Long-Term Impact Evaluation of Ground-Base Skidding on Residual Damaged Trees in the Hyrcanian Forest, Iran

A study evaluating the long-term impact of ground-based skidding on residual damaged trees in Iran's Hyrcanian Forest found that, after 20 years, wounds on tree stems showed significant changes depending on traffic intensity along abandoned skid trails. The research, which inventoried 18.83% of trees alongside these trails, revealed that while some healing occurred, it is still too early to determine the full timeline for wound occlusion and complete recovery from logging damage. The study examined key characteristics such as wound size, location, severity, height, number of wounds per stem, and distance from skid trail centerlines, providing critical insights into forest resilience post-logging operations.

Ezzati, S., & Najafi, A. (2010). Long-Term Impact Evaluation of Ground-Base Skidding on Residual Damaged Trees in the Hyrcanian Forest, Iran. International Journal of Forestry Research, 2010, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/183735