Analysis of tree damage caused by rockfall at forest road construction works

Abstract

Forest roads provide access for people to study, enjoy or contemplate natural ecosystems. Therefore, roads are one of the most important tools needed in forestry. Forest roads are built by excavation of soil and rock. Rockfall occurs during construction works, caused by excavated rock pieces on embankment slopes and by blasting of block rock masses. This study analyzes rockfall damage to trees during forest road construction. Injuries, branches brokenness, trunk wounds and collapse were defined as tree damages because of rockfall during road construction. These damages have been analyzed by site measurements and statistical analysis. In the study area it has been determined that 90.48% of damaged trees are in the first 10 m after the beginning of the embankment slope, and the rest of the trees are positioned between 11 m and 23 m away from the beginning of the embankment slope. The average injury area of the damaged trees was calculated as 1,081 cm2 for the first 10 mfrom the embankment slope, and an injury area of 1,463 cm2 was calculated for between 11 m and 23 m on the embankment slope. This is a very important result in terms of forest protection. Wooden obstruction or synthetic holders should be used as preventative measures in the first 10 m of the embankment slope of the road to block rockfall or slow it down.