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Using wood for power generation necessitates a more efficient production chain in the various steps: harvesting, forwarding, storage, chipping, transport, and conversion systems. In this context, the moisture content (MC) of wood can impact the harvesting operation, the volume to be chipped, the transportation of raw materials, the storage time, and other factors, thereby influencing the economic aspects of the chain. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the influence of wood moisture content on the yield and costs of different forest operation chains for power generation in São Paulo State, Brazil. Our findings reveal that harvesting and forest transport are the primary cost components (over 80%) in the supply chains under study. We observed a difference of up to 17.6% in the unit cost of the energy generated among the studied supply chains. In economic and sustainable terms, our results suggest that logs should be stored in the field for three to four months and the transport distance to the power plant should not exceed 100 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-forest drying of roundwood and biomass (residues) can result in more efficient transport operations from an economical and environmental perspective. On the negative side, in-forest drying may result in dry matter losses (DML), impacting the quantity and quality of residues delivered to energy plants. This paper investigated the impact of roundwood and residues in-forest drying and DML on supply chain costs and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. For the assessment, a short-term optimization planning tool was applied to a supply chain located in Asturias, Spain, consisting of fourteen supply points and two demand points: A pulp mill (demanding roundwood) and a power plant (demanding residues). Four scenarios were included in the analysis comprising different combinations of DML for roundwood and residues resulting from in-forest drying. Our results indicate that in scenarios that include in-forest drying and DML, the negative economic effects are offset by the substantial reductions in transport costs and GHG emissions. In-forest drying of roundwood and residues without DML can result in a 6.5% reduction in supply chain costs, 14.9% fewer truckloads to destination points, and 18.1% less fuel consumption and GHG emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree morphological characteristics, particularly straightness and lean, significantly influence the value of the commercial products that can be obtained. Despite this, they are not usually evaluated in timber field inventories because traditional techniques are labor-intensive and largely subjective, hence the use of these parameters is limited to research and genetic breeding programs. Here, a non-destructive, fully automated methodology is presented that estimates the parameters for describing straightness and lean using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data. It is based on splitting stems into evenly spaced sections and estimating their centers, which are then used to automatically calculate the maximum sagitta, sinuosity, and lean of each tree. The methodology was applied in a breeding trial plot of Pinus pinaster, and the results obtained were compared with field measurements of straightness and lean based on visual classification. The methodology is robust to errors in the estimation of section centers, the basis for calculating shape parameters. Besides, its accuracy compares favorably with traditional field techniques, which often involve problems of misclassification. The new methodology is easy to use, less expensive, and overcomes the drawbacks of traditional field techniques for obtaining straightness and lean measurements. It can be modified to apply to any species and stand typology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of the manipulation of plantation stocking density on individual tree size can affect final harvest costs and machine productivity. This paper investigated the impact of four early-age thinning treatments applied to a Eucalyptus globulus Labill. pulplog plantation in south-west Western Australia on economic profitability and harvester productivity. Eighteen sample plots were randomly laid out in the study area. The nominal 700, 500, and 400 stems per hectare (sph) plots were thinned to waste 3.2 years after establishment while the nominal 1000 sph (UTH) plots were left unthinned. The economic analysis showed that all thinning treatments resulted in a lower Land Expectation Value (LEV) and net financial loss over the full rotation at their theoretical optimal rotation age when compared with the unthinned control treatment. Tree growth and form were positively impacted by thinning. However, associated reductions in harvesting costs were less than the value losses resulting from reduced per hectare yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanized timber harvesting is cost efficient and highly productive. However, mechanized harvesting operations are often associated with several environmental problems, including soil compaction and disturbance. Soil compaction impedes air circulation between the soil and atmosphere, which in turn results in increased concentrations of CO2 within soil pores. In this study, we investigated the impact of forest machine traffic on soil conditions to determine soil CO2 efflux (Fc), and soil CO2 concentrations (Sc). Field measurements included soil bulk density (BD), soil temperature (ST), soil water content (SWC), Fc, and Sc over a 3-year period at a specific thinning operation site (Hwacheon-gun) in the Gangwon Province of Korea. To assess the soil impacts associated with machine traffic, we established four machine-treatment plots (MT) characterized by different geographical and traffic conditions. The results revealed that BD, Sc, and SWC increased significantly on the disturbed track areas (p < 0.05). Furthermore, reduced soil Fc values were measured on the soil-compacted (machine disturbed) tracks in comparison with undisturbed (control) areas. Variations in BD, SWC, and Sc were significantly different among the four MT plots. Additionally, in comparison with undisturbed areas, lower Fc and higher Sc values were obtained in compacted areas with high soil temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On an international comparison basis, Australia's utilisation of forest residues remains very low. While there are numerous factors contributing to this low utilisation, this is greatly explained by the limited timely and accurate data on availability, quality, and location of residues generated during harvesting operations. This manuscript reports on the development and testing of a new freeware tool called FIELD (Forest Inventory Electronic Live Data), which supports the real-time monitoring and estimation of forestry harvesting residues. As inputs, FIELD uses StanForD pri files and geo-location data extracted from the harvester's onboard computer in combination with locally developed species-specific allometric equations. Using a case study, this paper describes how FIELD works operationally and illustrates the range of support features that the tool can provide to decision-makers by producing real-time data on the availability, quality, and location of harvesting residues. In addition, it is discussed how the tool can contribute to supporting decisions during forest operations associated with the feasibility of residue utilisation in specific site conditions. Our results show that it is possible to estimate the availability of harvesting residues at geo-located sites dynamically, although further testing of the tool is required for a more accurate estimation and monitoring of harvesting residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the Korean Emission Trading System in The Forestry Sector (KETSF) initiative, the Korean government has developed several greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction programs that include forestry activities as cornerstones of the initiative. Forest management is deemed to be a major strategy to implement KETSF; this has been confirmed by most participants in the program, who have shown their preference for forest management projects as the most effective and encouraging strategy to participate in the KETSF program. For a successful implementation of KETSF projects, it is essential to explore methods that optimize the positive impacts of such strategies, thereby maximizing the economic returns and carbon stocks that result from the implementation of forest management activities. Thus, this study investigated the economic returns of several KETSF projects in Korea, which included simulated scenarios under two main forest management strategies, one based on an extension of the rotation age, and a second one based on reforestation with new species. Five forest management scenarios were examined and evaluated in their ability to maximize carbon stocks and economic returns. Based on the results, two scenarios were identified as the best KETSF projects in terms of carbon stock increments. Additionally, the results indicated that projects including reforestation with new species added more economic value than projects that considered an extension of the rotation age. The study also revealed that KETSF projects generated revenue in both scenarios, by either extending the rotation age or by implementing reforestation with new species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying the impact of carbon (C) and timber prices on harvest scheduling and economic returns is essential to define strategies for the sustainable management of short-rotation plantations so that they can provide timber products and contribute to C sequestration. In this paper, we present a mixed-integer linear programming model that optimizes harvest scheduling at the forest level, C sequestration, and Net Present Value (NPV) over a planning period of up to 15 years. The model included revenue from the sale of timber (pulplogs) and credits from the net C sequestered during the life of the stands. In addition, plantation establishment, management, harvesting, and transportation costs were included in the analysis. The study area comprised 88 Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill and Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden stands located in Uruguay, totaling a forest area of nearly 1882 ha. The study investigated the impact of C and timber prices on NPV, harvest schedules, stands' harvest age, timber flows to customers, and C sequestered per period. The maximum NPV among all the scenarios evaluated (USD 7.53 M) was calculated for a C price of 30 USD t−1, an interest rate of 6%, and a timber price of 75 USD m−3. This was USD 2.14 M higher than the scenario with the same parameters but that included only revenue from timber. C prices also impacted stands' harvest age, C sequestration, and timber flows delivered to end customers. On average, in scenarios that included C prices, timber flows and C sequestration increased by 15.4 and 12.1%, respectively, when C price increased from 5 to 30 USD t−1. These results demonstrate that harvest scheduling, harvest age, and NPV are very sensitive to C and timber, and that the best economic returns are obtained when the stands are managed to maximize timber production and C sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the issue of the colour tones of wood and furniture products. The main aim is to identify the supply of the colour tones of wood and furniture products and to map the interest in these wood colour tones at potential customers in Slovakia. By means of two independent surveys of supply and demand for colour tones of wood and furniture products, various shortcomings have been identified. It is necessary to increase the supply of wood and furniture products with the natural colour of the wood and at the same time in colour tones of grey, white and brown. The current demand for thermowood and modified alder wood is significantly higher than the supply of such products in the Slovak market. The results of the study represent an opportunity for Slovak woodworking and furniture enterprises to adjust their range of products according to the needs of potential customers, which will bring them higher turnover and help to overcome the current problems associated with the "COVID crisis". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia's large potential forest bioenergy resource is considerably underutilised, due largely to its high delivered costs. Drying forest biomass at the roadside can potentially reduce its delivered cost through weight reduction and increased net calorific value. There has been little research on the impact of roadside drying for Australian conditions and plantation species. This study compared delivered costs for three forest biomass types—Eucalyptus globulus plantation whole trees and logging residue (LR)-disaggregated (LR conventional) or aggregated (LR fuel-adapted)—and three roadside storage scenarios—no storage, ≤two-month storage and optimal storage—to supply a hypothetical thermal power plant in south-west Western Australia. The study was performed using a tactical linear programming tool (MCPlan). Roadside storage reduced delivered costs, with optimal storage (storage for up to 14 months) producing the lowest costs. Delivered costs were inversely related to forest biomass spatial density due to transport cost reductions. Whole trees, which had the highest spatial density, stored under the optimal storage scenario had the lowest delivered costs (AUD 7.89/MWh) while LR conventional, with the lowest spatial density, had the highest delivered costs when delivered without storage (AUD 15.51/MWh). For both LR types, two-month storage achieved ~60% of the savings from the optimal storage scenario but only 23% of the savings for whole trees. The findings suggested that roadside drying and high forest biomass spatial density are critical to reducing forest biomass delivered costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of mobile optoelectronic graders for separating viable seeds by spectrometric properties with high detection accuracy represents a very relevant direction of development for seed handling operations. Here, the main parameters of the radiation source and receiver for detecting a single seed in the diagnostic system of a mobile grader were modeled based on the principles of technical optics using Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) seeds as a case study. Among the pine seeds in the seed batch, there are fossilized and empty seeds that are exactly the same in geometric and gravitational parameters as live seeds. For their separation from the seed batch, data from spectrometric studies in the near-infrared (980 nm) region can be used. To substantiate the parameters of the light source, a geometric optical model of optical beam formation was considered, while the energy model of optical beam formation was considered to substantiate the parameters of the light detector. The results of this study show that the signal value depended on the orientation of a single seed relative to the recording window. The beam angle from the radiation source should be within 45 degrees. The difference between the optical streams should be 50 microns, which made it possible to clearly detect the signal at a standard noise level of 15 microns and signal-to-noise detection accuracy ratio of 56.3 dB. This study expands theoretical knowledge in the field of the spectrometric properties of a single seed, considering the cases of its orientation relative to the optical beam, which affected the effective area of detection of the seed. The obtained data on the location of the main elements of the diagnostic system will speed up the design of mobile optoelectronic graders, and the development of a contemporary protocol for improving Scots pine seed quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a part of the renewable energy cycle, forest biomass resources are considered to be important renewable materials and energy sources in many countries. It is evident from international and local research into forest biomass utilization that several challenges must be addressed to ensure logging waste can be transformed into material of commercial value. Several logistical and supply chain challenges have already been identified, including uncertainty about the nature, amount, and quality of forest residues. In this context, this paper presents a summary review of estimation methods and techniques for managing forest and woody residue along the timber supply chain. The review examines both the opportunities and the challenges evident in the international forest residue estimation methods within each supply chain for primary and secondary forest resources. The review also discusses techniques for supply chain and management planning and highlights the limitations of existing information and communication technology (ICT) implemented for forest biomass research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationally forest biomass is considered to be a valuable renewable energy feedstock. However, utilization of forest harvesting residues is challenging because they are highly varied, generally of low quality and usually widely distributed across timber harvesting sites. Factors related to the collection, processing and transport impose constraints on the economic viability of residue utilization operations and impact their supply from dispersed feedstock locations. To optimize decision-making about suitable locations for biomass energy plants intending to use forest residues, it is essential to factor in these supply chain considerations. This study conducted in Tasmania, Australia presents an investigation into the integration of Multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and Geographical Information systems (GIS) to identify optimal locations for prospective biomass power plants. The amount of forest harvesting biomass residues was estimated based on a non-industrial private native resource model in Tasmania (NIPNF). The integration of MCA and a GIS model, including a supply chain cost analysis, allowed the identification and analysis of optimal candidate locations that balanced economic, environmental, and social criteria within the biomass supply. The study results confirm that resource availability, land use and supply chain cost data can be integrated and mapped using GIS to facilitate the determination of different sustainable criteria weightings, and to ultimately generate optimal candidate locations for biomass energy plants. It is anticipated that this paper will make a contribution to current scientific knowledge by presenting innovative approaches for the sustainable utilization of forest harvest residues as a resource for the generation of bioenergy in Tasmania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]