Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: R. Mousavi
Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
Title: Effect of log length on productivity and cost of Timberjack 450C skidder in the Hyrcanian forest in Iran
Abstract: This paper presents research results on the performance of the Timberjack 450C skidder in timber skidding at two working sites of broadleaved trees in mountainous conditions in the Hyrcanian forest. To evaluate the current skidding system in the Hyrcanian forest in northern Iran and possibility of finding out better techniques and group organization an empirical time study has been conducted. The elements of the skidding work phase were identified and 123 cycles were recorded for short-log and long-log method. The models for effective time consumption, total productivity and unit cost of skidding in short-log and long-log method were calculated. The time consumption and productivity of skidding depend on several variables such as distances and slope, number of logs per cycle and volume. The average load per cycle in short-log and long-log method was 2.77 m3 and 3.08 m3, the average one-way skidding distance was 380 and 497 m, the average slope was 18 and 20% in the short-log and long-log method, respectively. The average travel speeds of unloaded skidder were 5.74 km.h-1 and the average speeds of loaded skidder were 7.67 and 6.16 km.h-1 in short-log and long-log method, respectively. The average speeds of pulling the cable were 1.71 km.h-1, and of load winching 0.72 km.h-1 and 0.69 km.h-1. The average outputs in short-log and long-log method were 10.86, 11.11 m3.effective h-1. Results indicated that hourly costs of operation were higher for the short-log method than for the long-log method (12.69 vs.12.40 USD.m-3).
Keywords: Hyrcanian forest, skidding, Timberjack 450C, short-log method, long-log method
Journal: Journal of Forest Science
Pages: 473-482
Volume: 58
Issue: 11
Year: 2012
DOI: 10.17221/85/2011-JFS
File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/85/2011-JFS.html
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Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:58:y:2012:i:11:id:85-2011-JFS

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: J. Suchomel
Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Harvesting and Mechanisation, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
Author-Name: M. Gejdoš
Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Harvesting and Mechanisation, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
Author-Name: L. Ambrušová
Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Harvesting and Mechanisation, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
Author-Name: R. Šulek
Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Harvesting and Mechanisation, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen, Slovak Republic
Title: Analysis of price changes of selected roundwood assortments in some Central Europe countries
Abstract: The paper deals with the analysis of price changes of roundwood (spruce, fir and beech sawlog, fuelwood) and energy wood in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Austria during the period of 2008-+September 2011. At the beginning of the article, the authors identify the major factors influencing timber price trends such as legislation regarding technical standards for the quality grading of round wood, global economic recession, incidental felling and political influence. Consequently, detailed analysis of timber price changes in selected European counties is provided by means of line graphs. The results of the analysis revealed that demand for wood and wood products began to decrease in mid-2008. The most critical situation was in 2009, primarily in the softwood market, when prices bottomed out. However, recent trends indicate a gradual rise in timber prices. In the future, a slight increase of timber prices is expected, however other factors (such as economic development, lobbyist pressure, incidental felling and many others) may influence prices, which makes it difficult to predict their trend.
Keywords: timber prices, timber market, timber trade, sawlog, fuelwood, energy wood
Journal: Journal of Forest Science
Pages: 483-491
Volume: 58
Issue: 11
Year: 2012
DOI: 10.17221/98/2011-JFS
File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/98/2011-JFS.html
File-Format: text/html
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Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:58:y:2012:i:11:id:98-2011-JFS

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: T. Koňasová
Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Author-Name: I. Kuneš
Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Author-Name: M. Baláš
Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Author-Name: K. Millerová
Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Author-Name: V. Balcar
Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Strnady, Opočno Research Station, Opočno, Czech Republic
Author-Name: O. Špulák
Author-Workplace-Name: Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Strnady, Opočno Research Station, Opočno, Czech Republic
Author-Name: M. Drury
Author-Workplace-Name: National School of Forestry, University of Cumbria, United Kingdom
Title: Influence of limestone and amphibolite application on growth of Norway spruce plantation under harsh mountain conditions
Abstract: The results of a fifteen-year period of investigations conducted on Norway spruce in the upper plateau of the Jizerské hory Mts. were summarised. The objectives were to evaluate the growth performance of an experimental plantation under harsh environmental conditions and assess the effects of amendments as well as the influence of the forest site variability on growth performance and survival of young spruces. The following treatments were distinguished: (1) lower control, (2) limestone and (3) amphibolite treatments on a less exposed slope of the ridge and (4) upper control on a summit of the mountain ridge. Principle characteristics such as mortality rate, height, annual height increment, stem base diameter, crown diameter and nutritional status were summarized and evaluated. Significant differences between treatments were recorded in heights. The trees fertilized with amphibolite were significantly taller than the control ones in thirteen out of the fifteen evaluated years and the applied limestone improved heights in ten years out of the fifteen evaluated years. A positive effect of amphibolite treatment on stem base diameter was proved in three of the four assessed years and was persisting till 2007 (last measurement of this characteristic), the positive effect of limestone was lasting up to 2006. The considerable role of the site variability was apparent from a comparison between the upper and lower control although they were in a very close position to each other, growth increment of the spruces on the ridge was significantly lower. Temporarily lower N concentration was recorded in the fertilized treatments in comparison with their respective control. The concentration of P was low and decreased to the limit of deficiency in all treatments, P seems to be the most limiting macroelement in the area.
Keywords: Picea abies, forest soil, chemical amelioration, growth, nutrition
Journal: Journal of Forest Science
Pages: 492-502
Volume: 58
Issue: 11
Year: 2012
DOI: 10.17221/112/2011-JFS
File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/112/2011-JFS.html
File-Format: text/html
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Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:58:y:2012:i:11:id:112-2011-JFS

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: J. Foit
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
Title: Early-arriving saproxylic beetles developing in Scots pine stumps: effects of felling type and date
Abstract: A total of 320 Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) low stumps were analysed within two stands (one stand was thinned, and the other stand was subjected to clear-cut final felling) in the Drahanská Highlands in the Czech Republic. Each stand was divided into four parts, and the felling of each part was performed on different dates during 2006 (February, May, August and November). The fauna of early-arriving saproxylic beetles inhabiting the stumps was investigated by peeling the bark in two vegetation periods after the felling. A total of 17 species of beetles were found. The felling type and date affected the species composition of the recorded assemblages, with the felling date being considerably more important than the type. The species richness and diversity did not differ significantly between the felling types, but significant differences were found among the felling dates. Several associations of particular species with certain felling types or dates were also found.
Keywords: phloem- and wood-feeding beetles, thinning, final felling, month of felling
Journal: Journal of Forest Science
Pages: 503-512
Volume: 58
Issue: 11
Year: 2012
DOI: 10.17221/46/2012-JFS
File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/46/2012-JFS.html
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Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:58:y:2012:i:11:id:46-2012-JFS

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: A. Fallah
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran
Author-Name: N. Riahifar
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran
Author-Name: K. Barari
Author-Workplace-Name: Mazandaran Wood and Paper Industries, Sari, Iran
Author-Name: A. Parsakhoo
Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran
Title: Investigating the out-of-roundness and pith-off-centre in stems of three broadleaved species in Hyrcanian forests
Abstract: The out-of-roundness and pith-off-centre of Alnus subcordata, Acer velutinum and Quercus castaneifolia growing in Hyrcanian forests of Iran were investigated. Stem disks were cut from the breast height and stump height of felled trees in diameter classes of 20 cm to 90 cm. Results indicated that the pith eccentricity for Acer velutinum was significantly greater than that of Alnus subcordata and Quercus castaneifolia (P < 0.01). The pith-off-centre significantly increased with increasing stem diameter from 20 cm to 50 cm, while no significant difference were observed for pith-off-centre index from diameter class of 55 cm to 90 cm. The out-of-roundness in stems of Acer velutinum and Alnus subcordata was significantly greater than that of Quercus castaneifolia (P < 0.01). Moreover, out-of-roundness significantly decreased with increasing stem diameters from 20 cm to 45 cm except for 35 cm. There were no significant differences among diameter classes from 60 cm to 85 cm with respect to out-of-roundness. For all the species, the out-of-roundness and pith-off-centre at stump height were greater than those at breast height.
Keywords: stem diameter, felled trees, Alnus subcordata, Acer velutinum, Quercus castaneifolia
Journal: Journal of Forest Science
Pages: 513-518
Volume: 58
Issue: 11
Year: 2012
DOI: 10.17221/13/2012-JFS
File-URL: http://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/13/2012-JFS.html
File-Format: text/html
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Handle: RePEc:caa:jnljfs:v:58:y:2012:i:11:id:13-2012-JFS