A COMPARISON IN TERMS OF CARBON EMISSION, COST AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE MOST USED TECHNOLOGIES IN THE YOUNG THINNED STANDS – The CASE OF ROMANIA

The reduction in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions is a challenge to today’s industries (as it is stated by the Kyoto Protocol) as a prerequisite of sustainable development and environment protection. Usually, the last ones are regarded as complementary strategies in attaining the overall goal. Timber harvesting represents one of the most technical components of the overall timber production. In most cases it is achieved by using heavy machinery which is deployed in the mature stands to be harvested. The participation level of the machinery, trends to increase in the case of stands from which the primary production results. Due to the increased densities of the stands (in thinning),frequently animal means are used for timber logging, which can be associated with increased capacity mechanized means. This paper presents an evaluation of production efficiency, fuel consumptions, costs and carbon emissions using comparisons between animal logging and mechanized logging means. As resulted from the study, the utilization of animal logging is less efficient from the production and cost point of view but it is cleaner (no carbon emissions). Data presented in this paper may provide the necessary tools for developing policies related to timber harvesting and carbon emissions.