Above Ground and Below Ground Biomass Response to Military Trafficking.

Multiple anthropogenic activities take place on Army training lands concurrently, including, but not limited to, military training, forestry operations, agricultural out leasing, and various recreational activities. Inevitably, this use leads to natural resource disturbance  For example, the use of military vehicles, during training, results in soil disturbance and vegetation loss, with subsequent increases in soil erosion rates, sedimentation in streams, habitat degradation, and numerous other secondary and tertiary effects. Similarly, forestry activities such as timber harvest and prescribed burns can result in soil disturbance and/or loss of vegetation and similar, subsequent impacts to varying degrees.  The overall objective of this research is to quantify and develop an understanding of the interactions between training impacts and land management practices on above and below ground biomass.  Before and after trafficking, the test area will be fully characterized concentrating on soil strength measurements (drop cone, Clegg Impact Hammer, Cone Penetrometer, and shear strength). These will be correlated to vegetation indicators such as above and below ground biomass, and root length and diameter.