An eco-efficient and economical optimum evaluation technique for the forest road networks: the case of the mountainous forest of Metsovo, Greece

Abstract

The sustainable forest management can be achieved only through environmentally sound and economically efficient and feasible forest road networks and transportation systems that can potentially improve the multi-functional use of forest resources. However, road network planning and construction suggest long-term finance that require a capital investment (cash outflow), which would be equal to the value of the total revenue flow (cash inflow) over the whole lifecycle project. This paper emphasizes in an eco-efficient and economical optimum evaluation method for the forest road networks in the mountainous forest of Metsovo, Greece. More specifically, with the use of this technique, we evaluated the forest roads' (a) total construction costs, (b) annual maintenance cost, and (c) log skidding cost. In addition, we estimated the total economic value of forest goods and services that are lost from the forest roads' construction. Finally, we assessed the optimum eco-efficient and economical forest roads densities based on linear equations that stem from the internal rate of return method (IRR) and have been presented graphically. Data analysis and its presentation are achieved with the contribution of geographic information systems (GIS). The technique which is described in this study can be for the decision makers an attractive and useful implement in order to select the most eco-friendly and economical optimum solution to plan forest road network or to evaluate the existing forest transportation systems. Hence, with the use of this method, we can combine not only the multi-objective utilization of natural resources but also the environmental protection of forest ecosystems.

Effects of forest roads and an assessment of their disturbance of the natural enviroment based on GIS spatial multi-criteria analysis: case study of the University Forest of Taxiarchis, Chalkidiki, Greece

“…This necessity to balance the socio-economic benefits with the environmental cost of the disturbance caused by forest roads has led many researchers to develop methods which examine the environmental impact of forest roads in order to achieve sustainable management (Aguiar et al 2021;Dangerfield et al 2021;Jung et al 2013;Tampekis et al 2018;Yildirim and Kadi 2020;Olander et al 1998;Sekulic et al 2021). An integrated approach to the environmental impact of forest roads is also important for developing decision support systems (DSSs) for the construction of new forest roads (Jaafari et al 2015).…”

Optimal Forest Road Density as Decision-Making Factor in Wood Extraction

“…At the same time, it is important to associate these distance classes with the costs of construction, maintenance, and the reconstruction of forest roads, and, consequently, with the optimal forest road density (ORD), in order to provide efficiency for harvesting and wood transport operations [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]. Forest roads can also work as firebreaks for fire prevention and control, in addition to helping create better access for firefighters to the place in question [33,34].…”

Positive Phase Pressure Function and Pressure Attenuation Characteristic of a Liquid Carbon Dioxide Blasting System

“…Due to the rapid development of coal mining technologies and fully mechanized mining machines, the Cardox system is rarely used today in coal mining [6]. Over the past twenty years, with the coal mining safety concern and chemical explosives control, the advantages of the Cardox system is exposed again in some coal mines [7][8][9][10], urban construction projects [11], frozen soil blasting [12], rock breaking, and concrete demolition blasting under a special circumstances [13][14][15].…”

“…The chemical energizer is activated by a small electrical charge which causes the blasting. mines [7][8][9][10], urban construction projects [11], frozen soil blasting [12], rock breaking, and concrete demolition blasting under a special circumstances [13][14][15].…”