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A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Operations and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2023) | Viewed by 23297

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Prof. Dr. Kalle Kärhä

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School of Forest Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
Interests: forest operations; logistics; industrial roundwood; energy wood; greenhouse gas emissions; carbon footprint; energy efficiency; sustainability; digitalization
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Our global megatrends and operational challenges drive us to operate more efficiently and sustainably. There are currently several comprehensive ongoing research, development and innovation (RDI) studies which introduce the possibilities of improving the cost, energy-efficiency and quality in wood harvesting operations, long-distance transport and forest road planning. For instance, research scientists have upgraded the trafficability forecasts of forest stands by applying remote sensing, weather data and machine learning, or they have utilized multi-sensor technology and deep-learning algorithms to predict and monitor the condition of gravel forest roads for planning timber transports. Moreover, there are interesting studies on automation and teleoperation in forests and on the roads and mill yards of forest industries. Further, the latest topographic and geotechnical data have been utilized in the planning and construction of optimal networks of forest roads. In summary, digitalization with novel multi-source data and artificial intelligence gives us epic opportunities to overcome our challenges and design and build more workable, transparent and leaner processes in the value chain of forest industries.

This Special Issue of Forests seeks RDI papers which depict and report the recent advances in wood harvesting, timber logistics and forest road planning related to the issues of efficiency, biodiversity, costs, added economic value, quality, safety, and the well-being of personnel in daily work in wood supply processes and systems. In addition, I would like to encourage you to submit state-of-the-art papers and technical review papers which highlight the new major themes of our future RDI agenda in the value chain of forest industries to this Special Issue of Forests.

Prof. Dr. Kalle Kärhä
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

digitalization
multi-source data
sensors
artificial intelligence
automation
decision support systems (DSS)
wood supply chain
forest operations
long-distance transport
forest roads

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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25 pages, 6383 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Forest Road Models in Concession Areas in the Brazilian Amazon

by Pricila do Prado Morais, Eugenio Yatsuda Arima, Álvaro Nogueira de Souza, Reginaldo Sérgio Pereira, Fabiano Emmert, Rodrigo Montezano Cardoso, Eder Pereira Miguel and Eraldo Aparecido Trondoli Matricardi

Forests 2023, 14(7), 1388; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14071388 - 7 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1319

Abstract

Forest management aimed at the sustainable use of forest resources is an alternative land use to deforestation and can improve forest conservation in tropical regions. The construction of forest infrastructure, including forest roads, skid trails, and log-landings, is a key factor in minimizing the impacts and forest disturbances typically caused by selective logging activities in tropical forests. In this study, we used field and secondary data to assess the planned and implemented forest infrastructure in a study site of 5723 hectares under a forest concession in the Caxiuanã National Forest, located in the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. We tested alternative modeling approaches (the Tomlin and Spanning Tree models) by comparing them with the previously planned and implemented logging infrastructure by a concessionaire timber company (CEMAL Ltd.) in the study site. Our results indicate that the Tomlin model was the best approach for allocating forest roads in the study area, as it demonstrated the optimal balance between financial costs and forest disturbances for timber extraction. Additionally, Minimum Spanning Tree modeling achieved the most favorable results in delineating secondary roads and skid trails in the study site, despite slightly higher financial costs compared to the minimum acceptable costs. This alternative approach to modeling forest infrastructure can contribute to reducing forest disturbances and increasing the economic and ecological sustainability of forest management in tropical forests. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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26 pages, 7183 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Tree, Stand, and Site Attributes on Hardwood Product Yield: Insights into the Acadian Forests

by Caroline Bennemann, Eric R. Labelle and Jean-Martin Lussier

Forests 2023, 14(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020182 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1831

Abstract

Acadian forests of New Brunswick, Canada, are highly variable both in terms of species composition and quality. This is particularly accurate for hardwoods, for which value recovery is closely influenced by wood quality and a proper understanding of tree attributes. Therefore, based on several databases created between 2012 and 2021, the objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the stand-level distribution of species, size, form, and risk according to site factors and (2) determine the influence of different tree, stand, and site factors on the recovery of merchantable, sawlog, and veneer volumes. In total, 287,984 trees stemming from 9233 plots were analyzed for objective 1. For a subset of trees (743), tree, stand, and site attributes were also related to the product output of harvesting operations through a comprehensive inventory of standing trees and their associated products. Analyses were performed with linear and multinomial logistic regressions as well as factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD). Key results indicated that tree attributes and product recovery were significantly influenced by (1) environmental factors (soil, temperature, and precipitation), summarized by ecoregion in this study and (2) tree size and form. These findings suggest that the inclusion of site factors in supply planning could improve product recovery during forest operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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15 pages, 3422 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Benefits and Requirements of Mathematical Optimization in the Allocation of Wood to a Network of Forest Product Mills

by Maxime Auger, Luc LeBel and Edith Brotherton

Forests 2023, 14(1), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010140 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1678

Abstract

Supply planning is a challenge for the forest industry in the context of natural forests characterized by heterogeneity among raw materials. Several mathematical models have been proposed in the literature to support forest planning, though few have been used by companies. The complexity of the natural environment and the expertise required to use these models limit their application. Nevertheless, these tools can significantly improve profitability. Three main elements were analyzed to assess benefits fostered by computer-optimized planning: (i) assessing the potential of implementing mathematical optimization in companies, particularly by pinpointing the additional resources necessary; (ii) determining the benefits of mathematical optimization to support planning decisions in an industrial context; and (iii) analyzing the impact of variation in information precision. LogiLab, an optimization software was used to find the optimal allocation of raw materials to an industrial network of five mills. The plan produced using optimization was compared to the plan generated by company personnel. The optimized plan generated a nearly 20% greater net profit than the current planning method. This difference was in part due to the more efficient allocation of raw materials to mills. It also highlighted numerous benefits, including a 50% reduction in the time required to produce plans. Furthermore, if attributed volume can be distributed among sawmills, it would be possible to save CAD 3.21/m³ using optimized plans, greatly exceeding initial costs related to system implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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18 pages, 4735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gradeability of a Forwarder Based on Traction Performance

by Zoran Bumber, Andreja Đuka, Zdravko Pandur and Tomislav Poršinsky

Forests 2023, 14(1), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14010103 - 5 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2777

Abstract

Based on the knowledge of the dimensional and mass features of a forwarder, a model was developed to assess its mobility during timber forwarding uphill in a safe and eco-efficient way. The model is based on knowledge of the position of the forwarder’s centre of gravity, its declared payload and the length of the loaded timber, as well as the gradeability for uphill timber forwarding based on the traction characteristics of the vehicle. The model connects two research approaches, (1) vehicle–terrain approach (distribution of axle loads depending on the longitudinal terrain slope) and (2) wheel–soil approach (estimation of the traction characteristics of the forwarder based on the wheel numeric), concerning previous research: (i) underload on the front axle of the vehicle, (ii) overload on the rear axle of the vehicle, (iii) permissible tire load, (iv) minimal soil bearing capacity, (v) wheel slip. Simulation modelling for the assessment of the forwarders’ mobility range during timber forwarding uphill was conducted on an example of an eight-wheel Komatsu 875 forwarder, with a declared payload of 16,000 kg, equipped with 710/45-26.5 tires, for which the position of the centre of gravity was determined by the method of lifting the axle. The results of the distribution of the adhesion load on the front and rear axles of the forwarder indicated that, during timber forwarding of 16,000 kg and 4.82 m long hardwood logs on a terrain slope below 68%, there is no critical unloading on the front bogie axle, nor overloading on the rear bogie axle, i.e., wheel tire overload that could limit forwarder mobility. For the specified range of longitudinal terrain slope, a minimal cone index of 950 kPa for an exemplary forwarder is an environmental factor and was calculated based on the nominal ground pressure of the reference (heavier loaded) rear wheels of the vehicle. The forwarders’ mobility range was determined by the intersection curves of the gradeability (based on forwarders’ traction characteristics at wheel slip of 25% vs. cone index) and the curve of the minimal soil cone index. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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17 pages, 1043 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Positive and Negative Work Practices of Forest Machine Operators: Interviews and Literature Analysis

by Florian Hartsch, Felix A. Dreger, Martin Englund, Even Hoffart, Gerhard Rinkenauer, Thilo Wagner and Dirk Jaeger

Forests 2022, 13(12), 2153; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13122153 - 15 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1824

Abstract

Variance in productivity of fully mechanized timber harvesting under comparable stand and terrain conditions requires the investigation of the influence of work practices of machine operators. Work practices can vary among operators and may result in a wide range of productivity. Therefore, it is of great interest to identify positive and negative work practices of forest machine operators to improve forest work. For the qualitative analysis of work practices, 15 forest machine operator instructors were interviewed in Norway, Sweden, and Germany in semi-structured interviews. Additionally, a literature review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed. The interviews brought up detailed positive work practices and showed negative examples of machine handling, specifically related to boom operation. The literature review retrieved 2482 articles of which 16 were examined in more detail. The review showed that work practice characteristics were only sparsely covered, however, still overlapped with the work practice recommendations from the operator instructor interviews. Further, the literature search unveiled a scientific knowledge gap related to the quantification of applied work practices. Generally, positive work practices can include using optimal working ranges from 4–6 m, frequent machine repositioning, a matched fit of operator skill and crane speed, and an assortment pile size that matches the maximum grapple loads. Training is recommended to focus on crane control in terms of movement precision and work range adherence whereby the speed-accuracy trade-off should be improved to meet productivity requirements and increase efficiency in forest machine operator work. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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13 pages, 1277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Harvesting of Medium Rotation Hybrid Poplar Plantations: Systems Compared

by Fabio De Francesco, Natascia Magagnotti, Barnabáš Kováč, Patrik Heger, Dávid Heilig, Bálint Heil, Gábor Kovács, Tomáš Zemánek and Raffaele Spinelli

Forests 2022, 13(11), 1873; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111873 - 9 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1685

Abstract

In this study, the authors provide a direct comparison made between whole tree-harvesting (WTH) and cut-to length (CTL) methods, which was conducted in two sites in the Slovak Republic and applied to poplar plantations. Both systems, WTH and CTL, have been employed at the highest mechanization level in two sites: “Nivky” and “Skalica”. Two different strategies, namely, “mass handling” and “small-scale mechanization”, have been used for WTH and CTL, respectively. The study results showed that the level of productivity (ODT SMH⁻¹) in the felling operation was almost double for WTH than for the CTL method in Nivky (+84%) and more than double in Skalica (+113%). The extraction operation under WTH showed a productivity increase from one fifth (+20%) to more than double (104%) that of the CTL method in the Nivky and Skalica sites, respectively. Regarding cost-efficiency (EUR ODT⁻¹), the WTH system offers a similar trend except with respect to extraction in Nivky (higher productivity site), in which the CTL extraction was 4.5% less expensive than the WTH extraction. The study results show that the mass-handling technique deployed in the WTH system offers very good performance in poorer plantations since the very small tree size and low-growing stock challenge the CTL system more than the WTH system. The total operation (felling, bucking, and extraction) costs (EUR ODT⁻¹) recorded by the study in commercial conditions (as contractors perform for revenue purposes) were 32.50 and 45.80 EUR ODT⁻¹ for CTL and 43.30 and 53.60 EUR ODT⁻¹ for WTH for the higher-yield site (Nivky) and lower-yield site (Skalica), respectively. Regarding the WTH System, the researchers found that the drop in efficiency (and the consequent rise in the costs-per-ton of product) depends largely on the bucking phase conducted using the harvester at the landing of the stacked piles of interlocked trees. The main results of this study demonstrate the promising strategy of mass handling associated with the WTH system in medium rotation coppice (MRC) harvesting and shows that bucking is the weaker phase. Future efforts must be made to ensure feasibility of the “mass handling” strategy alongside the entire workflow by means of finding suitable mobile machinery that can delimb, debark, and crosscut tree bunches instead of single trees. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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26 pages, 7524 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Forest Road Systems Subjected to Different Loadings by Using the Finite Element Method

by Elena-Camelia Mușat and Ioan Bitir

Forests 2022, 13(11), 1872; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13111872 - 9 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1533

Abstract

In the actual context, in which there is a trend of increasing the weight of the vehicles used to transport materials, checking the deformations of road systems as a response to dynamic and static loadings is necessary to better manage the road infrastructure. The goal of the study was to evaluate how the number and the thickness of layers, and the material types could influence the behavior of the road systems subjected to different loads, and to find out which of the road systems have the smallest deformations. The Romania forest roads are classified into three categories, and the most important are the principal forest roads. There were chosen road systems proper to this category. Consequently, nine types of road systems were considered, based on the materials used and the thickness of the layers, and the deformations were evaluated by considering loads of 25, 35 and 45 tons. For modeling the behavior of road systems under different loads, the Finite Element Method (FEM) was used taking into consideration the static domain. The models show that, in all the cases, the deformations depend on the number of layers, while the thickness of the ballast layer can reduce the deformations because of the rigidness of the structure. Those findings are very important because not all the modeled roads systems could provide suitable bearing capacity. Hence, an inappropriate thickness of the layers could negatively influence the behavior of road systems under the traffic with weight increased. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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13 pages, 2729 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analytical Model for the Load-Bearing Capacity Analysis of Winter Forest Roads: Experiment and Estimation

by Vasily Katarov, Vladimir Syunev and Gennady Kolesnikov

Forests 2022, 13(10), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13101538 - 21 Sep 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1654

Abstract

In northern forests, winter is the preferred time for logging operations, since, when wet soils freeze, their strength increases, which ensures a high load-bearing capacity of winter forest roads and reduces the cost of forestry work by increasing the load on forestry equipment, including when driving through frozen lowlands. The present article analyzes frozen loamy–sandy soil, which, at subzero temperatures, behaves like a brittle material with a sufficiently high, but limited, strength. Well-known models commonly use empirical parameters, correlations, and numerical methods to estimate the strength of such materials. An analytical model of the full load–displacement curve would reduce the number of necessary calculations and increase the ability to predict the bearing capacity of winter forest roads. However, there are few of these models. Such models were developed, as a rule, to study stress–strain in concrete and rocks, meaning that researchers have to recalculate the load into stress and displacement into deformation, which is not always simple. This work aimed at theoretically justifying a new analytical model for quantifying the bearing capacity of winter forest roads and assessing the adequacy of the model by comparing it with experimental data. To achieve this purpose, the concepts of fracture mechanics and methods of mathematical modeling were used. The model was verified using experimental data, and model examples for determining the peak load were provided. Prospects for development of the research topic were also considered, taking into account new developments in forest road monitoring for logging management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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24 pages, 6060 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Computation of Strip Road Networks Based on Harvester Location Data

by Heikki Ovaskainen and Kirsi Riekki

Forests 2022, 13(5), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13050782 - 18 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1972

Abstract

The location information of strip roads in thinnings and the numerical variables of strip roads are one aspect of timber harvest quality information. The ideal of automatic quality management for mechanized logging is that the quality of the harvest is calculated and reported based on data collected by forest machines. At present, quality data is collected by means of laborious, manual, field-based, post-harvest measurements. The aim of this study was to develop an automatic method to compute the strip roads of the harvested stands after harvesting, based on the stem-specific location data of the harvester. Subsequently, the strip road variables were computed from the strip road networks. The computed strip road networks were validated with 21 manually recorded field references. The method was also applied to operational stand data, including 544 harvested stands collected from Southern Finland. The results showed that the computation method produces well-located, stand-specific strip road networks from which strip road variables can be accurately determined, covering the whole stand. Thus, the method promotes the automation of quality management and reporting. The computed strip road networks can also support harvester operator work during the harvesting and, later, the automation of harvesting operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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19 pages, 78296 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

GIS-AHP Approach in Forest Logging Planning to Apply Sustainable Forest Operations

by Francesco Latterini, Walter Stefanoni, Rachele Venanzi, Damiano Tocci and Rodolfo Picchio

Forests 2022, 13(3), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13030484 - 21 Mar 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3906

Abstract

This study represents the first attempt of integration, within a Forest Management Plan (FMP), of a Geographic Information System (GIS) and an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach for the selection of the most suitable logging method. It is important to underline that the developed methodology is applicable worldwide in each environmental context in which there is a need for planning the intervention and selecting from among several possible logging methods or harvesting systems. Schematically, the main aims of this study were: (i) to develop a GIS-AHP method based on open-access GIS software; (ii) to compare the results of the simulations developed from the statements of two different groups of experts from around the world, to determine the reliability of the predictive probability of the method. The selection of the extraction methods performed with RTS (experts from research and technical sector) input data showed that the most suitable option in the major part of the study area was the cable skidder, followed by the cable yarder, and finally the forwarder. The extraction system selection performed with OS (people from the operative sector) input data revealed limited differences. Thus, considering what was reported above, it is possible to assert that the applied GIS-AHP methodology showed good performance and high consistency in the selection of the best alternatives among different extraction methods. The idea of comparing the results obtained from a survey based on a pool of researchers and forest engineers (RTS) was taken as a target simulation to be evaluated. The method based on data derived from a pool of expert forest operators (OS) was used to check for the results of the other simulation. This is an innovation in these kinds of studies. The results from the consistency check were encouraging, considering that for 51 sub-compartments, only two changed the selected extraction system between RTS and OS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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Review

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16 pages, 1559 KiB

Open AccessReview

The State of the Art of Forest Operations in Beech Stands of Europe and Western Asia

by Francesco Latterini, Andrzej M. Jagodziński, Paweł Horodecki, Walter Stefanoni, Rachele Venanzi and Rodolfo Picchio

Forests 2023, 14(2), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/f14020318 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1640

Abstract

Beech (Fagus spp.) is one of the most common tree species in Europe and Western Asia. The implementation of sustainable forest Operations (SFOs) in beech forests is therefore crucial in terms of sustainable forest management. This review summarises the state of the art concerning time-motion studies carried out in beech forests, defining the work productivity and the related costs of different harvesting systems applied in these stands. The main focus in recent years on felling and processing operations has been the introduction of fully mechanised systems in beech forests, obtaining satisfactory results in terms of work productivity. However, the working performance is still lower than in coniferous stands. Skidding and forwarding resulted in suitable techniques for ground-based extraction, both showing a clear inclination towards increasing working performance when applying higher levels of mechanisation. Aerial extraction by cable yarders is particularly important in beech forests, considering that these are often located in steep terrains. Further efforts should be dedicated to enhancing the training for operators to extend the application of aerial extraction systems, which ensures good levels of work productivity and limited soil disturbances. In summary, this review aimed to give a clear insight into forest operations in beech forests which could be useful for forest managers, forest engineers and researchers in the sector of sustainable forest operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Wood Harvesting, Timber Logistics and Road Planning)

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