Computers and Electronics in Agriculture / Towards the applicability of biometric wood log traceability using digital log end images

Log traceability in the timber based industries is a basic requirement to fulfil economical, social and legal requirements. This work introduces biometric log recognition using digital log end images and explores the robustness to a set of log end cross-section (CS) variations. In order to investigate longitudinal and surface CS variations three tree logs were sliced and captured in different sessions. A texture feature-based technique well known from fingerprint recognition is adopted to compute and match biometric templates of CS images captured from log ends. In the experimental evaluation insights and constraints on the general applicability and robustness of log end biometrics to identify logs in an industrial application are presented. Results for different identification performance scenarios indicate that the matching procedure which is based on annual ring pattern and shape information is very robust to log length cutting using different cutting tools. The findings of this study are a further step towards the development of a biometric log recognition system.(VLID)223160

Forest Harvesting Productivity and Cost in Maine: New Tools and Processes

Computer simulations have been used in forestry and forest operations since around 1960. In many cases such simulations can be used to answer questions that would be time consuming and expensive to investigate in a real-life environment. This dissertation focuses on the use of computer simulation in forest operations to answer questions regarding the profitability of technological advancements, investments in precommercial thinning (PCT), and the use of different harvesting systems. To explore the benefits of decoupling a harvesting system, a new simulation method, called agent based modeling was used. Agent based modeling is primarily used in social sciences but now is increasingly used in other fields due to its flexibility in assigning behavior rules to individual object (agents). Other computer simulations in this study were based on growth & yield models and harvest time simulations. Results clearly showed that technological advancements in a grapple skidder and stroke delimber system marginally increased profits, whereas the use of two grapple skidders proved to be most profitable in the majority of scenarios tested. Further, results showed that the same profit per unit can be achieved at the first commercial thinning, whether a stand was previously precommercially thinned or not. Thus, there is no financial gain or loss in investing in PCT at the first thinning, although there will be a faster supply of sawlogs in the future. The last simulation clearly showed that delaying a commercial thinning does not result in a change of maximum net present value (NPV), however, it does change the time in which this NPV can be achieved. The simulation further showed that a cut-to-length harvesting system is the most profitable one in the final harvest of softwood stands in northern Maine. Overall, these simulations have provided data that in most cases would otherwise not have been possible to collect for years to come. In the future each individual study can be expanded to refine the questions asked or to include an increasing variety of harvesting equipment

Cooperative Forestry Research Unit Annual Report 2014

Cooperative forestry research unit annual repor

Cooperative Forestry Research Unit Annual Report 2014

Cooperative forestry research unit annual repor

Precious Forests

Forests are the dominant terrestrial ecosystem of Earth. They are distributed across the globe. Forests account for 75% of the gross primary productivity of the Earth's biosphere, and contain 80% of the Earth's plant biomass. Human society and forests influence each other in both positive and negative ways. Forests provide ecosystem services to humans. Forests can also impose costs, affect people's health, and interfere with tourist enjoyment. This publication presents reviews and research results on negative and positive human interference on forests, as well as ecology, management, governance, policy and economic issues. The book consists of four sections with 12 chapters derived from around the world

Climate-Smart Forestry in Mountain Regions

This open access book offers a cross-sectoral reference for both managers and scientists interested in climate-smart forestry, focusing on mountain regions. It provides a comprehensive analysis on forest issues, facilitating the implementation of climate objectives. This book includes structured summaries of each chapter. Funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, CLIMO has brought together scientists and experts in continental and regional focus assessments through a cross-sectoral approach, facilitating the implementation of climate objectives. CLIMO has provided scientific analysis on issues including criteria and indicators, growth dynamics, management prescriptions, long-term perspectives, monitoring technologies, economic impacts, and governance tools

Climate-Smart Forestry in Mountain Regions

This open access book offers a cross-sectoral reference for both managers and scientists interested in climate-smart forestry, focusing on mountain regions. It provides a comprehensive analysis on forest issues, facilitating the implementation of climate objectives. This book includes structured summaries of each chapter. Funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, CLIMO has brought together scientists and experts in continental and regional focus assessments through a cross-sectoral approach, facilitating the implementation of climate objectives. CLIMO has provided scientific analysis on issues including criteria and indicators, growth dynamics, management prescriptions, long-term perspectives, monitoring technologies, economic impacts, and governance tools

Cooperative Forestry Research Unit Annual Report 2010

Cooperative forestry research unit annual repor