Selected Environmental Impacts of Forest Harvesting Operations with Varying Degree of Mechanization

Eric R Labelle,Kevin J Lemmer

doi:10.5552/crojfe.2019.537

Eric R Labelle, Kevin J Lemmer

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2019.537

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Abstract

Climate change affects forest ecosystems, impacting timber production and eco-services. Conversely, sustainable forest management has been identified as a means to help mitigate carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas and contributor to climate change, while also maximizing multiuse benefits through close-to-nature silviculture. In this study, a life cycle assessment was performed on forest harvesting operations at three research sites to provide real-world understanding of the selected environmental impacts associated with harvesting systems typical of Germany: motor-manual (chainsaw and forest tractor), semi-mechanized (single-grip harvester, chainsaw, and forwarder), and fully-mechanized (single-grip harvester and forwarder). Environmental impact categories assessed included greenhouse gas emissions, particulate matter emissions, and non-renewable energy consumption. Results from the three research sites were estimated on a machine basis. The semi-mechanized system resulted in the lowest environmental impact, the majority of which was attributed to felling and processing operations. Next, the environmental impacts were estimated for a complete rotation period and compared amongst the different harvesting systems. According to results, semi-mechanized harvesting systems had the lowest impact over the full rotation period as well as for thinning treatments when compared to motor-manual and fully-mechanized systems. The fully-mechanized system performed the best for final felling treatments. Considering variability between the research sites as well as the system boundary assessed, a diversified approach to harvesting operations may be considered, integrating semi-mechanized and fully-mechanized systems for different treatments throughout the rotation period.

Highlights

The FAO provides estimates highlighting the benefits of wood for material and energy uses, with nearly 483 million tonnes of CO2equivalent (CO2-eq.) emissions avoided annually via substitution effects through the use of wood-based building materials, and 25 million tonnes of CO2-eq emissions avoided by burning wood at the end of life instead of fossil fuels (FAO 2016)
The goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of the environmental impacts associated with three forest harvesting systems of increasing mechanization performed under CTN management
This study focused on timber harvesting operations, including felling, processing, and extraction from the stand to forest road, using three different harvesting systems

Summary

Introduction

With forest ecosystems storing more than 80% of terrestrial aboveground carbon and more than 70% of soil organic carbon, forests can serve as a mitigating agent for increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere, a greenhouse gas (GHG) contributing to climate change (Routa et al 2011). Wood is making a revival both as an energy fuel (BMELV 2011a) and in engineered products, substituting non-renewable resources. Technology and the potential for negative environmental impacts associated with wood for energy and product substitution had limited implementation; Croat. 40(2019) modifications to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) accounting for carbon in wood products has shifted perceptions toward wood as a suitable substitute for more energy intensive materials (FAO 2016). With regard to forestry, forest management is recommended as the best climate change mitigating strategy J. Lemmer Selected Environmental Impacts of Forest Harvesting Operations with Varying ... Lemmer Selected Environmental Impacts of Forest Harvesting Operations with Varying ... (239–257)

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