Cable Logging Contract Rates in the Alps: the Effect of Regional Variability and Technical Constraints

A survey of cable logging contracts was conducted in 5 of the 8 Alpine countries, namely: France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland. The goals of the survey were to set a general reference for cable logging rates, to identify eventual differences between countries and to determine the effect of technical work parameters (i.e. piece size, removal per hectare, line length) on actual contract rates. With a total sample size of 566 units, the mean removal and rate were 165 m3 ha–1 and 42.9 € m–3, respectively. Both removal per hectare and contract logging rates varied considerably and the study found significant differences between countries. Switzerland stood out from the group with the highest removal (345 m3 ha–1), but also the highest contract rate (79.5 € m–3). Removal per hectare was lowest in Italy with just 58.3 m3 ha–1, and logging rate lowest in Slovenia at 29.3 € m–3. Logging rates were highly correlated with the average labour rate of each country. Technical factors such as tree size, line length and tract size explained about 40% of the variability in logging rates. Therefore, 60% of the variability is explained by other technical factors not included in our data and by non-technical factors, such as local market dynamics

Successional changes of phytodiversity on a short rotation coppice plantation in Oberschwaben, Germany

To allow for information on successional changes in phytodiversity over time and space, as well as information on differences between clones and treatments, phytodiversity was monitored on a poplar short rotation coppice plantation in Oberschwaben, Southwest Germany, in four consecutive years. The investigated plantation was divided into two core areas, one planted with poplar clone Max4, the other with Monviso; each core area was divided into two blocks with alternating treatments: i) irrigation and fertilization; ii) irrigation; and iii) no treatment. All vascular plant species of the ground vegetation were recorded in 72 permanent sampling plots of 25 m² each during vegetation periods using the Braun-Blanquet scale.Results showed that total number of species increased in first two years and declined after harvest of the SRC-trees. Total vegetation cover decreased during the four years of study. Especially for the two clones there was an opposed trend: grass layer had a high cover on Monviso plots, but low cover on Max4 plots; herb layer the very reverse. However, there was no significant difference between the three treatments compared within each year. Perennial species were dominating over all years, as well as light-demanding species, but their proportion decreased steadily. Our results confirm the conclusion of previous studies which indicate that plant community succession takes place in ground vegetation of SRC and imply that species composition is age-dependent. The selection of clones for SRC can influence ground vegetation; some floristic changes for example caused by different treatments may be visible only when monitored over a longer period of time

Vibration and Noise Exposure during Pre-Commercial Thinning Operations: What Are the Ergonomic Benefits of the Latest Generation Professional-Grade Battery-Powered Chainsaws?

In order to compare the vibration and noise exposure of STIHL’s battery-powered MSA 220 C and the combustion driven MS 201 C, a professional operator was monitored during a pre-commercial thinning operation in a twenty-year-old hardwood stand. The vibration levels were measured with a tri-axial accelerometer on the front and rear handle of both the chainsaws, and assigned to five different work elements using a video documentation. Additionally, noise levels were recorded in one-minute intervals, with a dosemeter worn by the operator. The results show that battery-powered chainsaws, when compared to combustion-driven chainsaws, can reduce the daily vibration exposure by more than 45% and the noise dose by about 78.4%, during pre-commercial thinning tasks. Replacing combustion-driven chainsaws with battery-powered ones is therefore generally recommended, to reduce occupational health risks for operators, in this respect. However, the daily vibration exposure of about 2.42 m/s2, caused by the battery-powered chainsaw on the front handle, is still very close to the daily exposure action value set by the EU directives for health and safety requirements. The daily noise exposure of 89.18 dB(A) even exceeds the upper exposure action value. Consequently, a further reduction in the vibration exposure during work is desirable. With respect to noise exposure, additional measures must be implemented for conformity with the current safety standards, making the use of hearing protectors mandatory for electric chainsaws, too

Improved strength grading based on log and board measurements - review and outlook: the research project ReadIStrength.

Timber utilisation and wood construction are fundamental components of Europe's strategy on progressing towards a sustainable bio-based economy. Both components require optimised strength grading procedures in Europe's sawmills. To further improve the current procedures, quality assessment and segregation of the raw material need to start already at the roundwood stage. Furthermore, the quality information should be made accessible throughout the production process to leverage the full potential for optimisation. This paper discusses the current state of research on combined log and board strength grading with a focus on the situation in Europe. It highlights limitations due to technology and current standardisation and identifies knowledge gaps and research opportunities. The European research project READiStrength (resource-efficient and data-driven integrated log and board strength grading) has been initiated to address these issues.READiStrengt

Improved strength grading based on log and board measurements - review and outlook: the research project ReadIStrength.

Timber utilisation and wood construction are fundamental components of Europe's strategy on progressing towards a sustainable bio-based economy. Both components require optimised strength grading procedures in Europe's sawmills. To further improve the current procedures, quality assessment and segregation of the raw material need to start already at the roundwood stage. Furthermore, the quality information should be made accessible throughout the production process to leverage the full potential for optimisation. This paper discusses the current state of research on combined log and board strength grading with a focus on the situation in Europe. It highlights limitations due to technology and current standardisation and identifies knowledge gaps and research opportunities. The European research project READiStrength (resource-efficient and data-driven integrated log and board strength grading) has been initiated to address these issues.READiStrengt