CONES - a computer based multiple criteria decision support tool for optimizing silvicultural and harvest operations in steep terrain
Abstract
Timber harvesting operations under steep terrain conditions rely on cable yarding systems which have proven to be an adequat hauling means. However, to cover the costs of installation substantial timber volumes are to be harvested per stand entry. Therefore a "classical" and widely applied silvicultural approach to minimize direct harvesting costs are strip cuts or clear cuts. However, this approach bears several disadvantages: (i) in most cases this approach requires subsequent expensive artificial regeneration, (ii) does not meet the requirements of a multiple purpose forestry where forests have to serve other societal needs beyond timber production such as protecting infrastructure and settlements from natural hazards like avalanches, mud flow and torrents, or providing sustained yield of high quality water resources, and preventing fragile mountain sites from soil erosion. (iii) As a further disadvantage of homogenizing stand entries the future growth potential of individual trees can not be utilized in an optimal way. Close to nature forestry with single stem and group selection systems attempts to balance these involved objectives. Decision making about harvesting and natural regeneration of forest stands in steep terrain with cable yarding system requires the consideration of three sub-processes to optimize the overall utility of an operation: (1) What is the best silvicultural strategy ? (e.g., type and intensity of entry), (2) Which is the best suitable timber harvesting system? (3) What is the optimal location of the skyline trails? In the CONES project ("Computergestützte Planung von Nutzungeingriffen im Seilgelände") we aim at the development of a decision support tool (DSS) to assist the forester on site in compromising silvicultural and harvest operations. The prototype of the decision support tool will be implemented on a high-end notebook using available softare packages such as ArcView and MSAccess.
www.springerlink.comProject staff
Manfred Josef Lexer
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing.Dr.nat.techn. Manfred Josef Lexer
mj.lexer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91316
Project Leader
01.04.2001 - 30.12.2004
Hubert Dürrstein
Univ.-Prof. i.R. Dipl.-FW.Dr. Hubert Dürrstein
hubert.duerrstein@boku.ac.at
Project Staff
01.04.2001 - 30.12.2004
Eduard Hochbichler
Ao.Univ.-Prof.i.R. Dipl.-Ing.Dr.nat.techn. Eduard Hochbichler
eduard.hochbichler@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91321
Project Staff
01.04.2001 - 30.12.2004
Karl Stampfer
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing.Dr.nat.techn. Karl Stampfer
karl.stampfer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91001, 91501, 91511
Sub Projectleader
01.04.2001 - 30.12.2004
Harald Vacik
ao.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing.Dr.nat.techn. Harald Vacik
harald.vacik@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-91312
Project Staff
01.04.2001 - 30.12.2004
BOKU partners
External partners
Oesterreichische Bundesforste AG
none
partner
Funder
