Productivity ,cost, wood waste and environmental impact of the current and improved logging operations in Ugandan forest plantations.
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Date
2007
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Publisher
Sokoine University of agriculture
Abstract
This study was conducted in two logging site in Uganda to collect information on
major factors responsible for the current wood waste and ground surface disturbances during logging in order to provide a basis for future selection of the most suitable and appropriate forest harvesting methods and techniques in plantation forests. The two plantation forests selected were Mafuga on steep slopes and Katugo on flat terrain, where Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) and Conventional Logging (CL) methods were compared. Data on logging productivity, cost, wood waste and ground disturbance were collected and analysed. Felling production rates were found to be lower under RIL. In Mafuga for example, felling production was 16.39 m3/hr as compared to 25.78 m3/hr when using CL. In Katugo productivity was 20.40 m3/hr when using RIL as opposed to 34.47 m3/hr when applying CL. This was because directional felling (RIL) consumed more time than the random and uncontrolled felling during (CL). Productivity however can be improved if workers practice more directional felling and undergo more RIL training courses. During the application of RIL, limbing was carried out as a separate operation in order to improve the quality of logs. Limbing production rates were 19.93 m3/hr for Mafuga and 17.94 m3/hr for Katugo plantations. RIL was more productive than CL during the bucking operation
in Mafuga, producing 10.09 m3/hr against 9.29 m3/hr respectively. In Katugo
productivity was almost similar (RIL, 10.08 m3/hr against 10.61 m3/hr CL).
Productivity when applying RIL can be even better through further practice and
training. Log rolling production was higher under RIL, producing 6.99 m3/hr against 5.79 m3/hr during CL in Mafuga. In Katugo productivity was 5.22 m3/hr under RIL against 4.04 m3/hr under CL. This improvement was achieved through proper application of appropriate logging techniques and close supervision. Production cost per cubic meter delivered at the mill was slightly higher under RIL relative to CL, costing 1738.33 Ushs/m3 against 1724.11 Ushs/m3 in Mafuga and 1795.15 Ushs/m3
against 1755.30 Ushs/m3 in Katugo. Increase in wood recovery per tree however
seemed to have outweighed this slight difference in production cost. RIL managed to reduce wood waste by 30% for Mafuga and 29% for Katugo and ground disturbance by 59% in Mafuga. In Katugo ground surface disturbance was not significant. During the course of the study the following conclusions were drawn; Logging operators and supervisors in most forests have no training in their field, there are no safety precautions and safety gears neither provided nor used. Training of operators can reduce wood losses and ground disturbance besides improving productivity, and Government and funding agencies need to place greater emphasis on the development and delivery of training in the forest industry.
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Keywords
Productivity, Environmental impact, Wood waste, Ugandan forest plantations, Timber industry, Forest plantations