Land clearing techniques which are often aimed at the removal of trees, stumps, bushes etc. is majorly done in order to increase size of area put under cultivation. Certain considerations such the area of land to be cleared, cost, type of vegetation to be cleared etc. before the adoption of any technique.
A suitable technique e.g. cut and grind, push over, pulling etc. is chosen and adopted for effective land clearing.
Factors Determining the Choice of a Land Clearing Technique; Before adopting any technique to clear land, certain considerations or factors need to be made. These include:
1. The size of area to be cleared: the area or space to be cleared determines the technique to be adopted, if it is cost effective, timely or if the technique to be adopted is feasible.
2. The soil composition as well as the type and amount of vegetation whether trees, bushes, shrubs or grasses determine the type of technique or equipment to be used.
3. Land use: what the cleared land will be used for, type of crops to be planted.
Read Also: Definition of Water and Wind Erosion
Land Clearing Techniques
1. Cut and grind: this is suitable for areas with small amount of trees. Bush and weeds are first cleared using tools like brush mower or root plough, after large machines take down trees and piles them up to be taken for processing.
Tree stumps can be grinded and used to mulch the soil so they can decompose over time and improve soil fertility.
2. Pushover: large trees are pushed over leaving the roots intact. Bulldozers are mostly used for this practice.
3. Pulling: anchor chains are attached to the trees and tractors are used to pull it
4. Pile and burn: land is cleared, piled and burnt. This is an age old tradition.
Advantages of Bush Clearing
1. Cleared vegetation can be used as mulch materials
2. Decomposed vegetation can add nutrient to the soil
3. Income generation from harvested timber
4. Timber harvested can serve as raw material for making paper, furniture and agricultural purposes e.g. building ranches.
Read Also: Reclamation and Management of Alkaline and Saline Soils
Disadvantages of Land Clearing
1. Rate of tree growth is slower than rate of deforestation
2. Destruction of habitat
3. Erosion
4. Where bulldozers are used, topsoil can be destroyed and value of wood may decrease.
5. Bush burning is risky and pollutes the environment.
In conclusion, Land clearing technique to be used has to be carefully considered to ensure that timely, feasible and cost effective methods of land clearing are adopted.
The choice of a land clearing technique e.g. pulling, push over, cut and grind etc. to be adopted is influenced by the land size or area to be cleared, the cost, soil composition, vegetation to be cleared whether trees, shrubs, grasses etc. This ensures effective, sustainable and timely land clearing.
Read Also: Unlocking the Potential of Environmental Education
