Helicopter Logging Method for Reduced Impact Timber Harvesting Operations*
Abstract
Traditional timber harvesting methods can result in serious impacts on vegetation structures, soil properties, and biodiversity in forested areas. Helicopter logging provides important advantages of implementing environmentally friendly harvesting techniques. However, the cost of helicopter logging can be much higher than that of ground-based logging due to high equipment costs, maintenance costs, the cost of flight crew, and fuel costs. Thus, the helicopter logging operation should be carefully planned to implement cost effective and environmentally friendly logging operations. In this study, the stages of helicopter logging and operational factors were first described, and then the operation cost, environmental concerns, and safety practices in helicopter logging were discussed. It can be concluded that the helicopter logging can be effectively used for extraction of timbers especially from environmentally sensitive areas where road construction and logging operations are restricted. In fact, helicopter logging may be the only option to solve timber extraction problems in difficult terrains with steep slope.
Keywords
References
- Akay, A.E., Acar, H.H., Sessions, J. 2008. An Analysis of Utilizing Helicopter Logging in Turkish Forestry. Journal of Applied Sciences. 8(21): 3910-3916.
- Aust, M.W. and A. Lea, 1992. Comparative effects of aerial and ground logging on soil properties in a tupelo-cypress wetland. For. Ecol. Mgt.50:57-73.
- BCTS, 2009. Operating Guidelines. Guidelines for Helicopter Logging in Northwest British Columbia. 10 p.
- Bruce B., 2003. Helicopter Logging’s Bumpy Ride. Using helicopters to thin forests instead of fighting fires. Journal of Logging & Sawmills. Timber West. July-August 2003.
- Chua D., 2001. Helicopter harvesting in the hill mixed dipterocarp forests of Sarawak. Applying Reduced Impact Logging to Advance Sustainable Forest Management. International Conference Proceedings, 26 February-1 March 2001, Kuching, Malaysia.
- Dunham, M. 2006. An Overview of Helicopter Logging in British Columbia. 2006. Council on Forest Engineering (COFE) Conference Proceedings: “Working Globally – Sharing Forest Engineering Challenges and Technologies Around the World” July 22-Aug 2, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA.
- Hartsough, B.R., M.B. Lambert, and J.A. Miles, 1986. Simulating changes to helicopter logging operations. Transactions of the ASAE. 29(5):1228-1231.
- Heinimann, H.R. and L. Caminada, 1996. Helicopter logging in Switzerland, analysis of selective logging operations. In: I.B. Hedin. [Ed.] Proc. of a Joint Symp. of IUFRO 3.06 Forest Operations Under Mountainous Conditions and the 9th Pacific Northwest Skyline Symposium: Addressing Today´s Social and Environmental Issues. May 13-16, 1996, Campbell River, British Columbia. For. Eng. Res. Inst. Can. Spec. Rep. SR-116: pp 45-50.
- Hui, K. 2001. Helicopter harvesting in the hill mixed dipterocarp forests of Sarawak. Applying Reduced Impact Logging to Advance Sustainable Forest Management. International Conference Proceedings, 26 February-1 March, Kuching, Malaysia.
- Krag, R.K. and M. Clark, 1996. Helicopter logging in clearcut, patch-cut, and single-tree selection harvests: Queens Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. In: J. Sessions [Ed.]. Proc. IUFRO XX World Congress, Subject Group S3.06 "Forest Operations Under Mountainous Conditions". Dept. For. Eng., Oregon State University, Corvallis: pp. 54-72.
