Metla Project 3260

Development of peatland harvesting

[  Suomeksi  |  Objectives  |  Results  |  Project leader  |  Researchers  |  Publications  |  Metla Research  ]

Duration: 1999-2003   Keywords: harvesting, harvesting trace, peatlands, thinnings
Research Program: Ecologically and economically sustainable forestry on drained peatlands

Objectives

The aim of the study is to increase knowledge concerning the peatland harvesting alternatives and to study the total economy of peatland harvesting. The total economy includes both harvesting costs and the costs caused by strip roads, tree and soil damage. The study material consists of large material concerning peatland harvesting productivity, costs as well as silvicultural harvesting results and their consequences.

Also new machine concepts are studied. A harvester-forwarder carrying out both cutting and forwarding is an interesting alternative for peatland harvesting. Also thinning harvesters and other less capital intensive machines are worth studying on peatlands, where the high capacity of expensive machinery cannot be totally utilized.

Harvesting conditions and possibilities for their improvement are also studied. Good knowledge of harvesting conditions is important, when harvesting alternatives are compared. Possibilities for the improvement of harvesting conditions are studied by using the forest planning information in digital form and by studying the willingness of forest owners for co-operation.

Results

Solutions for problems of peatland and first thinning harvesting have been seeked from small one-grip harvesters and harvester-forwarders. A harvester-forwarder is a machine carrying out both cutting and forwarding. Small one-grip harvester - forwarder harvesting chain and harvester-forwarder have been cost competitive with widely used medium-sized harvester chain. With small one-grip harvesters a cutting strip method with longer forwarding strip distance can be recommended in pine stands with varying tree quality, when both harvesting costs and silvicultural losses of harvesting damage are involved in costs calculations.

Harvesting conditions in first thinnings are difficult, but the variation between stands is large. The average removals per hectare are lower in peatland than in mineral soils. Concentrated harvesting improves the harvesting conditions. In tree energy wood harvesting the advantages of concentrated harvesting are larger in small wood harvesting than in clear cuttings

Project leader: Siren, Matti
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Unit, PL 18, 01301 Vantaa
Phone: +358 10 211 2335 Telefax: +358 10 211 2203
E-mail: matti.siren@metla.fi

Other researchers: Ahtikoski, Anssi, MU (2002-04), Heikkilä, Jani, VA (2004), Hynynen, Jari, ES (2004), Kärhä, Kalle (2000-01), Lehtonen, Mika, VA (2003-04), Mäkinen, Pekka, VA (2001), Mäntynen, Erno (2000), Siipilehto, Jouni, VA (2000-02,2004), Stöd, Reeta (2001), Tanttu, Vesa (1999-2004)


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Updated 30.12.2006
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