Sustainable forest management practices frequently confront the tension between economic viability and conservation objectives,particularly where forests occur in environmentally sensitive zones.The use of skidders in...Sustainable forest management practices frequently confront the tension between economic viability and conservation objectives,particularly where forests occur in environmentally sensitive zones.The use of skidders in protected areas is an essential solution for enabling timber harvesting in environments where the establishment of new skidding trails is either prohibited or highly restricted.These machines are the most used timber extraction machines in Central and Eastern Europe,and cable/adapted skidders are used to increase productivity and to reduce labor.This study compared the work cycles,productivity and costs of four types of skidders working in similar coniferous stands:a dedicated cable skidder,a dedicated cable-grapple skidder,a dedicated grapple skidder and an adapted skidder.The comparison of delay-free work cycles of the four skidders showed the largest share is occupied by travel loaded.The cable-grapple skidder had the highest average speed of 5.6 km h^(-1),followed by the grapple skidder at 3.97 km h^(-1),the cable skidder at 3.79 km h^(-1),and the adapted skidder with an average speed of 3.31 km h^(-1).The average delay-free productivity of the study skidders is highest for the adapted skidder,followed by the grapple skidder with a slightly lower rate,the cable-grapple skidder,and the cable skidder.In conclusion,the average payload of the grapple skidder and the cable grapple skidder is less than the maximum payload of the machine.This is due to the narrow skidding roads and because these skidders are not suitable for the specific site-selective felling with marked single and small groups of trees.The dedicated cable skidders and the adapted cable skidder are very close in productivity.The average productivity of dedicated cable skidders was 17.7 m^(3) h^(-1),while the productivity of the adapted skidder is 14.5 m^(3) h^(-1).Considering this,adapted skidders could be a good solution for improving economic productivity in sensitive forests.展开更多
Waste wood was studied in an economic enterprise by logging, function, tree species and log size in four Caspian hardwood sites. Dam- aged logs were recorded with additional information obtained for the location, dime...Waste wood was studied in an economic enterprise by logging, function, tree species and log size in four Caspian hardwood sites. Dam- aged logs were recorded with additional information obtained for the location, dimensions and type of damage. The data were analyzed statis- tically to determine significant differences of damage during logging process. The results indicated that animal harvesting systems cause more volume （40.5% of log volume） and value loss （89.5 $.m^-3） to logs than mechanized harvesting systems （13.9% and 6.0 $.m^-3）, also bucking resulted in significantly more volume （9.9% of log volume） and value loss （5.5 $.m-3） when compared to skidding （0.2% of log volume and 0.2 $.m^-3）, decking （0.4% of log volume and 0.2 $.m^-3） and loading （0.2% of log＇s volume and 0.3 $.m^-3） operations. Study showed that the processes of skidding, decking and loading of logs have very little impact on dam- age levels. Volume and value losses of damaged logs are not sensitive to tree species and log size. The information from the field study is impor- tant in creating new guidelines or training to help minimize hardwood log damage during the timber harvesting process.展开更多
This article addresses where ruts are likely to occur during in-field forest operations. This was done by inspecting high-resolution surface images across New Brunswick (NB) and elsewhere to mark where ruts have (1) a...This article addresses where ruts are likely to occur during in-field forest operations. This was done by inspecting high-resolution surface images across New Brunswick (NB) and elsewhere to mark where ruts have (1) and have not (0) occurred in harvested cutblocks. This marking revealed 1) where off-road operations were likely done on moist to wet and unfrozen soils;and 2) whether the ruts so incurred were water-logged at the time of imaging. Through geospatial processing of the NB-wide digital elevation model (DEM, available at 1 m resolution), the following attributes were added to each of the marked rut and no-rut locations: 1) the cartographic depth-to-water (DTW) as referenced to the nearest flow channels with >1 and >4 ha upslope flow accumulation areas (FA);2) the topographic position index (TPI) in reference to the mean annulus elevation 50 m away from each DEM cell;3) mean slope and curvatures within each cell-surrounding 10-m circle;4) the terrain wetness index (TWI);5) soil association type according to the NB forest soil map, adjusted for NB’s most recent hydrographic network delineations for waterbodies and wetlands. Subjecting these data to logistic regression analysis revealed that image-located off-road rutting occurred at about 90% probability in water-accumulating zones where TPI is <0 m and DTW is <1 m. Using slope, curvature, TWI, and soil type as additional rut occurrence predictors did not affect this zonation significantly.展开更多
We studied the impact of stand density and forest floor humus removal on regeneration ofPinus densiflora in a mixed co- nifer and broad-leaved forest on the Daimonji-Yama Mountain, Kyoto, Japan. Three levels of stand ...We studied the impact of stand density and forest floor humus removal on regeneration ofPinus densiflora in a mixed co- nifer and broad-leaved forest on the Daimonji-Yama Mountain, Kyoto, Japan. Three levels of stand density were set, i.e., a clear-cut site, a heavily thinned site and a lightly thinned site. In each density treatment, comparisons were carried out between humus removal （A0-free） and humus intact （A0-intact） subplots. We counted the emergence of sown pine seeds and measured survival and growth of pine seedlings over the next four years. In addition, light conditions and the recovery of understory were monitored. Results show that thinning intensity and humus removal promoted the establishment and growth of seedlings. One exception, however, was that seedling growth was minimal in the heavily thinned A0-intact subplots. This was due to a strong response of understory vegetation growth on the treatment combination, which hindered the pine seedling growth. Furthermore, we found that the canopy openness measured at 1.3-m height remained at least 35% for the heavily thinned site in 2008. The results suggest that the removal of the A0 layer after heavy thinning is the most effective and labor-saving operation for P. densifiora regeneration.展开更多
Illegal logging is a pervasive problem of major international concern that causes many negative social, economical and environmental consequences. EUTR is a tool adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2013 to stop ...Illegal logging is a pervasive problem of major international concern that causes many negative social, economical and environmental consequences. EUTR is a tool adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2013 to stop the trade of timber illegally logged within the EU market. The implementation in Italy is still in progress and varies among regions. This study considers the respondents’ opinions on different EUTR characteristics, implementation processes and compliance activities. Taking Italy as an example, the questionnaire was delivered to relevant Italian foresters and timber operators in the forest-timber system. Two hypotheses are under verification: </span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">1</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">) if Italian forest-wood-timber sector integrated EUTR into its activity and </span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">2</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">) if the Italian Due Diligence system is a valid model to other countries. The questionnaire has been submitted to the wood industry stakeholders. It has been organized into six sections to collect information about the professional characteristics of respondents, their experiences on EUTR, the opinion about EUTR and FLEGT, the support received on EUTR implementation, the opinion about the checks system, and the role of EUTR in marketing timber products. Questionnaire data have been elaborated in different ways. Conclusion underlines the EUTR Italian system criticalities and some suggestions for a more effective use of EUTR in the wood market. The picture that emerges from the results collected is that the EUTR, although proposed for morally and ethically valid purposes, doesn’t have unanimous effectiveness. In particular, EUTR can generate a distortion of the market, new expenditures for importers. Various operators applaud the role of certification schemes for sustainable forest management, which indirectly makes it possible to prevent the aforementioned problem. The Italian EUTR system is working only for satisfying Regulation 995/2010 targets. This must be considered as the starting point;however, three innovative topics could be developed in the future: digitalization and computerization of EUTR certification, integration of EUTR certification with forest certifications schemes and other quality certifications, and use of EUTR in the marketing initiatives.展开更多
基金supported by the inter-institutional agreement between the University of Forestry (Bulgaria)the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria (Italy)by the Ph.D. course “Agricultural, Food and Forestry Science” of the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria (Italy)—XXXIX cycle。
文摘Sustainable forest management practices frequently confront the tension between economic viability and conservation objectives,particularly where forests occur in environmentally sensitive zones.The use of skidders in protected areas is an essential solution for enabling timber harvesting in environments where the establishment of new skidding trails is either prohibited or highly restricted.These machines are the most used timber extraction machines in Central and Eastern Europe,and cable/adapted skidders are used to increase productivity and to reduce labor.This study compared the work cycles,productivity and costs of four types of skidders working in similar coniferous stands:a dedicated cable skidder,a dedicated cable-grapple skidder,a dedicated grapple skidder and an adapted skidder.The comparison of delay-free work cycles of the four skidders showed the largest share is occupied by travel loaded.The cable-grapple skidder had the highest average speed of 5.6 km h^(-1),followed by the grapple skidder at 3.97 km h^(-1),the cable skidder at 3.79 km h^(-1),and the adapted skidder with an average speed of 3.31 km h^(-1).The average delay-free productivity of the study skidders is highest for the adapted skidder,followed by the grapple skidder with a slightly lower rate,the cable-grapple skidder,and the cable skidder.In conclusion,the average payload of the grapple skidder and the cable grapple skidder is less than the maximum payload of the machine.This is due to the narrow skidding roads and because these skidders are not suitable for the specific site-selective felling with marked single and small groups of trees.The dedicated cable skidders and the adapted cable skidder are very close in productivity.The average productivity of dedicated cable skidders was 17.7 m^(3) h^(-1),while the productivity of the adapted skidder is 14.5 m^(3) h^(-1).Considering this,adapted skidders could be a good solution for improving economic productivity in sensitive forests.
文摘Waste wood was studied in an economic enterprise by logging, function, tree species and log size in four Caspian hardwood sites. Dam- aged logs were recorded with additional information obtained for the location, dimensions and type of damage. The data were analyzed statis- tically to determine significant differences of damage during logging process. The results indicated that animal harvesting systems cause more volume （40.5% of log volume） and value loss （89.5 $.m^-3） to logs than mechanized harvesting systems （13.9% and 6.0 $.m^-3）, also bucking resulted in significantly more volume （9.9% of log volume） and value loss （5.5 $.m-3） when compared to skidding （0.2% of log volume and 0.2 $.m^-3）, decking （0.4% of log volume and 0.2 $.m^-3） and loading （0.2% of log＇s volume and 0.3 $.m^-3） operations. Study showed that the processes of skidding, decking and loading of logs have very little impact on dam- age levels. Volume and value losses of damaged logs are not sensitive to tree species and log size. The information from the field study is impor- tant in creating new guidelines or training to help minimize hardwood log damage during the timber harvesting process.
文摘This article addresses where ruts are likely to occur during in-field forest operations. This was done by inspecting high-resolution surface images across New Brunswick (NB) and elsewhere to mark where ruts have (1) and have not (0) occurred in harvested cutblocks. This marking revealed 1) where off-road operations were likely done on moist to wet and unfrozen soils;and 2) whether the ruts so incurred were water-logged at the time of imaging. Through geospatial processing of the NB-wide digital elevation model (DEM, available at 1 m resolution), the following attributes were added to each of the marked rut and no-rut locations: 1) the cartographic depth-to-water (DTW) as referenced to the nearest flow channels with >1 and >4 ha upslope flow accumulation areas (FA);2) the topographic position index (TPI) in reference to the mean annulus elevation 50 m away from each DEM cell;3) mean slope and curvatures within each cell-surrounding 10-m circle;4) the terrain wetness index (TWI);5) soil association type according to the NB forest soil map, adjusted for NB’s most recent hydrographic network delineations for waterbodies and wetlands. Subjecting these data to logistic regression analysis revealed that image-located off-road rutting occurred at about 90% probability in water-accumulating zones where TPI is <0 m and DTW is <1 m. Using slope, curvature, TWI, and soil type as additional rut occurrence predictors did not affect this zonation significantly.
基金supported by a Grant-in-Aid from the Ministry of Education,Science and Culture of Japan(No.17510025)
文摘We studied the impact of stand density and forest floor humus removal on regeneration ofPinus densiflora in a mixed co- nifer and broad-leaved forest on the Daimonji-Yama Mountain, Kyoto, Japan. Three levels of stand density were set, i.e., a clear-cut site, a heavily thinned site and a lightly thinned site. In each density treatment, comparisons were carried out between humus removal （A0-free） and humus intact （A0-intact） subplots. We counted the emergence of sown pine seeds and measured survival and growth of pine seedlings over the next four years. In addition, light conditions and the recovery of understory were monitored. Results show that thinning intensity and humus removal promoted the establishment and growth of seedlings. One exception, however, was that seedling growth was minimal in the heavily thinned A0-intact subplots. This was due to a strong response of understory vegetation growth on the treatment combination, which hindered the pine seedling growth. Furthermore, we found that the canopy openness measured at 1.3-m height remained at least 35% for the heavily thinned site in 2008. The results suggest that the removal of the A0 layer after heavy thinning is the most effective and labor-saving operation for P. densifiora regeneration.
文摘Illegal logging is a pervasive problem of major international concern that causes many negative social, economical and environmental consequences. EUTR is a tool adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2013 to stop the trade of timber illegally logged within the EU market. The implementation in Italy is still in progress and varies among regions. This study considers the respondents’ opinions on different EUTR characteristics, implementation processes and compliance activities. Taking Italy as an example, the questionnaire was delivered to relevant Italian foresters and timber operators in the forest-timber system. Two hypotheses are under verification: </span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">1</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">) if Italian forest-wood-timber sector integrated EUTR into its activity and </span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">2</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:"">) if the Italian Due Diligence system is a valid model to other countries. The questionnaire has been submitted to the wood industry stakeholders. It has been organized into six sections to collect information about the professional characteristics of respondents, their experiences on EUTR, the opinion about EUTR and FLEGT, the support received on EUTR implementation, the opinion about the checks system, and the role of EUTR in marketing timber products. Questionnaire data have been elaborated in different ways. Conclusion underlines the EUTR Italian system criticalities and some suggestions for a more effective use of EUTR in the wood market. The picture that emerges from the results collected is that the EUTR, although proposed for morally and ethically valid purposes, doesn’t have unanimous effectiveness. In particular, EUTR can generate a distortion of the market, new expenditures for importers. Various operators applaud the role of certification schemes for sustainable forest management, which indirectly makes it possible to prevent the aforementioned problem. The Italian EUTR system is working only for satisfying Regulation 995/2010 targets. This must be considered as the starting point;however, three innovative topics could be developed in the future: digitalization and computerization of EUTR certification, integration of EUTR certification with forest certifications schemes and other quality certifications, and use of EUTR in the marketing initiatives.
