Impact of Forest Harvesting Operations in Four Biogeographical Regions in Europe and Key Drivers for Future Development

Academic Background

With global climate change and shifts in forest management philosophies, the environmental, economic, and social impacts of forest harvesting operations have garnered increasing attention. Forest management in Europe varies significantly across different biogeographical regions (e.g., boreal, continental, alpine, and Mediterranean), and the selection and application of harvesting systems are influenced by regional conditions. To better understand the performance of different harvesting systems (e.g., harvester-forwarder systems, chainsaw-skidder systems, and chainsaw-cable yarder systems) in terms of environmental impact, economic efficiency, ergonomics, social acceptance, and product quality optimization across European regions, researchers conducted this review study. The study aims to identify key drivers for the future development of forest harvesting operations and provide a scientific basis for sustainable forest management.

Source of the Paper

This paper was co-authored by Benjamin Engler, Gwendolin Hartmann, Piotr S. Mederski, and others, affiliated with institutions such as the University of Freiburg in Germany, Poznań University of Life Sciences in Poland, and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research in Switzerland. The paper was published online on August 2, 2024, in the journal Current Forestry Reports, titled Impact of Forest Operations in Four Biogeographical Regions in Europe: Finding the Key Drivers for Future Development.

Research Content and Key Findings

1. Research Objectives and Methods

The primary objective of the study was to analyze the environmental impact, economic efficiency, ergonomics, social acceptance, and product quality optimization of different harvesting systems across four biogeographical regions in Europe (boreal, continental, alpine, and Mediterranean) through a literature review and data integration. The study was based on 110 journal articles and 975 datasets, covering forest harvesting data from countries such as Estonia, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. The CADIMA tool was used for literature search and documentation management, and data were analyzed using Excel.

2. Distribution and Characteristics of Major Harvesting Systems

The study found that the harvester-forwarder system (HFW) dominates in boreal forests (99%) and is also prevalent in continental forests (72%). The chainsaw-cable yarder system (CCY) is most common in alpine regions (47%), while the chainsaw-skidder system (CSK) is widely used in Mediterranean (70%) and alpine regions (50%). The selection of different harvesting systems is influenced by factors such as terrain conditions, tree species composition, mechanization levels, and social acceptance.

3. Environmental Impact

The study highlighted that the environmental impact of forest harvesting operations is primarily reflected in greenhouse gas emissions and soil compaction. The HFW system has the lowest carbon emissions in boreal forests (2.84 kg CO2_eq/m³), while in alpine regions, due to complex terrain, harvesting operations have the highest carbon emissions (13.52 kg CO2_eq/m³). Soil compaction is a common issue in ground-based harvesting operations, especially when using heavy machinery. The study found that the HFW system causes the least soil disturbance, while the CSK system causes the most damage to soil.

4. Economic Efficiency

From an economic perspective, the HFW system is the most cost-effective in boreal and continental forests, while in alpine regions, the CCY system has the highest harvesting costs (average 97.5 euros/m³). The Mediterranean region has the lowest harvesting costs, primarily due to the low fixed costs of semi-mechanized operations. The study also found significant differences in harvesting costs among different tree species, with coniferous trees generally being less expensive to harvest than deciduous trees.

5. Ergonomics and Social Impact

In terms of ergonomics, the HFW system, due to its high level of mechanization, has the lowest accident rate (0.00010 accidents/1000 m³), while the CSK system and CCY system have higher accident rates (0.00045 accidents/1000 m³). The study also noted that forest harvesting operations provide significant employment opportunities in rural areas, but increased mechanization may lead to a reduction in jobs.

6. Key Drivers for Future Development

The study identified five key drivers for the future development of forest harvesting operations: - Increased environmental constraints: Declining soil bearing capacity due to climate change will limit the feasibility of ground-based harvesting operations. - Increased area of mixed forests: As forest management shifts toward mixed forests, the complexity of harvesting systems will increase. - Improved resource efficiency: With growing demand for wood, harvesting systems need to enhance resource utilization efficiency. - Reduced workforce: Due to an aging population and competition for skilled workers, the forestry workforce will face shortages. - Introduction of digital technologies: Digital technologies will improve the transparency of work processes and material flows.

Significance and Value of the Research

This study provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of forest harvesting operations across four biogeographical regions in Europe, revealing the performance of different harvesting systems in terms of environmental impact, economic efficiency, ergonomics, and social acceptance. The findings offer a scientific basis for forest managers and provide direction for the sustainable development of future forest harvesting operations. By identifying key drivers, the study offers important references for addressing climate change, improving resource efficiency, and promoting the application of digital technologies in forest operations.

Research Highlights

• Cross-regional comparison: The study systematically compares forest harvesting operations across four biogeographical regions in Europe for the first time, revealing the characteristics of harvesting systems and their environmental impacts in different regions.
• Multidimensional analysis: The study evaluates the performance of harvesting systems from multiple dimensions, including environmental impact, economic efficiency, ergonomics, and social acceptance, providing a comprehensive perspective.
• Future drivers: The five key drivers proposed by the study offer important guidance for the future development of forest harvesting operations, particularly in addressing climate change and promoting the application of digital technologies.

Conclusion

Through a literature review and data analysis, this study comprehensively assesses the current state of forest harvesting operations in four biogeographical regions in Europe and identifies key drivers for future development. The results provide valuable scientific insights for forest managers, policymakers, and researchers, contributing to the advancement of forest harvesting operations toward greater sustainability and efficiency.