Abstract Purpose of the Review The review synthesises current knowledge post-windstorm management in selected European countries order to identify gaps and guide future research. Recent Findings Despite differences forest ownership national regulations, experiences Europe converge at (1) need for mechanization post-windthrow ensure operator safety, (2) importance promote training optimise coordination between all actors involved disturbance (3) implement measures consolidate timber market...

Close-to-nature forestry (CNF) has a long tradition in European Alpine forest management, playing crucial role ensuring the continuous provision of biodiversity and ecosystem services, including protection against natural hazards. However, climate change is causing huge uncertainties about future applicability CNF region. The question arises as to whether current practices are still suitable for adapting forests impacts while also meeting increasing societal demands regarding forests, their...

Efficient forest operations are required for the provision of biodiversity and numerous ecosystem services, such as wood production, carbon sequestration, protection against natural hazards recreation. In countries, under difficult terrain conditions, costs management harvesting not covered by timber revenue. One possible option to increase cost-effectiveness forestry sector is application state-of-the-art extraction techniques, so-called best suitable methods. We present a case study from...

Abstract Purpose of the Review The application cut-to-length (CTL) technology for harvesting and processing timber from broadleaved tree species is a challenging process, due to thick branches, stem sweep, forks high wood density. objective this review was describe current state harvester use characterise effectiveness mechanised forest operations mixed stands in Europe, paying particular attention productivity product quality aspects. An additional aim identify greatest difficulties...

Properly planned skid trails form an important basis for sustainable timber production. They affect cost-effectiveness and the environmental impact of harvesting process to a large extent. Here, we conducted economic analysis understand trail planning generate initial model estimate time costs involved. We investigated in detail how is carried out practice, what required work, factors influence its performance. Through online survey 2022, asked practitioners Germany Switzerland about their...

Strategic long-term planning of mountain forests in the European Alps requires a balancing act between sustaining forest biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) mitigating disturbance risks, particularly under climate change. In this context, close-to-nature forestry (CNF) is considered an effective strategy to adapt change while BES. However, it remains unclear for management whether current CNF strategies sufficiently reduce forests’ predisposition climate-change-induced shifts...

Die prognostizierte Zunahme von extremen Störungsereignissen wie Borkenkäferbefall und Windwurf im Kontext des Klimawandels stellt die Schweizer Waldbewirtschaftung vor grosse Herausforderungen. Besonders betroffen sind fichtendominierte Gebirgswälder, grossflächig verbreitet häufig eine zentrale Schutzfunktion gegenüber Naturgefahren erfüllen. WSL erarbeitet zusammen mit der Praxis Grundlagen für Priorisierung Bewirtschaftung dieser Wälder unter dem Einfluss Störungen. Dazu werden räumliche...

Cable-based technologies have been a backbone for harvesting on steep slopes. The layout of single cable road is challenging because one must identify intermediate support locations and heights that guarantee structural safety operational efficiency while minimizing set-up dismantling costs. Our study objectives were to (1) develop an optimization approach designing the best possible given ground profile, (2) compare procedures between linearized nonlinear analyses structure (3) investigate...

Abstract Purpose of the Review The aim review was to better understand impacts dominant harvesting systems in Europe, namely harvester-forwarder ( HFW ), chainsaw-skidder CSK and chainsaw-cable yarder CCY ). Furthermore, we aimed learn how impact categories environment, economy, ergonomics, people society, quality optimization are related European biogeographical regions Boreal, Continental, Alpine, Mediterranean forests. Based on this, key drivers for future development forest operations...

Sustainable forest management plays a key role for biodiversity and the provisioning of ecosystem services (BES), including important service carbon sequestration climate change mitigation. Forest managers, however, find themselves in increasingly complex planning situation to balance often conflicting demands BES. To cope with this situation, prototype decision support system (DSS) strategic (long-term) at enterprise level was developed present project. The DSS applied three case study...

Abstract Efficient forest management, and wood production in particular, requires a road network of appropriate density bearing capacity. The affects the choice suitable extraction method length transport route from forest, while standard defines truck type that can be used. We evaluate network’s economic suitability for harvesting operations entire Swiss an area about 13,000 km 2 covering range topographies, based on National Forest Inventory’s (NFI) dataset. This dataset is information...

Cable-based technologies have been the backbone of forest management and harvesting on steep slopes for decades. The design a cable road is complex task. It essentially comprises identification start end points road, as well intermediate supports. With aim simplifying this process, we developed semi-automated tool (QGIS plugin SEILAPLAN) that easy intuitive to use. SEILAPLAN based mechanical assumptions structural analysis are »close-to-reality«, contains an algorithm checks all possible...

Cable yarding is the most commonly used technique for harvesting timber from steep terrain in central Europe. During planning process, one important task to define cable road layout. This means that technology and location must be specified a given parcel. Although managers minimize costs, it even more such work on forests reduces potential damage residual stand ensures environmental conditions remain suitable regeneration. However, current methods are geared only toward minimizing costs...

One of the classic operations problems in forest management is layout a harvesting system. This paper addresses design system areas characterized by steep slopes requiring cable-based harvesting. Layout optimization often involves numerous potential cable alignments and small number landings. In this we develop model that slope conditions found central Europe involve large landings alignments. addition extend existing work considering variable-length alternatives for each feasible alignment....

Wood fuel has become central in environmental policy and decision-making processes cross-sectoral areas. Proper consideration of different types woody biomass is fundamental forming energy transition decarbonization strategies. We quantified the development theoretical (TPs) sustainable (SPs) potentials wood from forests, trees outside residues waste Switzerland for 2020, 2035 2050. Ecological economic restrictions, timber market situations drivers future developments (area size, tree...

Despite relatively high road density in the forests of Switzerland, a large percentage that network does not fulfill best practice requirements. Before upgrading or rebuilding network, harvesting planners must first determine which areas have insufficient access. Traditional assessment methods tend to only report specific values such as density. However, those do identify exact parcels are inaccessible. Here, we present model assesses economic suitability each timbered parcel for...

Accurate georeferencing is essential if forest indicators, such as timber volume, are to be modelled and predicted area-wide by establishing a linkage between local inventories remote sensing data. Nevertheless, due inaccuracies in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements under closed canopy, determining the exact position of sample-plots inventory major challenge. In this study different methods were evaluated, each which designed improve co-registration field data inventory....