Assessment of Working Performance and Costs of Two Small-Scale Harvesting Systems for Medium Rotation Poplar Plantations

Latterini, Francesco; Stefanoni, Walter; Alfano, Vincenzo; Palmieri, Nadia; Mattei, Paolo; Pari, Luigi

doi:10.3390/f13040569

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Magagnotti and Spinelli (2011) reported a productivity of 1.9-3.0 m 3 PMH 1 for animal extraction in beech high forests, while a higher value of 4.0 m 3 PMH −1 was reported for extraction operations carried out by short wood system with a farm tractor equipped with frontal and rear loaders [46]. Obtained values are also in line with the range 3.2-5.0 m 3 PMH −1 reported by Vusić et al (2013) for winching with a small-scale skidder in a mixed hardwood stand in Croatia [47] and even higher than the 2.836 m 3 SMH −1 for winching extraction in a poplar plantation in Central Italy performed with a tractor and a winch of similar dimensions as the ones applied in the Pian Cansiglio and Mongiana study areas [48].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Work Productivity, Costs and Environmental Impacts of Two Thinning Methods in Italian Beech High Forests

et al. 2022

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In the Mediterranean area, the most common management of beech forests relies on the shelterwood system. However, more effort has been put into developing alternative silvicultural treatments to enhance the forests’ capacity to provide the higher ecosystem services. The crop-tree management system seems to perform well, particularly under the economic point of view. Moreover, it can provide higher quality timber from thinning interventions which are carried out before the end of the rotation period. However, very few articles have been found in the literature dealing with evaluation of the economic and environmental performance of the alternative thinning method based on crop-tree management (AT) in comparison to the traditional thinning from below typical of the shelterwood system (TT). Therefore, three study areas in Italy were selected to assess working productivity, costs and GHG emissions associated with the two methods. In the study areas with the application of mechanized extraction systems, AT showed higher work productivity and lower costs than TT, whereas GHG emissions reduction by AT was observed only in one of the three study areas. There was not significant improvement related to AT application when using animals for extraction operations. AT was more economically sustainable for thinning interventions in beech high forests, but the reduction of GHG emissions was not as effective as in TT. Crop-tree management proved to be a suitable option to be applied in beech forest stands, although further studies should focus on the overall rotation cycle and include the evaluation of impacts on productivity of a higher presence of saplings expected after crop-tree intervention.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Work Productivity, Costs and Environmental Impacts of Two Thinning Methods in Italian Beech High Forests

et al. 2022

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“…This has been confirmed for both poplar and eucalyptus MRC plantations compared to SRC ones [ 50 , 69 ]. However it is worth highlighting that increasing the rotation time leads to higher dimensions for the stems to be harvested, thus no longer allowing for single-passage harvesting but requiring double-passage harvesting carried out with machinery specifically developed for forest management (chainsaw, feller-buncher, harvester, forwarder, cable skidder) [ 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ]. Apart from low bulk density and mechanical durability, some authors have also found excessive nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine as a consequence of the fertilization activity carried out in SRC plants [ 74 ]; however, this strongly depends on the plantation management adopted and on the specific characteristics of the growing site.…”

Section: Pellets From Alternative Forest Biomassmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pellet Production from Pruning and Alternative Forest Biomass: A Review of the Most Recent Research Findings

et al. 2023

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Typically, coniferous sawdust from debarked stems is used to make pellets. Given the high lignin content, which ensures strong binding and high calorific values, this feedstock provides the best quality available. However, finding alternative feedstocks for pellet production is crucial if small-scale pellet production is to be developed and used to support the economy and energy independence of rural communities. These communities have to be able to create pellets devoid of additives and without biomass pre-processing so that the feedstock price remains low. The features of pellets made from other sources of forest biomass, such as different types of waste, broadleaf species, and pruning biomass, have attracted some attention in this context. This review sought to provide an overview of the most recent (2019–2023) knowledge on the subject and to bring into consideration potential feedstocks for the growth of small-scale pellet production. Findings from the literature show that poor bulk density and mechanical durability are the most frequent issues when making pellets from different feedstocks. All of the tested alternative biomass typologies have these shortcomings, which are also a result of the use of low-performance pelletizers in small-scale production, preventing the achievement of adequate mechanical qualities. Pellets made from pruning biomass, coniferous residues, and wood from short-rotation coppice plants all have significant flaws in terms of ash content and, in some cases, nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine content as well. All things considered, research suggests that broadleaf wood from beech and oak trees, collected through routine forest management activities, makes the best feasible feedstock for small-scale pellet production. Despite having poor mechanical qualities, these feedstocks can provide pellets with a low ash level. High ash content is a significant disadvantage when considering pellet manufacture and use on a small scale since it can significantly raise maintenance costs, compromising the supply chain’s ability to operate cost-effectively. Pellets with low bulk density and low mechanical durability can be successfully used in a small-scale supply chain with the advantages of reducing travel distance from the production site and storage time.

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“…In addition, small-sized logs have the potential to produce pallets in secondary sawmills (Taipe and Rivas, 2021;Haro et al, 2015). According to Eisenbies et al (2021) and Latterini et al (2022), the demand for lignocellulosic biomass has increased for different paper industrial purposes.…”

Section: Origin Of Solid Waste Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficient use of timber resources in Mexico: Historical development and current challenges

et al. 2023

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The use and consumption of wood has always captured the attention of forest researchers, mainly from the point of view of forest management and the sustainable processing of raw materials. For this reason, the wood industry has not only been concerned with the maintenance of forests, but also with efficient processing. The objective was to identify, analyse and discuss the main elements that influence the efficient use of natural timber resources at a global, regional and local level, providing a historical and current perspective of the industrial forestry sector in Mexico. Historically, the wood industries worldwide have been concerned with applying intensive silvicultural treatments in native and artificial forest stands, in search of satisfying the demand of a growing market. In this context, industries evolved as processes needed to be more efficient. Therefore, efforts were made to reduce and take advantage of forest residues, at the same time various historical events generated additional needs. At present, the integration of silviculture and forest transformation allow to increase and improve the quality of the products generated. Through the application of intensive silvicultural treatments, products of a single species are obtained. However, it is possible to direct production to a specific market as the forest mass develops. For its part, selective treatments in uneven-aged forests maintain a constant production of diverse products for different specialized markets. In Mexico, it is imperative to analyse and generate innovative or competitive products derived from wood to improve the efficiency of forest harvesting.

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Assessment of Working Performance and Costs of Two Small-Scale Harvesting Systems for Medium Rotation Poplar Plantations

Cited by 6 publications

References 30 publications

Work Productivity, Costs and Environmental Impacts of Two Thinning Methods in Italian Beech High Forests

Work Productivity, Costs and Environmental Impacts of Two Thinning Methods in Italian Beech High Forests

Pellet Production from Pruning and Alternative Forest Biomass: A Review of the Most Recent Research Findings

Efficient use of timber resources in Mexico: Historical development and current challenges

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