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Using a Geographical Information System to map and determine the extent of soil disturbance resulting from a logging operation
Authors: R. K. Brownlie, C. J. TerleskPublication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1995, Issue N.Z.J.For. 40(2) 1995, pp 23-26, Aug 1995
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: The logging extraction tracks and landings of a recently clearfelled forest compartment were mapped from aerial photographs, into a (GIS) Geographical Information System, using an analytical stereoplotter.
The GIS spatial data, combined with field measurements of track-width, were used to calculate lineal and spatial statistics of the site disturbance and to generate a digital terrain model of the compartment. The model was used to determine the distribution of extraction tracks in various slope classes and to provide a visual representation of their layout.
In this application GIS was used to map site disturbance 'after the event'. The advantages of using GIS-derived information in the harvest planning phase, to improve efficiency and to minimise disturbance during logging operations, are discussed.