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The Forestry Commission has produced an updated note on the environmental effects of root and stump harvesting.
The article is titled “Environmental effects of stump and root harvesting”, and was compiled by Forestry Commission researchers Andy Moffat, Tom Nisbet and Bruce Nicoll (Research Note FCRN009, September 2011). Much discussion exists around the use of stumps and roots for biomass. This paper deals with many of these issues.
The physical effects of stump and root removal on the soil are discussed. This includes soil mixing and removal, soil structure and hydrology, and ground damage and soil erosion. The chemical effects on the soil, site carbon capital, effects on biodiversity, effects on tree health, and the effects on the historic environment are presented in some detail.
A useful table is supplied which describes the various factors that can be affected (soil physical disturbance, nutrient capital, soil acidification, site carbon capital, biodiversity and historic environment). It includes impacts and consequences, and a risk factor for damage to soils when harvesting stumps on different sites. Source: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/FCRN009.pdf/$file/FCRN009.pdf