Reduced soil compaction
Impact
Often heavy machinery, such as dozers and tractors, are used to remove vegetation and carry out other farm management activities such as soil tillage, crop harvest, fertiliser application, etc. The use of machinery may result in soil compaction - subsoil hardpan formation and/or hard-setting soil surface. Soil compaction can also result from trampling of grazing animals. Soil compaction can be reversed to some extent by ploughing and deep ripping. Minimising soil compaction can be achieved by minimum tillage techniques and maintaining suitable stocking rates.
Suggested indicator: Soil structure+
Reduced soil compaction may be associated with:
| Potential associated impacts | Suggested indicators+ |
Increased soil infiltration and permeability increasing deep drainage |
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| Improved plant root penetration and plant available water |
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Reduced potential for erosion |
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+ Descriptions of indicators (PDF, 76K)* provides a brief description of each indicator including techniques and purpose.
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Last updated 7 September 2010
