Theoretical Approaches to Logging Trail Network Planning: Increasing Efficiency of Forest Machines and Reducing Their Negative Impact on Soil and Terrain

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Rudov, Sergej E.^{a; *} | Voronova, Anna M.^b | Chemshikova, Julia M.^c | Teterevleva, Elena V.^d | Kruchinin, Igor N.^e | Dondokov, Yurii Z.^f | Khaldeeva, Motrena N.^g | Burtseva, Irina A.^h | Danilov, Vyacheslav V.^e | Grigorev, Igor V.^g

Affiliations: [a] Department No 3, Military Academy of Communications named after Marshal of the Soviet Union S.M. Budyonny, Saint-Petersburg, K-64, Tikhoretsky Prospect, 3, 194064, Russian Federation | [b] Department of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics, Petrozavodsk State University, Republic of Karelia, Petrozavodsk, Lenin Avenue, 33, 185910, Russian Federation | [c] Department of Technologies and Machines of Timber Felling, Ukhta State Technical University, Republic of Komi, Ukhta, 13 Pervomayskaya St.,169300, Russian Federation | [d] Department of Electrification and Automation of Technological Processes, Ukhta State Technical University, Republic of Komi, Ukhta, ul. May Day, 13, 169300, Russian Federation | [e] Department of Transport and Road Construction, Ural State Forestry University, Ekaterinburg, Sibirskiytrakt Str., 37, 620100, Russian Federation | [f] Department of Operation of Road Transport and Car Service, Northeastern Federal University, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Yakutsk, Krasilnikova Street, d. 13, sq. 19, 677021, Russian Federation | [g] Department of Technology and Equipment of Forest Complex, FSBEI HE Yakut State Agricultural Academy, Yakutsk, Sergelyakhskoye Highway, 3rd km, House 3, 677000, Russian Federation | [h] Department of Parasitology and Epizootology of Animals, FSBEI HE Yakut State Agricultural Academy, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Yakutsk, Street Chkalova, d. 20, 677000, Russian Federation

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding Author. s_rudov@rambler.ru

Abstract: A good part of the forest that survived active logging during the previous period of industrialization is now in remote areas: on steep slopes, in waterlogged or permafrost areas. There, especially on the slopes, the use of land disproportionately affects ecological processes, specifically hydrological (e.g., peak waves, suspended load, etc.). Organizing off-trail transport of log timber under such conditions is a challenge associated with specific difficulties. Almost any cutting area has sites of different capacity (stand volume per ha), which require the use of high flotation machines and have habitats that cannot be disturbed. The frequency of trips to cutting areas increases with the stand volume in these areas, but there are areas that machines have to drive round. Areas with weak soils need forest machines to carry less weight or to use additional attachments to hold the load. Unfavourable grades need the bundle to be limited in weight to maintain the tractive effort of a skidder. Because this activity is carried out with a high impact on ecology, it calls for a mathematical model and technique to evaluate logging routes and to assess the impact that logging activities have on the forest soil and subsoil and on the forest in general. This paper is devoted to the creation and justification of such a technique and offers an algorithm for careful forest use and forest-friendly logging.

Keywords: Cutting area, soil and subsoil, ecology, environmentally friendly forest exploitation, ecological efficiency

DOI: 10.3233/AJW190049

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 61-75, 2019