Estimating Availability of Logging Residue using Forest Management Data at Aggregated Stands of the Takahara Area of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

Year 2015, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 69 - 83, 31.12.2015

Kazuhiro Aruga , Ryo Uemura

Abstract

With the endpoint of
securing a steady supply of logging residue, this study projects the supply
potential and availability of logging residue by using 2005–2011 forest
management records and 2012–2016 forest management plans for the Takahara area of
Tochigi prefecture, Japan. Forest management plans do not list thinning methods
(such as those of a precommercial or commercial variety); therefore, the
relationship between stand ages and commercial thinning operation rates is
analyzed using forest management records, and commercial thinning rates are
estimated with stand ages. Trends vis-à-vis supply potential and logging
residue availability between 2005 and 2016 are examined: the supply potential
of logging residue from precommercial thinning operations significantly
increased between 2009 and 2010, on account of a new tax levied in April 2008;
on the other hand, a steady supply of logging residue is projected by using
forest management plans. In forest management plans, it is assumed that
precommercial and commercial thinning operations are conducted within the same
subcompartments. Therefore, the profitability of subcompartments can be
improved with commercial thinning operations, and the available logging residue
amounts from precommercial thinning operations are estimated in forest
management plans. Meanwhile, no available logging residue amounts from
precommercial thinning operations are estimated through the use of forest
management records. The available logging residue amounts of aggregated stands
are increased; by aggregating stands, the stand areas can be increased to more
than 6 ha and be made profitable, even with longer forwarding distances.

Keywords

Available amount, Forest management plan, Forest management record, Logging residue, Subsidy, Supply potential

References

• Yamaguchi, R., Aruga, K., Murakami, A., Nakahata, C., Saito, M. and Nagasaki, M., 2014b. Effects of stand conditions on annual availability of logging residue estimated using forest management records in Tochigi prefecture, Japan. FORMATH 13: 20–40.
• Zenkoku Ringyo Kairyo Fukyu Kyokai, 2001. Management of Forestry Mechanization. Zenkoku Ringyo Kairyo Fukyu Kyokai, Tokyo (in Japanese).409: 14 (in Japanese).
• Yamaguchi, R., Aruga, K., Nagasaki, M., 2014a. Estimating the annual supply potential and availability of timber and logging residue using the forest management records of the Tochigi prefecture, Japan. J. For. Res. 19: 22–33.
• Uemura, R., Aruga, K., Kanetsuki, K., 2015. Estimating availability of logging residues using forest management records at aggregated stands of Nasushiobara city in Tochigi prefecture, Japan. FORMATH 14: 40–52.
• Uemura, R., Aruga, K., Tasaka, T., 2013. Estimating the annual supply potential and availability of timber and logging residue at aggregated stands of Takahara area, Tochigi prefecture, Japan. Proc. IUFRO3.08 & 6.08 Joint Conference in Fukuoka, pp. 462–435.
• Tochigi Prefectural Government, 2010b. Forestation Program Standard Unit Cost Table of Fiscal Year 2010. Tochigi Prefectural Government, Tochigi, 2010 (in Japanese).
• Tochigi Prefectural Government, 2010a. Tochigi no genkina moridukuri prefectural tax (to make healthy forests with subsidies for thinning operations*). Business Evaluation Report of Fiscal Year 2009, Tochigi Prefectural Government, Utsunomiya (in Japanese).
• Rørstad, P., Trømborg, E., Bergseng, E., Solberg, B., 2010. Combining GIS and forest modelling in estimating regional supply of harvest residues in Norway. Silva Fennica 44: 435-451.
• Nord-Larsen, T. and Talbot, B., 2004. Assessment of forest-fuel resources in Denmark: Technical and economic availability. Biomass and Bioenergy 27: 97-109.
• GIO, 2006. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report in Japan. GIO, Tokyo (in Japanese).
• Forestry Agency of Japan, 2009. Annual Report on Forest and Forestry in Japan. Fiscal Year 2008 (summary). Forestry Agency of Japan, Tokyo.
• Dijkstra, E.W., 1959. A note on two problems in connection with graphs. Numer. Math. 1: 269–271.
• Aruga, K., Yoshioka, T., Sakurai, R., 2006. Long-term feasibility of timber and forest biomass resources at an intermediate and mountainous area: balance of harvesting volumes using random search. Journal of Japan Forest Engineering Society 21: 49–59 (in Japanese with English summary).
• Aruga, K., Murakami, A., Nakahata, C., Yamaguchi, R., Saito, M., and Kanetsuki, K., 2013. A model to estimate available timber and forest biomass and reforestation expenses in a mountainous region in Japan. J. Forestry Res. 24: 345–356.
• ANRE, 2012. Settlement of the Details of the Feed-in Tariff Scheme for Renewable Energy, including purchase price and surcharge rates. http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2012/0618_01.html (Accessed: 18 June 2012).