soil properties for a century. We compared physical properties of a Barnes loam (fine-loamy, mixed Udic Haploboroll) across three transects of the 1864 to 1871 Wadsworth Trail. Compaction was evident within wheel ruts of the trail, as penetration resistance and bulk density were 10% greater and water infiltration and air permeability were 50% lower within the wheel ruts than outside the trail. Erosion was also apparent within the wheel ruts, as the greater density could not fully account for the thinner A horizon (60 mm). Our investigation suggests that degradation of soil properties caused by compaction or erosion from wagon wheel or animal traffic may persist for >100 yr. This information underscores the importance that agricultural practices must minimize soil loss or compaction.
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U2 - 10.2136/sssaj1998.03615995006200030033x
DO - 10.2136/sssaj1998.03615995006200030033x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0032078507
SN - 0361-5995
VL - 62
SP - 774
EP - 777
JO - Soil Science Society of America Journal
JF - Soil Science Society of America Journal
IS - 3
ER -