Criteria for Assessing the Sustainability of Logging Operations—A Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose of Review The comprehensive assessment of timber and fuelwood harvesting operations through the consideration of the three pillars of sustainability: Economic, social, and environmental has not received much attention. The use of criteria can significantly improve impact assessment. Therefore, the objective of this review paper is to compile and analyze the most commonly used criteria and indicators for each dimension of sustainability in logging operations over the last 6 years. This review provides an overview of these criteria for different harvesting machines, geographical areas, slope classes, time periods, types of research, and silvicultural treatments. Recent Findings The environmental pillar was the most studied (46%), followed by the economic pillar (38%). Productivity was the most investigated criterion (15%). On the one hand, productivity is linked to the environmental and social pillars, as it is related to the level of greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and the employment rate. However, productivity is mainly used as a criterion of financial interest, as it is most often studied in combination with costs. In addition to productivity, the other most frequently examined criteria were costs (10%), soil nutrients (9.5%), and soil compaction (9%). The social dimension was the least studied pillar (16%). This may be due to a lack of knowledge of social sustainability issues in this area. Summary Sustainability is achieved when all three dimensions are balanced. The results of this review show an imbalance, with economic and environmental aspects being weighted more heavily than social aspects. Balancing all three dimensions typically requires an assessment of trade-offs. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the criteria that have been studied to date and can be used as a checklist and guideline for future sustainability assessments of harvesting operations.

Optimizing Forest-Biomass-Distribution Logistics from a Multi-Level Perspective—Review

“…The rational use of wood resources and wood products can affect jobs, CO 2 emissions, and contributions to energy security. Researchers [112] have proposed an evaluation of sustainability impacts in forest distribution logistics using three indicators: production costs, employment, and emissions [113,114]. The indexes considered are production costs, asset/material consumption, total heat input at the use level, employment, wages and salaries, safety and public health, transportation of greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, soil quality, and carbon storage in felled biomass.…”

The Effects of Soil Compaction on the Growth and Architecture of the Seedlings of Species Commonly Used for Afforestation in Iran

“…Logging operations are required to obtain wood for multiple purposes [5][6][7]. However, it is well known that logging operations can trigger substantial disturbance to the forest soil [3,[8][9][10][11][12][13]. Forest soils after logging are, indeed, in most cases, prone to compaction.…”