Access development in South African mountainous plantations—problems, trends, research

The forest road network in South Africa's plantations was rapidly developed to provide access for planting, fire protection and later logging. The result today is a fairly high road density of rather low standard roads! The major current problems accumulating in environmental damages as well as excessive transport costs are described. Specifically, the Forestry Branch of the Department of Environment Affairs has become, in recent years, the trendsetter in rebuilding low cost roads and applying proper road network planning. Five actual research projects are introduced, results briefly discussed and cost figures presented.