Maintenance of forest road network by natural forest management in Tokyo University Forest in Hokkaido

Abstract

Forest road network in the Tokyo University Forest in Hokkaido plays an important role in selling low price trees, and has a key role in intensive forest management. Forest road network also contributes to water conservation and biodiversity. Experience shows that when a road is constructed along the contour line, the road surface of filled bank becomes lower than the original level regardless of the road standard. This happens because the filled bank is soft so that shrinkage occurs caused by repeated log transportation and by rainwater erosion affecting lower surfaces. Periodical maintenance is important. On the other hand, the maintenance of all-season forest roads for heavy truck transport is expensive as can be seen in Slovenia. In conditions of public free and unlimited access to forests, the standard of forest road maintenance is higher. If we consider that unlimited access to forests means higher personal standard and higher quality of modern life, then the higher cost of wood extraction is not the most important condition of multi-purpose and natural forest management.