Trafficability Prediction Using Depth-to-Water Maps : the Status of Application in Northern and Central European Forestry

DOI 10.1007/s40725-022-00159-w CorrectionPurpose of Review Mechanized logging operations with ground-based equipment commonly represent European production forestry but are well-known to potentially cause soil impacts through various forms of soil disturbances, especially on wet soils with low bearing capacity. In times of changing climate, with shorter periods of frozen soils, heavy rain fall events in spring and autumn and frequent needs for salvage logging, forestry stakeholders face increasingly unfavourable conditions to conduct low-impact operations. Thus, more than ever, planning tools such as trafficability maps are required to ensure efficient forest operations at reduced environmental impact. This paper aims to describe the status quo of existence and implementation of such tools applied in forest operations across Europe. In addition, focus is given to the availability and accessibility of data relevant for such predictions. Recent Findings A commonly identified method to support the planning and execution of machine-based operations is given by the prediction of areas with low bearing capacity due to wet soil conditions. Both the topographic wetness index (TWI) and the depth-to-water algorithm (DTW) are used to identify wet areas and to produce trafficability maps, based on spatial information. Summary The required input data is commonly available among governmental institutions and in some countries already further processed to have topography-derived trafficability maps and respective enabling technologies at hand. Particularly the Nordic countries are ahead within this process and currently pave the way to further transfer static trafficability maps into dynamic ones, including additional site-specific information received from detailed forest inventories. Yet, it is hoped that a broader adoption of these information by forest managers throughout Europe will take place to enhance sustainable forest operations.Peer reviewe

Trafficability Prediction Using Depth-to-Water Maps : the Status of Application in Northern and Central European Forestry

DOI 10.1007/s40725-022-00159-w CorrectionPurpose of Review Mechanized logging operations with ground-based equipment commonly represent European production forestry but are well-known to potentially cause soil impacts through various forms of soil disturbances, especially on wet soils with low bearing capacity. In times of changing climate, with shorter periods of frozen soils, heavy rain fall events in spring and autumn and frequent needs for salvage logging, forestry stakeholders face increasingly unfavourable conditions to conduct low-impact operations. Thus, more than ever, planning tools such as trafficability maps are required to ensure efficient forest operations at reduced environmental impact. This paper aims to describe the status quo of existence and implementation of such tools applied in forest operations across Europe. In addition, focus is given to the availability and accessibility of data relevant for such predictions. Recent Findings A commonly identified method to support the planning and execution of machine-based operations is given by the prediction of areas with low bearing capacity due to wet soil conditions. Both the topographic wetness index (TWI) and the depth-to-water algorithm (DTW) are used to identify wet areas and to produce trafficability maps, based on spatial information. Summary The required input data is commonly available among governmental institutions and in some countries already further processed to have topography-derived trafficability maps and respective enabling technologies at hand. Particularly the Nordic countries are ahead within this process and currently pave the way to further transfer static trafficability maps into dynamic ones, including additional site-specific information received from detailed forest inventories. Yet, it is hoped that a broader adoption of these information by forest managers throughout Europe will take place to enhance sustainable forest operations.Peer reviewe

From costs associated with forest multifunctionality and regulations to a “forest for people”

La multifonctionnalité des forêts entraîne des contraintes et des coûts pour les professionnels de la filière qui valorisent la production de bois (propriétaire, gestionnaire, exploitant et ETF). Ces coûts sont directs (respect des réglementations...), indirects (perte d’opportunité...), de transaction (recherche d’information...) mais aussi générés par la désorganisation de la production issue d’aléa (promeneur « grincheux »). Le retour d’expériences de professionnels de la filière consultés permet d’objectiver certains de ces coûts. Ainsi, les procédures réglementaires mobilisent jusqu’à 20% du temps des opérateurs de la récolte. Les autres coûts sont individuellement faibles mais leur somme est non négligeable. Le contexte de plus en plus contraint de l’exploitation forestière exacerbe alors leurs impacts. En fin d’article, des propositions sont formulées pour équilibrer la réglementation et renforcer la collaboration entre acteurs dans une perspective de gestion durable.Forest multifunctionality produces constraints and costs for foresters and forest-based professionals who add value to wood production (owners, managers, farmers and logging companies). These costs are direct (compliance with regulations), indirect (opportunity cost), transaction costs (seeking information, etc.) but they are also costs generated by the disorganisation of production as a result of unforeseen events (“grumpy” hiker). Feedback from professionals in the industry is helpful in putting a figure to some of those costs. For instance, procedures required by regulations take up to 20% of harvest operators’ time. The other costs taken singly are low but when added up are by no means negligible. Growing legal demands on forestry compounds the effects of these constraints. At the end of the article, the authors offer some suggestions to balance regulations and strengthen cooperation between actors in a sustainable management perspective

Techniques and productivity of coppice harvesting operations in Europe: a meta-analysis of available data

International audienceAbstractKey messageCoppice harvesting technology is evolving toward increased mechanization and larger more efficient equipment. Nevertheless, cheap and versatile general-purpose machines (excavators and farm tractors) still represent the backbone of coppice mechanization, which is consistent with the rural character of coppice economy.ContextOperating within the scope of COST Action FP1301 “Eurocoppice”, the authors conducted a survey of coppice harvesting studies produced in Europe from 1970 to present. The survey focused on traditional coppice stands and excluded industrial short-rotation coppice, established with willow, poplar, eucalyptus, or other fast-growing species.AimsThe goals of this study were to calculate productivity benchmarks for coppice harvesting operations and to gauge the progress achieved over the past 40-plus years.MethodsData from existing studies (published and unpublished) were collected through a harmonized questionnaire and gathered into a single master database. Statistical analysis was used to estimate productivity models and determine possible differences between methods, work conditions, and time periods.ResultsSix productivity models were estimated for the main harvesting steps and technologies. Productivity varied with a number of factors and notably with removal (m3 ha−1). The analysis disclosed a clear trend toward increased mechanization and higher productivity.ConclusionCoppice harvesting is being mechanized, but the mechanization deployed in coppice stands is adapted to the specific conditions offered by these stands. Light, cheap, and versatile machines are generally preferred to heavy industrial equipment

Logging Windthrows - Caution ! Danger !

Dangereuse en temps normal, l'exploitation forestière l'est plus encore quand elle traite de chablis. C'est pourquoi les tempêtes de 1999 ont fait de la sécurité des chantiers une priorité des acteurs de la filière-bois et une source d'actions complémentaires. L'AFOCEL a étudié les méthodes d'exploitation et diffusé des informations techniques concrètes sur les accidents du travail et la manière de les éviter. La Mutualité sociale agricole a développé des actions de prévention et analysé les accidents survenus. L'ONF a mobilisé son centre de formation et multiplié les consignes de sécurité. Il en ressort que, si ces efforts n'ont pu éviter tous les drames, ils en ont limité le nombre et continueront à produire des effets au-delà des chablis.Even in ordinary circumstances, logging is a dangerous activity but even more so when windthrows are involved. The 1999 storms made safety for logging operations a major priority for the players in the forestry and forest-based industries to which particular attention was paid. The AFOCEL studied logging methods and disseminated practical technical information about occupational hazards and how to avoid accidents. The MSA, the farmers' health insurance scheme, developed preventive programs and analysed the accidents that did occur. The ONF's training centre carried out special actions and safety rules were widely circulated. Although some accidents nevertheless occurred, these efforts helped to reduce their number and will continue to have positive effects beyond the period of windthrow logging

Silvicultural practices and soil protection

The purpose of this work is to assess the risks deriving from current forestry practices on the sustainability of soil function and ecosystems. The relationship between the production function and the soil conservation function translates as a certain conflict between these two options. Stresses on the chemical fertility of the soil were analysed from the least intensive to the most intensive treatments, i.e. from forest reserves to very short rotation, treated lignocellulosic crops. Under the extensive systems, high grade biological recycling is sustainable if logging is confined to trunks alone. Dressings can correct the slow but inevitable acidification of soils. When treatments are intensive, the natural fertility of forest soils cannot sustain production; only soils with suitable physical qualities combined with application of appropriate inputs enable sustained high levels of output to be achieved, in particular under the short rotation systems.Ce travail tente d’évaluer les risques que font peser les pratiques forestières actuelles sur la durabilité des fonctions des sols et des écosystèmes. La relation entre fonction de production et fonction de conservation des sols traduit une certaine antinomie entre ces deux options. Les contraintes pour la fertilité chimique du sol sont analysées pour les traitements des moins aux plus intensifs, c’est-à-dire des réserves forestières aux cultures lignocellulosiques traitées à très courte révolution. Dans les systèmes extensifs, le recyclage biologique performant est durable si les exploitations se cantonnent aux seuls troncs. Les amendements permettent de corriger l’acidification lente et inéluctable des sols. Dans les traitements intensifs, la fertilité naturelle des sols forestiers ne peut soutenir la production ; seuls les sols de qualité physique convenable et avec apports d’intrants peuvent conduire à des productions élevées et soutenues, en particulier dans les systèmes à courte révolution