Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mulching for Reducing Soil Erosion in Cut Slope and Fill Slope of Forest Roads in Hyrcanian Forests

Mulching significantly reduces soil erosion on forest roads, particularly on steep cut and fill slopes, with wood chips being the most effective material. The study found that on both slope types, wood chip cover (WCH) minimized runoff volume and sediment yield compared to sawdust or rice straw covers, as well as bare soil. Erosion decreased with road age but remained higher on steeper gradients (40–45% vs. 20–25%). These findings highlight mulching as a critical erosion control strategy in the Hyrcanian Forests, especially for newly constructed roads with high erosion potential.

Solgi, A., Naghdi, R., Zenner, E. K., Hemmati, V., Behjou, F. K., & Masumian, A. (2021). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Mulching for Reducing Soil Erosion in Cut Slope and Fill Slope of Forest Roads in Hyrcanian Forests. Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering, 42(2), 259–268. https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2021.756