Vol. 15 No. 2, March 2004
From May 7-9th, 2003, nearly 30 delegates from Europe, North America and Australia gathered in Joensuu, Finland to discuss the economics and harvesting of thinnings for commercial wood and energy purposes under the auspices of IUFRO, the International Union of Forest Research Organizations. The workshop, entitled "Improving the economics of early thinnings" was sponsored by two of IUFRO's working parties operating under Division 3 Forest Operations. These groups were:
The meeting was organized and hosted by Metla, the Finnish Forest Research Institute in cooperation with the University of Joensuu's Faculty of Forestry.
IUFRO is an international scientific body founded in 1892 whose mission is to promote the coordination of and the international cooperation in scientific studies embracing the whole field of research related to forests and trees. IUFRO unites more than 15,000 cooperating member scientists in over 700 member institutions in over 100 countries. IUFRO's vision is of science-based sustainable management of the world's forest resources for economic, environmental and social benefits. Those objectives are attained through:
The scientific work of the Union centers around its many specialty groups, which in turn organize conferences and study tours to share information and plan future cooperation. IUFRO's Division 3, Forest Operations, area of activity includes all aspects of forest engineering (including forest infrastructure, machinery, and operational methods in all forestry practices and in all types and ages of forests); operations in forest nurseries; operations related to silvicultural activities; operational planning, management, modelling, information systems, and control; work study, payment methods and labour productivity; ergonomics, including health and safety; operations related to small-scale forestry; harvesting and in-woods utilization of both timber and non-timber forest products; the interface between forest operations and environmental protection, including site impacts; and the study of logistics related to forest operations.
Working Party 3.10.04 has the mission to provide support and information to forest scientists and others interested in wood energy from forests. The working party collaborates closely with other subject groups in IUFRO through joint meetings or research activities. Collaboration with other forestry organizations with similar aims in joint activities is also within the scope of the working party.
Working Party 3.10.06 focuses on economics and harvesting of thinnings with special emphasis on current trends in harvesting techniques and working methods, stand management and environmental aspects. The aims of the working party are to support research in the area, assimilate knowledge and experience of researchers and to promote information and technology exchange.
The workshop in Joensuu, "Improving the economics of early thinnings", aimed to promote information exchanges on the topic of thinnings. Thinnings are an important forest management treatment but the economics and technology of early thinnings are complex issues. With thinnings, the small size of the timber and low yield result in high operational costs but provide higher value growth in the stand and better quality of timber. To optimise thinning regimes and select appropriate harvesting technology, both silvicultural and technological expertise is needed. The seminar, which featured the eleven presentations contained in this special issue of the International Journal of Forest Engineering, covered the following themes:
In conclusion, we would like to recognize the excellence in the quality of the organization of the meeting by our Finnish hosts, Metla and the University of Joensuu. We would also like to thank the speakers for their significant technical contribution both at the meeting and in the preparation of the printed papers. The financial and technical contribution of local forest companies and equipment suppliers to the success of the meeting and the field excursion is also recognized and acknowledged. They include:
Finally, we would like to underline the superb work of Dominik Röser, researcher at Metla, for the tremendous effort in coordinating the production of this special issue of the IJFE.
Nuutti Kiljunen
Deputy Coordinator, IUFRO Group 3.10.04
Jean-François Gingras
Coordinator, IUFRO Group 3.10.06