Depth-to-water maps as predictors of rut severity in fully mechanized harvesting operations

The preservation of the functionality of forest soil is a key aspect in planning mechanized harvesting operations. Therefore, knowledge and information about stand and soil characteristics are vital to the planning process. In this respect, depth-to-water (DTW) maps were reviewed with regard to their potential use as a prediction tool for wheel ruts. To test the applicability of open source DTW maps for prediction of rutting, the ground surface conditions of 20 clear-cut sites were recorded post harvesting, using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In total, 80 km of machine tracks were categorized by the severity of occurring rut-formations to investigate whether: i) operators intuitively avoid areas with low DTW values, ii) a correlation exists between decreasing DTW values and increasing rut severity, and iii) DTW maps can serve as reliable decision-making tool in minimizing the environmental effects of big machinery deployment. While the machine operators did not have access to these predictions (DTW maps) during the operations, there was no visual evidence that driving through these areas was actively avoided, resulting in a higher density of severe rutting within areas with DTW values <1 m. A logistic regression analysis confirmed that the probability of severe rutting rapidly increases with decreasing DTW values. However, significant differences between sites exist which might be attributed to a series of other factors such as soil type, weather conditions, number of passes and load capacity. Monitoring these factors is hence highly recommended in any further follow-up studies on soil trafficability.publishedVersio

Droner som FKT - bruk av droner som forebyggende tiltak i beitenæringen

Utmarksbeitende dyr er utsatt for angrep fra fredet rovvilt. I oppdrag fra rovviltnemnda i region 6 Midt-Norge undersøker vi den mulige nytteverdien av droner i åpen kategori som forebyggende- og konfliktdempende tiltak (FKT). Utredningen er basert på informasjon fra intervjuer, faglitteratur og dronetestflygninger.Droner som FKT kan brukes under (1) tilsyn, (2) flytting av dyr fra rovdyrutsatte områder, (3) automatisk gjenkjenning og telling av dyr, (4) overvåkning av rovdyrutsatte områder, (5) kadaversøk, (6) søk av skadete eller skremte beitedyr og (7) sporing av rovdyr. Dronebruk i åpen kategori er delvis mulig for (1) – (3) så lenge dronen er innen synsrekkevidden. Slike operasjoner kan ikke skilles fra vanlig drift. Operasjoner under (4) – (7) må dekke større områder og må utføres i spesifikk kategori. Effektiviteten av slike droneoperasjoner er ukjent. Droner kan brukes i alle typer habitat ved å tilpasse sensorene for fjernmåling. Regelverket, signaldekning, vær- og lysforhold setter begrensninger. Dronesystemer i åpen kategori er lett, enkle å bruke, transportere og lade. Mer avanserte droner (<25 kg) er dyre og vanskelig å transportere og lade og brukes best i spesifikk kategori for mer varierte FKT-formål. I nær framtid kan droner f.eks. brukes til sporing av beite- og rovdyr, kadaversøk og skremming, samt innhenting av data fra elektroniske sporingsenheter på dyr. Til og med selvgående droner som rykker ut når en nødsituasjon oppstår er mulig. Effektiviteten bør testes under norske lys- og værforhold. I samsvar med en rask teknologiutvikling krever økt dronebruk i utmark økt oppmerksomhet omkring konsekvensene med hensyn til offentlig sikkerhet, personvern og ikke minst dyreliv.Droner som FKT - bruk av droner som forebyggende tiltak i beitenæringenpublishedVersio

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

Subclinical endometritis in dairy cattle is associated with distinct mRNA expression patterns in blood and endometrium

Cattle with subclinical endometritis (SCE) are sub-fertile and diagnosing subclinical uterine disease remains a challenge. The hypothesis for this study was that endometrial inflammation is reflected in mRNA expression patterns of peripheral blood leucocytes. Transcriptome profiles were evaluated in healthy cows and in cows with SCE using circulating white blood cells (WBC) and endometrial biopsy samples collected from the same animals at 45–55 days postpartum. Bioinformatic analyses of microarray-based transcriptional data identified gene profiles associated with distinct biological functions in circulating WBC and endometrium. In circulating WBC, SCE promotes a pro-inflammatory environment, whereas functions related to tissue remodeling are also affected in the endometrium. Nineteen differentially expressed genes associated with SCE were common to both circulating WBC and the endometrium. Among these genes, transcript abundance of immune factors C3, C2, LTF, PF4 and TRAPPC13 were up-regulated in SCE cows at 45–55 days postpartum. Moreover, mRNA expression of C3, CXCL8, LTF, TLR2 and TRAPPC13 was temporally regulated during the postpartum period in circulating WBC of healthy cows compared with SCE cows. This observation might indicate an advantageous modulation of the immune system in healthy animals. The transcript abundance of these genes represents a potential source of indicators for postpartum uterine health

Static and Sliding Frictions of Roundwood Exposed to Different Levels of Processing and Their Impact on Transportation Logistics

Load safety is a critical component of successful logistic operations. Different influencing factors can affect the necessity of intensive load securing methods. The most dominant factor is the friction characteristics of the intended cargo. A cargo with special requirements on load safety is debarked roundwood. Due to modern forestry challenges, larger amounts of debarked roundwood assortments are now being produced within German forest operations. To assess the influence of debarking onto the static and sliding frictions of Norway spruce, pulling tests were performed and compared to barked assortments. Results showed that a significant difference in both static and sliding frictions exists between barked and debarked assortments within the first seven days after harvesting. However, this significant difference became less prominent after the logs continued to dry out and no difference was detected after 21 days. Over the monitored period, debarked assortments presented a 40%&ndash;45% faster drying rate than barked assortments. This resulted in a calculated 11%&ndash;28% additional transportable net load (m3) of debarked roundwood assortments for long trailer systems. Hence, debarked roundwood can be treated similarly to barked roundwood if stored long enough prior to road transportation, while having the potential of increased savings within the wood logistic chain

Modifikation konventioneller Harvesterfällköpfe: ein technischer Ansatz zur Entrindung im Bestand unter mitteleuropäischen Verhältnissen

Within a basic research project, conventional European harvesting heads were modified with parts of Eucalyptus debarking heads, in order to add in-stand debarking to fully mechanized harvesting operations. The carried out modifications resulted in a debarking percentage of up to 90% for summer harvesting operations. During winter harvesting operations, the absence of the sap flow resulted in a 46% decreased debarking percentage. However, conventional head modifications acted beneficially on the nutrient supply, bark beetle infestation control and logistic challenges.Im Rahmen eines Forschungsprojektes wurden konventionell genutzte Harvesterfällköpfe so modifiziert, dass während des Fäll- und Aufarbeitungsprozesses gleichzeitig entrindet werden kann. Innerhalb der Sommerversuche, resultierten die durchgeführten Modifikationen in einem Entrindungsprozent von bis zu 90%. Durch das Fehlen des Saftflusses im Stamm, reduzierte sich das Entrindungsergebnis für Wintereinsätze um 46%. Dennoch wirkte sich die Entrindung nachweislich positiv auf die Nährstoffversorgung, den Borkenkäferbefall und logistische Prozesse aus

Application of Terrestrial Laser Scanner to Evaluate the Influence of Root Collar Geometry on Stump Height after Mechanized Forest Operations

The height of tree stumps following mechanized forest operations can be influenced by machine-, tree-, terrain-, and operator-related characteristics. High stumps may pose different economic and technical disadvantages. Aside from a reduction in product recovery (often associated with sawlog potential), leaving high stumps can complicate future entries if smaller equipment with low ground clearance is used, particularly in the case where new machine operating trails are required. The objective of this exploratory study was to examine if correlations existed between the height of tree stumps following mechanized harvesting and the shape of the above-ground root collar, stump diameter, and distance to the machine operating trail. In total, 202 sample stumps of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and the surrounding terrain were scanned with a terrestrial laser scanner. The collected data was processed into a 3D-model and then analyzed. Stump height was compared with different characteristics such as stump diameter at the cut surface, distance to the machine operating trail, number of visible root flares per stump, and the root collar. The number of root flares per stump had a positive influence on stump diameter and height, showing a general trend of increasing diameter and height with the increasing number of root flares. Root angles also had an influence on the stump diameter. The diameter of a stump and the shape of the root collar at the cut surface together had a significant effect on stump height and the model reported explained half of the variation of stump heights. Taken together, these findings suggest that other factors than the ones studied can also contribute in influencing stump height during mechanized harvesting operations. Further investigations, including pre- and post-harvest scans of trees selected for removal, are warranted

Depth-to-water maps as predictors of rut severity in fully mechanized harvesting operations

The preservation of the functionality of forest soil is a key aspect in planning mechanized harvesting operations. Therefore, knowledge and information about stand and soil characteristics are vital to the planning process. In this respect, depth-to-water (DTW) maps were reviewed with regard to their potential use as a prediction tool for wheel ruts. To test the applicability of open source DTW maps for prediction of rutting, the ground surface conditions of 20 clear-cut sites were recorded post harvesting, using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In total, 80 km of machine tracks were categorized by the severity of occurring rut-formations to investigate whether: i) operators intuitively avoid areas with low DTW values, ii) a correlation exists between decreasing DTW values and increasing rut severity, and iii) DTW maps can serve as reliable decision-making tool in minimizing the environmental effects of big machinery deployment. While the machine operators did not have access to these predictions (DTW maps) during the operations, there was no visual evidence that driving through these areas was actively avoided, resulting in a higher density of severe rutting within areas with DTW values <1 m. A logistic regression analysis confirmed that the probability of severe rutting rapidly increases with decreasing DTW values. However, significant differences between sites exist which might be attributed to a series of other factors such as soil type, weather conditions, number of passes and load capacity. Monitoring these factors is hence highly recommended in any further follow-up studies on soil trafficability

Development and Validation of a Photo-Based Measurement System to Calculate the Debarking Percentages of Processed Logs

Within a research project investigating the applicability and performance of modified harvesting heads used during the debarking of coniferous tree species, the actual debarking percentage of processed logs needed to be evaluated. Therefore, a computer-based photo-optical measurement system (Stemsurf) designed to assess the debarking percentage recorded in the field was developed, tested under laboratory conditions, and applied in live field operations. In total, 1720 processed logs of coniferous species from modified harvesting heads were recorded and analyzed within Stemsurf. With a single log image as the input, the overall debarking percentage was calculated by further estimating the un-displayed part of the log surface by defining polygons representing the differently debarked areas of the log surface. To assess the precision and bias of the developed measurement system, 480 images were captured under laboratory conditions on an artificial log with defined surface polygons. Within the laboratory test, the standard deviation of average debarking percentages remained within a 4% variation. A positive bias of 6.7% was caused by distortion and perspective effects. This resulted in an average underestimation of 1.1% for the summer debarking percentages gathered from field operations. The software generally performed as anticipated through field and lab testing and offered a suitable alternative of assessing stem debarking percentage, a task that should increase in importance as more operations are targeting debarked products