Utilization of Image, LiDAR and Gamma-Ray Information to Improve Environmental Sustainability of Cut-to-Length Wood Harvesting Operations in Peatlands: A Management Systems Perspective

Teijo Palander,Kalle Kärhä

doi:10.3390/ijgi10050273

Teijo Palander, Kalle Kärhä

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi10050273

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Abstract

Forest industry corporations use quality management systems in their wood procurement operations. Spatial quality data are used to improve the quality of wood harvesting and to achieve environmental sustainability. Some studies have proposed new management systems based on LiDAR. The main aim of this study was to investigate how efficiently planning systems can select areas for wood harvesting a priori with respect to avoiding harvesting damage caused by forest machinery. A literature review revealed the possibility of using GISs, and case studies showed the criteria required to predict the required quality levels. Terrestrial LiDAR can be utilized in authorities’ quality control systems, but it is inefficient for preplanning without terrestrial gamma-ray data collection. Airborne LiDAR and gamma-ray information about forest soils can only be used for planning larger regions at the forest level because the information includes too much uncertainty to allow it to be used for planning in small-sized areas before wood harvesting operations involving wood procurement. In addition, airborne LiDAR is not accurate enough, even at the forest level, for the planning of wood procurement systems because wood harvesting remains challenging without field measurements. Therefore, there is a need for the use of manual ground-penetrating radar for determining the peat layer thickness and the depth to the groundwater table.

Highlights

In Finland, national wood resources can be used to replace raw fossil materials and decrease fuel consumption because the annual increase is larger than the decrease in the wood stock of forests
Wood procurement logistics will focus on a fast transition towards environmentally sustainable wood harvesting in peatlands, which will be part of the sustainability strategy adopted by forest industry corporations
In addition to the planning systems of authorities, this study investigates how efficiently GISs can select harvesting areas a priori for wood harvesting to procure wood by the forest industry, which is the unique contribution of this publication to the literature

Summary

Introduction

In Finland, national wood resources can be used to replace raw fossil materials and decrease fuel consumption because the annual increase is larger than the decrease in the wood stock of forests This situation has existed for about forty years, and it is a threat to the development of a viable carbon sink and its environmental balance [1,2]. The optimistic goals included in this strategy include the status of Finland as a carbon-neutral EU country in 2045 and the creation of a 100% carbon-neutral energy balance between production and consumption. Countries such as Finland can use forests as a source of energy, fuel and other carbonfree products [4].

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