Supply of timber and woody biomass products is highly reliant on nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners' willingness to harvest, particularly in areas of the country where they dominate ...forest ownership. In Missouri, NIPF landowners own about 78% of all forestlands, but it was 30 years ago when the last comprehensive analysis of their views and objectives was conducted. Results of a mail survey of NIPF landowners who possess at least 20 acres show that the majority of landowners in the state of Missouri continue to be recreation-oriented. However, we suggest a new typology (including proportions): Enthusiast (30%), Retreat (27%), Preservationist (24%), and Passive (19%) NIPF landowners. Analysis of reasons for owning woodlands suggests four latent factors: protection, privacy, production, and legacy objectives. Views toward the use of woody biomass for energy revealed a general support for bioenergy. Two latent factors behind NIPF landowners' views on woody biomass for energy were identified: bioenergy support and environmental impacts. About 32% of NIPF landowners would be willing to harvest 15 green tons/acre of woody biomass if they are paid at least $75/acre. A third of them indicated no willingness to harvest woody biomass regardless of price. The limited adoption of forest management plans, concerns over environmental impacts, and currently depressed prices hinder the supply of woody biomass materials for energy from Missouri NIPFs. PUBLICATIONABSTRACT
Understanding willingness to harvest (WTH) is essential to assessing the social availability of woody biomass from private land. Currently, the only economically feasible way to harvest woody biomass ...is in conjunction with sawlogs. We examined WTH sawlogs and woody biomass from owners of family forests using data from a survey of Missouri forest owners. While their WTH increased with revenue expected from woody biomass, revenue expected from sawlogs was a stronger influence. Incentive payments for woody biomass thus are unlikely to increase its supply, and the social availability of woody biomass will remain limited unless sawlog prices rise significantly.
Due to the recent encouragement for loggers to integrate tracked processors into their conventional harvest equipment regime in the Southeastern United States, this study aimed to provide loggers ...with an estimate of the additional productivity and operating costs that could be incurred. Since tracked processors have rarely been operated in this region, a comparison study was conducted to determine differences in productivity and operating costs between a less experienced operator versus a more experienced operator. The study indicated the less experienced operator was able to produce 67 green tonnes/hour while the more experienced operator produced 80 green tonnes/hour. Costs per tonne for the less experienced operator were approximately $\$ $2.18/tonne at the end of year 1 and decreased to $\$$1.92/tonne at the end of year 5, depicting a $\$$0.26/tonne difference within 5 years. The more experienced operator incurred costs of $\$ $1.82/tonne at the end of year 1 and $\$ $1.61/tonne at the end of year 5 for a total difference of $\$ $0.21/tonne. A sensitivity analysis demonstrated that extreme fluctuations in fuel or maintenance/repair prices had less than a $\$ $0.20 increase in the final cost/ tonne. An increase in production rates from 65 to 125 tonnes decreased the cost/tonne $\$ $0.90/tonne, and increasing utilization rates from 50% to 85% decreased the cost per tonne of the processor by $\$ $0.78 per tonne. These results indicated that operators should be less concerned with changes in fuel and maintenance costs and be more concerned with their production and utilization rates.
Today's landowners are faced with important decisions when establishing loblolly pine plantations in the Southeastern part of the United States with regards to planting dimensions and forest ...management techniques. Although recent studies are beginning to demonstrate the need for change from the old practices, suppressed biomass markets and prices are hindering the transition. This paper provided readers with an informational overview of the benefits of: incorporating an additional thinning regime for biomass, using alternate spacing methods such as Flexstands™ and rectangularity, and using small-scale harvesting machines for conducting initial thinning's. The overview was supported with both a field study as well as a modeling tool which verified using one or all of the above mentioned techniques to increase total harvest volumes while minimizing residual stand damage. The modeling tool determined that final sawtimber volumes were increased by a minimum of 15 green tons per acre using one or more of the above techniques. When expanding this volume out to 20 acres, the minimum tract size harvested in the southeast using convention equipment, landowners could easily recover any losses incurred from the suppressed biomass markets minimizing overall risk and promoting the use of these alternative techniques.
As demand for wood energy rises, it’s vital to understand the environmental impact of various harvest types, considering different best management practices (BMPs) and site conditions, for ...sustainable forest management. This study provides a comparative analysis of postharvest site characteristics between biomass and conventional harvest sites located in the Coastal Plain region of the southeastern US. A total of 30 recently harvest sites (15 each for biomass and conventional) were selected from the Coastal regions of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Erosion rates were estimated using the USLE-Forest method and ground cover was assessed as a percentage of the area covered by bare soil, litter, light slash, heavy slash, and piles. BMP implementation (%) was based on state-specific BMP surveys. The findings show that stream management zones (SMZs) and harvest areas were less prone to soil erosion, while forest roads, skid trails, and stream crossings were more prone to erosion, regardless of the harvest type. Conventional harvest sites had an overall weighted average erosion rate of 0.35 Mg/ha/year, with an average BMP implementation of 92.70 %, while biomass harvest sites had an overall weighted average erosion rate of 0.22 Mg/ha/year, with an average BMP implementation rate of 97.91 %. Average erosion rate (Mg/ha/year) from the harvest area (biomass=0.11, conventional=0.06) and SMZs (biomass=0.05, conventional=0.02) were not significantly different (p>0.05). Conversely, average erosion rate from roads (biomass=4.17, conventional=6.44), skid trails (biomass=2.15, conventional=3.73), decks (biomass=0.39, conventional=0.72), and stream crossings (biomass=1.53, conventional=5.31) were significantly higher in conventional harvest sites (p<0.05). BMP implementation rates for roads (biomass=98.09 %, conventional=93.71 %), stream crossings (biomass=95 %, conventional=71 %), and timber harvest (biomass=96.44 %, conventional=93.33 %) were significantly higher in biomass harvest sites, while waste management BMP (biomass=89.91 %, conventional=100 %) was significantly higher in conventional harvest sites. Regarding ground cover, conventional harvest sites had significantly larger areas covered by light slash, heavy slash, and piles than biomass harvest sites, while biomass harvest sites had significantly larger areas covered by green growth. Our research shows a significant negative correlation between overall BMP implementation and erosion rates (r=-0.67, p=0.0002), as well as site size (r=-0.38 p=0.0400), indicating that larger sites tend to have lower BMP implementation and increased erosion risk. In conclusion, biomass harvest sites in our study did not yield higher erosion rates in comparison to conventional harvest sites, provided that the current BMP recommendations were implemented properly and in adequate amounts. This study emphasizes the importance of site-specific management strategies to mitigate erosion in all harvest sites, irrespective of harvest type used.
•There is no significant difference in erosion rate between biomass and conventional harvest sites.•Conventional harvest sites exhibit a greater coverage of woody debris than biomass harvest sites.•Proper implementation of BMPs at both conventional and biomass harvest sites underscores water quality protection efforts.•A significant negative correlation exists between BMP implementation and erosion rate.
The Southern US has the potential to make a significant contribution to the global bioenergy market by producing woody biomass feedstock. Despite extensive research on the technical and economic ...aspects of biomass production in the Southeastern region, most studies didn't incorporate the social aspects of forest stakeholders. This study aimed to understand the perceptions of forest stakeholders toward biomass production, consumption, and overall biomass market conditions. We conducted online surveys of biomass producers and consumers using Qualtrics software and found that, on average, 30% of the total harvested volume was made up of small-diameter trees. The main reasons for harvesting biomass were improving the aesthetic value of the site, increasing total revenue, and diversifying the business. Trucking distance with an average haul distance of 84-140 km (one-way), limited local markets, equipment availability, machine and labor costs, and production costs were ranked as biomass producers' five major challenges. If there were more profitable options with better logistics, shorter transportation distances, and lower production costs, most of the producers (strongly agree = 56%, agree = 34%) would be willing to harvest more biomass. As for consumers, 80% of pellet producers, 33% of heat combustion plants, and only 14% of power combustion plants intend to expand biomass consumption over the next five years. Moreover, stakeholders' occupation type, tract size, length of ownership, years of consuming biomass, and consumption rate affect biomass production and consumption decisions.
Forest operations in the southeastern region of the United States has remained relatively unchanged since the inception of conventional mechanized equipment. As new technologies are developed, new ...operational techniques emerge that have the potential to replace today’s standard practices. While many of these practices have been studied elsewhere around the world, few have been researched for their applicability in the southeast.Three separate studies were conducted. The first used both a modeling tool as well as a field study to analyze altering establishment spacing, harvesting frequency, and harvesting machines to determine if an increase in sawtimber volumes were seen from these changes. Results depicted a minimum increase of 15 green tons per acre for sawtimber using one or more of the above-mentioned techniques for the modeling tool. The field study demonstrated an additional 10 green tons per acre of biomass material could be harvested by altering establishment spacing.The second assessed the prospective production and cost impacts of using tracked processors either in the woods in conjunction with conventional harvesting equipment or on a centralized logging depot where one processor would merchandize trees from a variety of tracts and logging contractors. The study also compared the potential production rate differences between experienced operators versus inexperienced operators. Results showed that at the end of the machines depreciated life, year 5, a logger could expect to pay $1.93 per green ton to own and operate the processor. At the end of year 10, the typical life of the machine, they would expect to pay $1.75 per green ton. Overall, the experienced operator produced 14 additional green tons per productive machine hour compared to the inexperienced operator.The final study evaluated the differences in total stem value when merchandizing with a tracked processor versus a knuckle-boom loader. Results determined when diameter and total lengths were visually estimated, a significant difference in total value occurred, however, once these two variables were adjusted to match the tracked processors more accurate measurements, no difference in value was seen even though there was still a difference in how the wood was merchandized.
Using tracked processors over knuckle–boom loaders to increase total value per tree when merchandizing timber on the landing has become a topic of interest in the southeastern region of the United ...States. This study compared merchantability values, product classes, and product weights of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) for both machines to determine if there was a significant difference between machines when processing the same tree. In order to process the same tree twice, the chains from the tracked processor had to be removed from the bottom saw bar. This allowed the processor to simulate the merchandising process without actually marking or cutting the tree for a more realistic comparison. Data were analyzed using paired t–tests and two–way ANOVA models. Results depicted that when diameter and total lengths are visually estimated by the knuckle–boom loader. A significant difference in value occurs, however, once diameter and total length are modified to match the tracked processors for more accurate measurements, no difference in value was seen. These results demonstrate that until mill specifications become more stringent, there is little incentive for loggers to purchase a tracked processor if their only motivation is to increase merchantability values.
Human Dimensions / Recreation and Ecotourism Billingham, Rachel; Daniel, Marissa Jo; Aguilar, Francisco ...
Journal of forestry,
12/2011, Letnik:
109, Številka:
8
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Abstract
8With the current state of the economy and the budget woes found in everyone's workplace, every extra dollar we can use to offset the cost of projects counts—and what if those extra dollars ...came with public relations opportunities at no cost to you? For the last several years, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry has cultivated relationships with a variety of non-traditional partners. These relationships have not only provided additional funds for tree planting projects through our TreeVitalize program, but have also provided fantastic public relations exposure and access to new audiences. Come hear how we used a “win-win” approach with our new partners and be inspired to try some of these ideas in your “neck of the woods.”
Understanding willingness to harvest (WTH) is essential to assessing the social availability of woody biomass from private land. Currently, the only economically feasible way to harvest woody biomass ...is in conjunction with sawlogs. We examined WTH sawlogs and woody biomass from owners of family forests using data from a survey of Missouri forest owners. While their WTH increased with revenue expected from woody biomass, revenue expected from sawlogs was a stronger influence. Incentive payments for woody biomass thus are unlikely to increase its supply, and the social availability of woody biomass will remain limited unless sawlog prices rise significantly.
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