Harvesting Operations In The Tropics

This book brings together information on harvest methods, system productivity, and methods for conducting safe, efficient, and environmentally acceptable operations in tropical forests. It highlights the challenges of harvest operations in the tropics, includes techniques that have been shown to be successful, and discusses newer technologies. Numerical examples are provided to provide clarity for interpreting graphs, procedures, and formulas.

This book brings together information on harvest methods, system productivity, and methods for conducting safe, efficient, and environmentally acceptable operations in tropical forests. It highlights the challenges of harvest operations in the tropics, includes techniques that have been shown to be successful, and discusses newer technologies. Numerical examples are provided to provide clarity for interpreting graphs, procedures, and formulas.

FAO publication

Forest harvesting and transportation operations are essential components of sustainable forestry. Recognition of these important factors was consistent with the theme of the XX IUFRO World Congress, "Caring for the Forest: Research in a Changing World". The Congress was held in Tampere, Finland, in August 1995. As part of the proceedings a forum was provided for discussion of new techniques for planning, implementing and controlling forest operations in ways that promote sustainable management of tropical forests. This volume is the Proceedings of the Symposium organised by IUFRO Subject Group S3.05-00, "Forest Operations in the Tropics". A range of technologies is discussed across a number of regions. A paper by Migunga discusses forest soil compaction in Tanzania, while Cordero and Howard evaluate the use of oxen for logging operations in Costa Rica. Rubini Atmawidjaja addresses the management of ecosystems in Indonesia to balance human and environmental needs. Elias studies forest harvesting damages in East Kalimantan while Aulerich reviews the application of skyline systems by one Indonesian company. Shi Mingzhang presents the forest management accomplishments of the Leizhou Forestry Bureau in Quandong province, southern China. A Mexican case study of damage evaluation in a timber yarding operation is presented by Hernández-Diáz and Delgado-Pacheco while the situation for forest operations in the Amazon Basin is reviewed by Malinovski. Cedergren et al. assess the impacts of selective logging on silvicultural values in a mixed dipterocarp forest of Sabah.

This book presents a synopsis, with an innovative approach, of abundance, types and conditions of work performed in the tropical plantation and natural forests. It covers work of formally and informally employed, and of own-account small-scale forest users, women and children. Activities in tree harvesting are analyzed, also on-site conversion by pitsawing, planting and pruning. The abilities of the workers and their efforts while fulfilling their tasks, resulting in performance and workload, are described with many examples of published studies. Influencing variables from organizational, technical and managerial sides are considered as much as included in the studies. The detailed descriptions demonstrate the methodical state of ergonomic research. For better understanding of the coverage the background of the development of forest work science is described. The lasting influence of Taylorism and the roles of ILO and FAO as well as NGOs, e.g. in certification, are pointed out.