Acta Scientiarum Polonorum
Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria

The aim of the study was enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the method developed by Dyrness [1965] for the visual assessment of soil damage caused by wood extraction. The results achieved with the computer-aided and traditional version of the method were compared and used as a basis of the optimal wood extraction method. The computer processing of digital photographs involved the use of CorelDRAW 11, AutoCAD R14 and Solid Edge V17 computer programmes. The proposed procedure providing support to the visual assessment of soil damage produces more reliable results. According to the performed assessment, the double horse skidding, resulting in the smallest disturbance area and causing the smallest soil compaction, proved to be most environment-friendly wood extraction method.