Economic and Operational Analysis of Mechanized Forest Implementation

Abstract

Mechanization in forestry implantation demands high energy, time, and high operational and production costs. Thus, studies related to the influence of variables on the efficiency of these activities are essential to reduce costs and optimize operations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the operational and cost performance of mechanized forest implantation operations in Eucalyptus sp. Data were collected from eucalyptus plantations located in the northern region of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The analysis of operational performance determined the distribution of operating times, mechanical availability, degree of utilization, operational efficiency, and productivity of the machines. The cost analysis estimated the operating costs in forestry implantation activities. The forest planting operations were: waste removal, subsoiling, digging with fertilization, planting, chemical weeding, and covering fertilization. According to the results, planting (39.20%) and waste removal (15.99%) represented the longest operating cycle times, the shortest production times (51.48% and 53.64%), and finally the longest maintenance times (32.95% and 29%). Chemical weeding and subsoiling showed the lowest maintenance times (4.64% and 3.47%). The cover fertilization was the operation that presented the highest productivity (2.99 ha he-1), and the removal of residues had the lowest (0.97 ha he-1). The highest costs per effective hour (R$13.57 he-1) and lowest production costs (R$81.59 ha-1) occurred at planting. Subsoiling had the highest production cost (R$112.80 ha-1). The lowest operating cost was obtained in the fertilizing operation. Operating costs had the greatest weight in labor, fuel, and maintenance and repairs.

Forest resource management system based on blockchain

“…An example is provided for implementing a blockchain based forest management system (Frosini et al, 2009). Fiedler, et al (2020) analyzed the entire process cost of forest planting operations by studying variables related to agricultural planting mechanization, and found that the consumption cost of subsoil is the highest, indicating the need for rational utilization of existing forest areas, which can to some extent reduce the cost of seedling cultivation. This will directly affect the survival rate of afforestation and the newly formed forest area in forest resource management.…”