FOREST4EU Factsheets booklet collection - Innovation Topic Hub1: Wood mobilization

FACTSHEETS BOOKLET COLLECTION ITHub1 Wood mobilization The FOREST4EU Factsheet Collection brings together the key findings, best practices, and innovative tools developed within the project. Each factsheet offers a clear, concise, and accessible summary of a specific topic, ranging from novel wood-based products and climate resilience strategies to advanced monitoring technologies. Standardization of available forest data: the first step to support wood mobilization in Friuli Venezia Giulia Introduction In Friuli Venezia Giulia, located in the eastern Alps of Italy, approximately 32 % of the region is covered by forests. However, their utilization is much lower than their growth. Sustainable forest management in this region faces challenges due to depopulation in the mountains and various other factors, including inadequate forest roads, a limited number and size of logging and primary processing companies, and excessive fragmentation of land ownership. In fact, the majority of regional forests are privately owned (60 %), with highly fragmented parcels of land, some smaller than 1000 m2. Furthermore, it is important to note that a single parcel often has multiple owners, some of whom may not be reachable due to their non-residency in the area. In this context, PRI.FOR.MAN OG is working towards addressing these issues and implementing a new collaborative approach to managing small forest properties. However, to achieve this goal, standardized information on forest parcels is crucial. Although many pieces of information on forest parcels were already available in Friuli Venezia Giulia, they were scattered across various administrative portals. As a result, even if the information were accessible, it was often not organized in a standardized and uniform format. This poses challenges for forest stakeholders and owners who require consistent and reliable information. To improve the situation, PRI.FOR.MAN has focused its efforts on centralizing and standardizing the information on forest parcels, making it easily accessible and facilitating collaborative forest management initiatives. For the first time in the region, a geodatabase was created to centralize the forest-related data from different administrative portals into a single, comprehensive database. This allows streamlined access to information and facilitates standardized data management. The collected and standardized geographic layers can be categorized into three types: (1) Basic cartographic layers, including cadastral parcels, the regional technical map at a scale of 1:5000, public roads, and regional orthophotos with a resolution of 10 cm; (2) Forest management layers, including forest categories, existing forest management plans, forest roads, presence of disturbances, and information related to past harvesting areas; (3) Environmental constraints, including an estimation of the protective role exercised by forest vegetation, the location of ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilization FOREST4EU partner: UNIFI OG: PRI.FOR.MAN OG’s country: Italy Type of Innovation: Service biotopes, regional or state parks and reserves, and Natura 2000 sites with specific connections to current regulations (e.g., conservation and development measures) and/or management plans. PRI.FOR.MAN ensures that the available geographic layers have been verified to resolve any topological errors, standardized, and, if necessary, converted/transformed into the RDN2008/UTM zone 33N reference system (EPSG 6708). The standardized layers were then organized using a systematic approach to structure and categorize the forest data based on relevant parameters such as location, ownership, forest type, and ecological features. Finally, the data were published in the Decision Support System Platform developed within the context of PRI.FOR.MAN. This platform enables the sharing of forest-related data among stakeholders, including forest owners, management agencies, researchers, and other interested parties. It provides user-friendly access to standardized data within a unified environment. Moreover, the classification of the layers allows users to quickly access the necessary information without getting lost in various administrative portals. Lessons learned Organizing the geographic data related to the available information from various administrative portals in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region required a significant amount of work in terms of man-hours dedicated to data standardization. Furthermore, it was not always easy to quickly find the information needed. Some information was not standardized in databases or in a rational manner, necessitating the process of digitization. In the organization of the layers within the categorized strata, the input of technicians and end-users was crucial, as it allowed for proper categorization that reflects their specific needs. Figure 1. Overview of the digital Decision Support System platform. For further information contact Giorgio Alberti, PhD, University of Udine, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] Luca Cadez, PhD, University of Udine, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] Francesca Giannetti, Assistant Professor, University of Florence, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] Website https://lookerstudio.google.com/u/0/reporting/2f6c2f81-b78f-446c-ab07-96571d7b6984/page/p_w5k3gvls6c PRI.FOR.MAN Dashboard: Overview of Wood Resources at NUT3 Level to Support Wood Mobilization and Value Chain Introduction Supporting wood mobilization and establishing new value chains in a forest area involves the development of a comprehensive framework and system to optimize the utilization of forest resources, enhance economic value, and promote sustainable forest management practices. The setup of a new value chain focused on wood mobilization in a forest area requires a holistic approach that considers various aspects such as forest management, stakeholder collaboration, market dynamics, and sustainability principles. Through strategic planning and implementation, a well-designed value chain can contribute to the economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being of the forest area and its surrounding communities. One of the initial steps in establishing a value chain and improving wood mobilization is analysing the existing wood resources and assessing their potential for value-added products and services. In this context, PRI.FOR.MAN has developed different forest geographic layers that describe forest resources, including the Growing Stock Volume map and Forest Types maps. Additionally, the OG has developed additional geographic layers, such as the Accessibility map of forest parcels and forest roads, which are important for analysing the resources for wood mobilization. All these maps have been implemented in a Decision Support System accessible through the internet. To provide forest stakeholders at the NUT3 level with an overview of forest resources, PRI.FOR.MAN has also developed an easy-to-use dashboard that provides summarized information. This dashboard utilizes the forest geographic layers to present valuable insights and information on forest resources in a specific major area (NUT3). It features easily understandable graphs and tables that provide data on the forest area managed under forest management plans, the area accessible through two specific harvesting systems (tractor and cable yard, the most commonly used systems in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Alps), and the Growing Stock Volume accessible for the two harvesting systems. Furthermore, the dashboard provides the Growing Stock Volume accessible for each forest type, enabling an understanding of the potential wood products that can be obtained. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilization FOREST4EU partner: UNIFI OG: PRI.FOR.MAN OG’s country: Italy Type of Innovation: Technological The dashboard serves as a tool to identify areas in the region where new value chains linked with wood mobilization can potentially be established. Moreover, the data can be easily updated when new maps of forest resources are designed. The dashboard is intended for use by public bodies and forest companies to monitor the state of forests in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The availability of such comprehensive and accessible data was not present at the regional level before the establishment of PRI.FOR.MAN OG. The dashboard developed by PRI.FOR.MAN represents a crucial first step in identifying potential wood mobilization areas, which in turn aids in the development of value chains. Additionally, the dashboard, by providing information on the Growing Stock Volume accessible through two harvesting systems, can be utilized to identify areas where the road network is not well established, thus highlighting the need for investments in road planning. Lessons learned Creating user-friendly dashboards that provide useful information in the form of graphs or tables for identifying areas where new value chains can be established and promoting wood mobilization is not technically challenging when the maps developed within the PRI.FOR.MAN project are available. However, it requires a significant coordination effort among public administrators and developers. Access to the necessary data for generating the forest maps, which serve as the foundation of the system, is crucial and requires coordination between different stakeholders. Furthermore, it would be desirable for this type of activity to be carried out by the public administration, as they can play a key role in incentivizing the emergence of new value chains through policies and measures. The members of the GO strongly believe that such dashboards should be developed for public utility, providing support to the forest sector. PRI.FOR.MAN has successfully demonstrated that the development of dashboards is feasible and can be easily implemented, even within Forest Information Systems. For further information contact Francesca Giannetti, Assistant Professor, University of Florence, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] Giorgio Alberti, University of Udine, Italy, e-mail: giorgio.albe[email protected] Luca Cadez, University of Udine, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://lookerstudio.google.com/u/0/reporting/2f6c2f81-b78f-446c-ab07-96571d7b6984/page/p_w5k3gvls6c Website Assessment of Cost in Harvesting Systems using a Web-based Tool (WoodCainManager) Introduction Streamlining work processes is increasingly important in a difficult market environment. Rational production requires that we are always aware of what and how much needs to be invested in a business process to deliver the desired products or services without economic loss. The Slovenian Forestry Institute has developed a tool for estimating the costs of forest timber supply. WoodChainManager is a web-based tool consisting of three user modules, designed to estimate the material costs of individual machines or the total costs of all selected machines in a timber harvesting system. Users can test the impact of individual technologies on the total material costs of a harvesting system and thus optimise work processes. The basic tool for describing harvesting systems is a matrix that visualises the felling and harvesting process from the standing tree in the stand to the forest products at the end user. The method chosen to calculate the cost of each machine is simple, but still reflects the actual costs incurred. WoodChainManager offers cost calculations for a wide range of technologies, machines and associated attachments. The authors of this innovation want to increase awareness and understanding of costing and to offer the possibility to directly compare different harvesting systems. Lessons learned Cost is an important issue in the selection of individual machines and the integration of individual links in production process chains. The development of the web tool focused on the visualisation of forest-wood production chains with a simple method for cost calculation. The costing tool makes users aware, that the choice of appropriate technology can have a significant impact on production costs. It allows users to determine which timber extraction operations will be included in the production chain (logging, harvesting, felling/sawing, chip production, harvesting/transport) and the location where the operations will be carried out (forest stand, logging, forest train, etc.). The user can choose between several different machines and associated accessories. Currently, the database contains data for more than 100 different machines or equipment for forestry activities. In addition to direct material costs, the calculations also include ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: GIS OG: eGozd OG’s country: Slovenia Type of Innovation: Service information on the effects of the machines, allowing a calculation per unit of product (e.g. €/m3). The application allows an easy selection of the technological model for the production of roundwood and green wood chips. Figure 1: Overview of digital platform. The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://wcm.gozdis.si/sl/orodja/ [email protected] Website A system for Quality assessment of Forestry Contractors Introduction The forestry services market is dynamic. Skilled forestry contractors are needed to meet the increased demand for wood and to maintain a competitive edge in forestry. There is often limited knowledge about how well they fulfil demands about resource efficiency, social responsibility and environmental protection. The problem is particularly apparent when there is an increased demand for services in the event of largescale disturbances (ice and wind storms, bark beetle attacks, etc.), when individual forest owners do not have information about service providers and their quality and reliability. Clients of services, especially small forest owners who need services less often and have no experience with forest management, make their decisions mainly based on intuition and personal acquaintances. That is why an online system was developed for the assessment of forestry contractors following sustainability principles. A system for assessing the quality of forestry contractors in Slovenia “MojGozdar” consists of three levels: (1) Formal suitability of forestry contractors based on available data sources on business entities; (2) Expert assessment of suitability of forestry contractors; (3) Customer rating on service quality. In addition to the requirements for professional competences and legislative obligations, the system proposes a number of additional requirements such as corporate social responsibility, participation in the local community and greater environmental responsibility. The forestry contractor and the certification body sign a cooperation agreement to obtain the expert assessment. The expert assessment is performed by an evaluator authorized by a certification body. A web service has been introduced with the purpose of serving as a communication tool between professional evaluators and forestry contractors, as well as providing a new possibility for forest owners to get direct contact with forestry contractors. The system enables its users to exert influence on the assessment of forestry contractors by assessing the quality of their services. Private forests greatly benefit from customer feedback information on the service quality. MojGozdar offers users support in searching for skilled forestry contractors: cutting with a chainsaw, skidding, silviculture works, fully mechanized harvesting, production of wood chips (chopper), forest construction, transport of round wood and wood chips, purchase of wood on the truck road. Lessons learned The MojGozdar online system is an important connecting link between Slovenian forest owners and other forestry service seekers on the one hand, and forestry contractors on the other. The reaction to MojGozdar is positive both from the part of the contractors and users. The user provides a wide range of options, from searching for contractors and establishing contacts with them, to digital management of key ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: GIS OG: eGozd OG’s country: Slovenia Type of Innovation: Service New market for Silver fir products (LVL) Introduction Silver fir is a species for which it is important to find markets with added value. Numerous works, carried out by the Auvergne inter-professional association (FIBOIS AURA), on this species have shown that there are potential outlets for peeling as well as for small sections; thus reducing the difficulties associated with drying. Methodology and results A first meeting was organized for the entire forest-timber sector to present the work previously carried out on the manufacture of plywood and LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) in order to encourage volunteers to go further on a common project. The objective being to continue work on the LVL in silver fir with the aim of validating the achievement of the expected quality and perhaps manufactured in Auvergne. This meeting allowed the partners to clearly express their fears and expectations regarding the project and to better define the contours of the action program: - Shared interest in a new product within our reach; - Difficulty unwinding large and very large fir wood; - Need to scan the veneers to know the density and quality and carry out the sorting necessary for the manufacture of LVL; - Need for a share of business self-financing; - Role of the interprofession to collect, in complete confidentiality, comments, interests and wishes for each person to continue the study. After numerous discussions, two companies in particular took on the project and were thus supported by the Auvergne Promobois inter-professional association (FIBOIS AURA): Company C.B.D and Company Scierie Borie. Search for a new peeling company and partnership agreement: For the project, it was necessary to find equipment capable of peeling very large fir wood with diameters of up to 1.20 meters. Only exotic wood peelers ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: CNPF OG: Silver fir OG’s country: France Type of Innovation: Product are able to meet this demand and there are few of them on French territory. Thus the TOUBOIS Company located in Chasseneuil sur Bonnieure (16260) was contacted and a partnership could be established. International market study: An international market study was carried out on the basis of specifications and the search for service providers. Choice and harvest of silver fir trees: The specific needs for the wood to be harvested have been defined. Then cutting plots were visited and the wood marked with the sawmill technicians according to quality needs. Selection of silver fir logs, followed by peeling and veneer: The fir logs are classified upon their arrival at the park in the sawmills. The identified and sorted logs are then transported to the peeling company TOUBOIS. Monitoring of veneers and LVL manufacturing: 2000 veneers were selected and sent from the TOUBOIS company to the Raute company in Finland. Each stage of LVL manufacturing was followed and analyzed together with the heads of partner companies: - Veneer scans; - Design of the “millefeuilles” making up the LVL panels; - Gluing and manufacturing of LVL panels; - Cutting samples for in situ tests and for the laboratory; - Glue resistance tests at Raute company. Lessons learned The first difficulty was finding companies willing to take on such a project. Given the ambitious objectives of creating an industrial LVL production unit, the commitment of entrepreneurs took place in a delicate context without a regional industry. Experimentation and testing of LVL product samples demonstrates here that Auvergne silver fir veneers are technically suitable for the manufacture of LVL panels. The production of LVL always requires careful planning of the constitution of the "millefeuille" of the panels with sheets of adequate density. The market study validated the export potential essential to this project. The project has been approved in full and has entered its industrial development phase belonging to the two partner companies. The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] www.fibois-aura.org Website Implementation of innovative forestry trials Improvement at lower cost Introduction The stakes of a first thinning cut in a plantation are high. Thinning is necessary at around twenty years of age, in order to reduce the density in favour of future trees and thus encourage their growth in diameter. However, there are many delays in carrying out this first cut, with consequences for the quality of the stand (development of epicormics, stressed trees, etc.). The reasons given for this delay in thinning are the cost of the operation and the difficulty for owners to find skilled labour. Various alternative solutions could make it possible to carry out these thinnings at lower cost. QD (qualification-dimensioning) silviculture, in particular, aims to designate a limited number of future stems in order to limit the number of interventions in the plot. One of the aims of the RAISON project was to assess the economic and silvicultural benefits of managing a young deciduous stand using low-density designation and routing compared with conventional silviculture based on full thinning. Methodology and results A property located in the commune of Valdallière was selected by CETEF members to set up a system on a 1.31 hectare plot, with the main species being common beech (75 %) planted in a mixture with chestnut (25 %). The planting pattern alternates between rows of 2 m and 4 m, making it easier to clear and prune the trees. In 2016, the trees ranged from 8 to 15 cm in diameter and 7 to 9 m in height. The stand has been subject to two successive reserve markings, the first aimed at favouring beech trees and the second at favouring future stems. The plot was divided into 4 blocks of 0.3 ha, each allowing a different management method to be tested. Management method "a" was based on full thinning, "b" on low-density designation (QD silviculture) and clipping, "c" on low-density designation and ring-barking, and "d" was a control with no intervention. There were no replications of any of the methods. To avoid the edge effect, the two outermost lines of each plot were not measured. The plots were marked with stakes and the isolation strips were marked with a line 1.30 m apart on the outside trees closest to the measurement plot. Future trees were also specifically marked. The variables measured were circumference at 1.30 m, a rating of the epicormic trees, and a description of the ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: CNPF OG: RAISON OG’s country: France Type of Innovation: Process social status of the objective trees. The total height, the height of the base of the leafy crown, and the average radius of the crown are noted on the 10 largest designated stems. The stand is also monitored, with estimates of density, basal area and thinning. This estimate is made within a 10 meter radius of a designated tree near the centre of each plot. The data measured on the objective trees, the epicormic area, and the height of the 10 largest trees will be analysed to see whether the interventions maintain growth and whether the initial diameter is a true reflection of vigour, to see the impact of the interventions on the quality of the objective trees and to quantify the tree balance parameters. Finally, monitoring the time and cost of the interventions, as well as the revenue generated, will enable an economic comparison of the different methods. Lessons learned 35 to 40 "option" trees have been identified and marked out. They will be monitored individually until the final stand is harvested, ideally by taking measurements every three years at the beginning and then before each thinning. The first thinning of the "a" and "b" modalities and the girdling of the "c" modality was carried out in the 2nd half of 2022. Each sub-plot will be regularly maintained in accordance with the planned protocol. As tree growth is not linear over time, it is desirable for the monitoring of such an experiment to last until the stand is harvested. Of course, the experiment will produce results well before the harvest, but these results will only relate to the period measured and cannot be extrapolated over the entire life of the stand. Experimenting with different management methods is a long-term process for the forest and requires long-term sources of funding to enable the stands to be monitored. Figure 1. Ringing of an aspen in favour of an oak. Samuel Pont © CNPF The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://hautsdefrance-normandie.cnpf.fr/projet-raison Website Innovative method for maintaining the quality of round and processed wood by controlling temperature and humidity Introduction The biological degradation of wood is a permanent risk for the entire industry. From the time the trees are felled in the forest to the time the timbers are dried, the quality of the wood stored is constantly called into question by attacks of biological origin (fungi, bacteria, etc.). As a result, wood products can lose some or all their market value, and this problem is exacerbated in emergency situations (storms, epidemics, etc.). Current wood protection techniques remain unsatisfactory. There are currently three main techniques for maintaining wood quality: - Wet protection (sprinkling, immersion); - Preservation by ensilage (under tarpaulin); - Chemical treatment. None of them is fully satisfactory (lack of technical efficiency, constraints, high economic and environmental cost, etc.). CoolWood® CoolWood®: an innovative storage process: The CoolWood® process is a new technology for maintaining wood quality. Logs are stored in an enclosure that is maintained: - At a low temperature, to block the action of degrading biological agents; - At a high level of humidity, to slow down the drying of round wood and prevent deformation (splitting and cracking). CoolWood®: an industrial research programme: The development of the CoolWood® process was the subject of an industrial research programme from 2013 to 2017. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: CNPF OG: CoolWood® OG’s country: France Type of Innovation: Technological The programme, funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) and the Lorraine Region, involved eight partners: four public laboratories (Université de Lorraine, AgroParisTech / INRA, CNRS) and four private companies (Biomasse Conseil, forestry cooperative F&BE, CDC Forestry Company, Inddigo). Results and industrial applications of the process The process maintains a better quality of wood than other methods (water spraying in particular) and the energy requirements of the process are relatively modest: 25 to 40 kW of maximum power demand for 1,000 m3 of stored wood. Four industrial applications have been identified for the "CoolWood®" process, at different stages of the supply chain, from logging to drying: - Emergency storage, to manage emergencies caused by natural hazards; - Logistics platforms, to organise the mobilisation of timber and regulate commercial flows; - Logyards and industrial logyards, to maintain the quality of round timber; - Sawn timber yards, to maintain the quality of wood after processing. EIP-AGRI project (2022 – 2024) The CoolWood® project is an Operationnal group of EIP-AGRI with the following partners: - SARL Biomasse Conseil, owner of the process and the driving force behind its development; - The forestry cooperative F&BE (Forêts et Bois de l'Est); - Scierie Genet, which mainly processes beech, a species that is highly susceptible to degradation; - SAS Cebi 45, a consultancy specialising in energy and thermal engineering. In August 2023, an industrial cold room was installed in a sawmill for storing sawn timber. We can disseminate the process in industry by creating turnkey installations. Lessons learned The added value of the entire timber industry is significantly reduced by attacks from biological agents that deteriorate freshly felled timber. After 5 to 6 months of summer storage, the depreciation of products sawn from these logs can represent up to 13 % for oak and 30 % for fir and spruce. In France and Europe, we are witnessing a massive deterioration in the health of trees, which will have to be harvested at a rate higher than that of industrial processing. It will therefore be necessary to store large volumes of wood, but the technique most used until now - continuous spraying of wood with water - is encountering increasing difficulties as water availability decreases. The advantages of the CoolWood® process over existing technologies (water spraying in particular) are: a better quality of the wood stored, a reduced raw material losses, a simplified logistics, an use of renewable energy sources, an environmental protection, more flexibility (variety of storage sites), an adaptability to the volumes to be stored, a self-sufficiency of the facilities (energy) and the possibility of visually assessing the wood The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://coolwood.fr/ Website Sylv'éclair a decision support tool for thinning in pine plantation Introduction Design and development of an application to trigger thinnings in maritime pine stands and development of a database through "participative silviculture" via the same application. Thinnings help maintain the good growth of a forest stand, improve its quality and provide intermediate income. For the forest-timber sector, thinnings guarantee the qualities and quantities of wood that will be produced in the future. Finally, regular and well-performed thinnings, as well as careful planting and appropriate mechanical clearing, are the guarantee of good resistance of populations to climate change. The Landes de Gascogne massif is at a very special moment in its history. After two major storms, Martin in 1999 and Klaus in 2009, the last decades have mainly been devoted to cleaning and then rebuilding the stands. In certain properties, there was a delay in carrying out thinnings. At the same time, maritime pine prices encourage the mobilization of wood. This sometimes results in cuts made to the detriment of the future of the population: By triggering thinning too early or too late on certain plots, or too intense on others. In this context, each owner must be able to quickly diagnose each of their stands using simple tools to determine when and how to implement the next thinning. Presentation of the decision support tool Sylv’éclair This decision support tool is based on the work of Jean-Paul Maugé carried out on the Maritime Pine in the 1980s. The limits defined by J.-P. Maugé correspond to a compromise between production maximum stand and individual growth of each tree. For a given circumference, these tables make it possible to determine a minimum density and a maximum density between which the population must be located. When the real density is greater than the maximum limit, it is necessary to clarify and bring this density to a value close to the minimum limit. These limits remain adapted to the maritime pine populations present today in the Landes de Gascogne Massif. The tool is suitable for all types of terrain. The only thing that changes is the age at which thinning occurs. Thus, the operation will be triggered later in plots installed on dry moors than for those located on more favorable moors. Current populations mostly benefit from genetic improvement and dynamic silviculture. They therefore arrive earlier at the thinning trigger circumferences. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: CNPF OG: SPNA OG’s country: France Type of Innovation: Technological A mobile tool on smartphones will soon be available. It will be very easy to use by as many people as possible. In the event that thinning must be initiated, the diagnosis will indicate the dendrometric characteristics of the stand and the number of stems to be sampled. The tool will also remind you of the instructions concerning the organization of cutting and marketing. If thinning has to wait, the application will indicate the recommended intervention date. Lessons learned SYLV’ÉCLAIR and its database developed as part of the SPNA project are designed to collect data from stands made up mainly of maritime pine and provide advice adapted to them. However, the tool is designed so that any other forest species (Douglas fir, laricio pine, Scots pine, etc.) managed in regular high stands can be integrated provided that it is equipped with forest standards and a growth model. Furthermore, if the first testing phases of this interface mainly take place in populations of the Massif des Landes de Gascogne, the tool is intended to be used throughout the national territory. Figure 1. Screenshot of the “Sylv’éclair” demonstration web interface - SPNA prototype site © CNPF The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://nouvelle-aquitaine.cnpf.fr/sites/socle/files/cnpf-old/article_eclaircie_pm.pdf Website Mechanical structural classification for Pinus pinaster ssp. atlantica in the northern Iberian Peninsula approved by the European Normalization Committee. Introduction For the first time for maritime pine wood of Spanish origin, mechanical structural grading tools have been developed, which will allow maritime pine wood to be classified into C24 and C18 classes. Mechanical grading is based on the use of equipment for measuring physical and/or mechanical parameters in the wood, which allows different strength and stiffness values to be assigned directly, without the need to destroy or alter the wood or to carry out a detailed visual classification of the piece. These machines are widely developed throughout Europe, as they optimise the mechanical properties to be declared, as they have excellent prediction levels, and greatly improve classification times. Despite this, they are practically non-existent in Spain. Lessons learned During the process, it was found that the maritime pine wood obtained resistance classes: C30, C27, C24, C18 and C16, which allow the industry's resource to be optimised to the maximum. It was also found that mechanical grading with respect to structural visual grading improves yields. Specifically, with respect to the visual classification stipulated in the Spanish standard UNE 56546, the mechanical classification improves performance by 30 % with respect to the visual classification. It was also found that although the UNE-EN 56544 standard only allows classification for maritime pine C-27 and C-18, with the mechanical classification it has been possible to classify up to C30, which also means an improvement in mechanical properties. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: Cesefor OG: SIGCA OG’s country: Spain Type of Innovation: Process For further information contact José Luis Villanueva, Project coordinator, Cesefor, e-mail: [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://www.sigcamaderadecalidad.info/ Website LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) of Fagus sylvatica. Introduction A new LVL product has been developed and tested using beech veneer from Spain. This product did not exist before and it is hoped that with its development, the beech wood value chain can be revalued. LVL is a product that consists of the successive stacking of thin layers of wood, veneers, obtained by unrolling. Obtaining the material in this way has the following implications: - Beech veneers used for the manufacture of LVL. The raw material for the manufacture of this product is high quality logs. Large diameters, straight, with little taper and knots in order to obtain an adequate yield, volume and quality during unrolling. For this reason, it is to be expected that the manufacture of structural products with peeled veneer will offer superior properties to sawn timber of the same species. - Bending tests have been carried out on small dimension and structural size specimens, as well as tensile tests perpendicular to the fiber. The results of the tests are satisfactory and encouraging, achieving good mechanical properties that indicate that the raw material is suitable for the production of this product. Comparing the properties of LVL tested in bending with those of sawn timber from the same source, the results have been improved in both bending strength and stiffness. Lessons learned It has been observed that the bending strength of LVL is higher than that of the tested sawn timber sample. This is consistent with the fact that engineered wood products, such as LVL, improve the properties of sawn timber due to the better use of the material and the reduction of singularities in the structural elements. If we now analyse the results of the bending tests performed on small specimens, we can see, as expected, that these samples are stronger and stiffer than those of structural size. In particular, the ratio between strengths is 1.67, and in the overall modulus of elasticity 1.43. This can be explained by the lower amount of singularities ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: Cesefor OG: FAGUS OG’s country: Spain Type of Innovation: Product that small-sized wood has compared to structural-sized wood. On the other hand, the pressing process with the hot plate press, used to produce the panels from which the small dimension specimens were obtained, has a higher degree of control than that carried out with the large press used to produce the structural size beams. The latter may also influence the better results obtained with the small specimens. Finally, with regard to the results of the tensile tests perpendicular to the fibre, it can be commented that the characteristic strength value obtained of 0.94 MPa is higher than that indicated for all hardwood D strength classes in the EN338 standard, which corresponds to 0.6 MPa. For further information contact José Luis Villanueva, Project coordinator, Cesefor, e-mail: [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://gofagus.es/gofagus/ Website Visual structural grading tool and a mechanical structural grading tool Introduction For the first time, structural grading tools have been developed for beech wood of Spanish origin. This will allow beech timber to be used for structural products: beams, pillars, glued laminated timber, etc. Specifically, a structural visual grading and a mechanical grading have been developed. The structural visual grading consists of a wood industry operator who, on the basis of visual observation criteria of each piece of wood, can declare a resistance class. On the other hand, mechanical grading consists of the determination of a strength class with the use of a grading machine, which, based on the density of the wood and the natural vibration frequency of the piece, is able to determine the strength class. Finally, the results obtained in the reports will be submitted to the European committee for approval so that it can be used by the industry. Lessons learned During the process, it has been found that beech wood obtains better resistance classes than the Spanish conifers approved for use in structures within the UNE 56544 Standard. Specifically, resistance classes ranging from D45 to D24 were obtained. It was also found that the structural visual classification, according to the Spanish standard UNE 56546, obtained 75 % of wood suitable for use in structures, which allows to expand the customer market. In the process, a modification of the UNE 56546 standard has also been proposed, for the improvement of yields, with this modification, higher graded wood yields are obtained (84 % of MEF wood corresponding to a CR D35). On the other hand, modification 2 establishes a high percentage of high structural quality wood (44% of MEF A class), with an added value corresponding to CR D45, to which we must add 40 % of CR D35 and 16 % of rejected wood. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: Cesefor OG: FAGUS OG’s country: Spain Type of Innovation: Technological innovation The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://gofagus.es/gofagus/ José Luis Villanueva, Project coordinator, Cesefor, e-mail: [email protected] Website defects. Quality is usually determined by stating the maximum number and size of permissible defects that an assortment may still have in order to achieve a certain quality class. Wood defects spoil some of its properties and thus reduce its usefulness. Wood defects have different origins. They are formed due to the unfavourable influence of the natural site on the development of the tree or due to mechanical damage during the process of wood production. In the case of wood defects, we must know how to properly identify and define them. To determine its size, knowing the agreed method of measuring the defect is necessary. Last but not least, it is also necessary to determine the degree of defect influence for each defect, which consequently affects the classification of the assortment into a certain quality class. Wood defects that affect the quality of wood are the most important when defining assortments. When bucking, we estimate those defects of the wood that are noticeable on the circumferential surface and the crosssection of the trunk. Based on these, we also conclude on the wood quality of the trunk. Lessons learned Knowing wood defects is important in direct trunk bucking. Knowledge of how to eliminate the defect, how to reduce the impact of the defect, where to make demarcations between assortments of different quality and where to cut is a key element of bucking. In this way, we influence the quality and value of an individual assortment. Figure 1: Overview of digital platform. For further information contact - [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://di-gozd.si/ Website Web-based due diligence and traceability system for forest timber assortments Introduction The international community has developed policy measures to promote sustainable forest management and combat illegal logging and related trade to protect the world's forest resources, mitigate climate change, and safeguard biodiversity. Illegal logging causes damage to forests, affecting climate, biodiversity and the economy. One cause is international trade, driven by the demand of consumer countries. In 2003, the EU adopted the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan, which is considered the central document and provides various measures to prevent the import of illegal timber. These include the implementation of the European Timber Regulation (EUTR, 2010) and the implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs). Since 2013, the EUTR (2010) prohibits placing timber and timber products from illegal sources on the European market. Illegal timber is defined as timber obtained contravening the legislation in force in the country of origin. The EUTR (2010) requires legal entities and private persons, when placing timber or timber products on the European market for the first time, to act with due diligence and related traceability of timber and timber products. According to the Regulation, information must be provided for the last five years on: - the type of product, - the species of tree and the quantity of wood, - the felling permit (e.g. decision of the Slovenian Forest Service authorising the felling of the selected trees or other document that is the basis for legal felling), - the name and address of the consignee or trader (personal name and address of the natural person or company and the registered office of the legal entity) to whom the forest timber was supplied or sold, and any other permits, if the logging took place in areas protected under other legislation. The essence of a 'due diligence system' is that economic operators implement risk management measures to minimise the risk of placing illegally harvested timber or timber products containing illegally harvested wood on the market. For example, in the EUTR (2010), a due diligence system has three essential elements: information gathering, risk assessment and risk mitigation. Risk mitigation measures should also be specified if the risk is not negligible. By establishing a due diligence system, manufacturers and traders demonstrate that the products they trade are sourced by the applicable legislation in the country of origin. Traders throughout the supply chain must ensure the traceability of timber and derived products by identifying the operators or traders who have supplied them with wood and derived products and, where ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: GIS OG: eGozd OG’s country: Slovenia Type of Innovation: Service applicable, the traders to whom they have provided timber and derived products. They shall keep this information for at least five years and make it available to the competent authorities on request. Lessons learned The basis for ensuring a due diligence and traceability system with forest timber products is the possession of a felling licence and a contract with a forestry service provider. At the same time, all other necessary documents can be arranged through the online system. To manage digital records, users must register and log in to the system free of charge. After that, the system guides users through a series of questions which provide needed documents (e.g., a record sheet, an accounting document or a transport declaration). To make it easier to organise digital records, a video guide has also been produced and is available at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNbgJ2kjr7I. Figure 1: Overview of the digital platform. For further information contact - [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://www.mojgozdar.si/digitalne-evidence/seznam/ Website New methodology for Douglas-fir timber qualification Introduction Douglas fir has a medium texture with pronounced heartwood and a yellowish/red colour. Its physico-mechanical properties can vary considerably depending on origin, altitude, silviculture treatments, stand age and growth rate, and the wood characteristics can also be influenced by the different Douglas-fir varieties used in plantations. The aim of the work was to fit into the forest wood supply chain by creating conditions for more profitable use of Douglas fir wood. This can be achieved, for example, by increasing the value of production through more careful wood qualification and diversification of possible uses. The National Research Council's Institute of Bio-Economics based in Florence (Italy) has identified alternative and profitable uses for Douglas fir wood, such as in construction, by defining its technological characteristics and grading methods best suited for its economic and commercial valorisation. The Do.Na.To project tested a rapid method for analysing Douglas fir roundwood in order to classify its timber for structural uses and define the necessary technological characteristics and grading methods. For the study, 158 logs from trees felled in the Vallombrosa forest complex were marked. The characterization was non-destructive and carried out with the Hitman HM200 instrument from the company Fibre-gen. This instrument, designed for qualitative assessment of roundwood, measures the speed of a mechanical wave generated by percussion, which propagates longitudinally; higher speeds correspond to higher physicalmechanical quality. During on-site measurements, moisture was also measured with an electric wood hygrometer, as it correlated with speed. Based on the speed values, it was possible to separate better quality logs intended for structural sawing from lower quality logs. The better quality logs were then divided into assortments of various sizes (beams, squares, boards and planks) and then characterized with ViSCAN, a non-destructive tool used for grading timber for structural uses. Since the parameters thus obtained on logs and sawn timber correlated well, the qualification of the roundwood was predictive of the quality of the sawn timber obtained. Finally, to assess the structural quality of the sawn timber, a ViSCAN-portable simulation was performed to grade the strength of each element. Timber qualification from roundwood to sawn timber permits to find the more profitable use for each Douglas-fir log, while the properties of the Douglas fir timber make it suitable for various uses. It can be used for the production of plywood panels, of beams (worked in fours wires, Uso ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilization FOREST4EU partner: UNIFI OG: Do.Na.To OG’s country: Italy Type of Innovation: Technological Fiume or Uso Trieste), while sawn timber of lesser thickness is used in carpentry (fixtures, furnishings, beads), for packaging production, and also for the production of glued structural products, such as laminated beams and board panels (CLT - Cross Laminated Timber). Innovation activities consisted of transferring experience gained in instrumental applications aimed at assessing the quality of Douglas-fir roundwood and sawn timber produced from it. Lessons learned The aim of the work was to unite the forest-wood chain and create the conditions for a more profitable use of Douglas fir, as had been learned from exchanges with other European countries. This could be achieved by increasing the value of production through more careful qualification of the wood and diversification of possible destinations. The cost of the equipment is high and therefore only accessible to industries with a high turnover, but the qualification of the wood, from roundwood to sawn timber, can allow a more efficient and therefore more profitable use. In addition to the critical points, the Tuscan wood supply chain also has some strengths that must be exploited in order to succeed in creating a local Douglas fir supply chain that enhances the different assortments. Firstly, the availability of the local wood resource and the territorial "vocation"; secondly, the changing scenarios of the global wood market and the attention given to the issues of carbon footprint reduction in all economic sectors, which have led to a significant upward variation in the prices of roundwood and semi-finished products, making local products economically competitive; then, the research/innovation/transfer experience carried out in the region; and finally, the very active local industrial sectors that have focused on Douglas fir to characterise their production and diversify their products. For further information contact David Pozzi, Project manager, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] Francesca Giannetti, Assistant Professor, University of Florence, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://www.progettodonato.it/ Website Prefabricated modular construction system made from Normandy hardwoods Developing a standard detached house made exclusively of local wood Introduction The Normandy region is renowned for its oak and beech forests, which produce high-quality wood. The hardwood market is therefore large, and companies in the region are involved in the production and processing of this resource. It is used for a wide variety of purposes, including construction, joinery and cabinet-making, cooperage, veneer and panel production, and wood energy. The technical issues are diverse and evolve according to the species and destination selected. For structural timber, oak can be supplied by fresh sawn timber, or air-dried or re-dried. Each of these methods of supply brings with it its own set of constraints (mould and deformation in the case of fresh sawn timber, and a complex supply cycle in the case of re-dried timber). Beech can be used in the form of glued laminated timber, which provides mechanical strength, a standardised appearance and the use of lower quality raw timber. However, beech does not tolerate humidity. Regarding wood used for siding, chestnut has many advantages, but the available volumes are very low and it shows tannin stains. Douglas fir, on the other hand, can be used in larger volumes, but the market is very tight and it is less resistant to punching. Constraints linked to the construction system can also be highlighted. The timber post-and-beam system requires on-site installation, making it tricky to incorporate prefabricated floors, it takes longer to install than timber-framed studs, and it is more complex to install networks. The timber-framed façade system requires fixing systems that ensure perfect watertightness while allowing for expansion gaps with the load-bearing part. Bâtiment Bois de Normandie wants to develop a prefabricated modular construction system based on hardwood from Normandy, enabling the construction of houses, collective housing and public buildings. The target groups for this innovation are social landlords, local authorities and private clients. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: CNPF OG: Normandy Wood Building (BBN) OG’s country: France Type of Innovation: Product Methodology and results The main environmental benefit of the project is to be able to supply buildings whose life cycle analysis is better than or equal to current timber-frame construction standards. In particular, this means that the structure can be easily converted, deconstructed and/or reused. From an economic point of view, the design must be able to minimise costs, and its viability depends in particular on economies of scale. Modular design must therefore be standardised and simplified, via a controlled industrial process in agreement with reliable partners and committed to framework agreements. From a social point of view, the design of the uses, the manufacturing techniques and the destination of the buildings are intended to be as inclusive as possible, in particular through the use of common spaces, the comfort of use of the buildings, the use of local staff for its manufacture as well as a training component and an increase in the skills of the staff during installation and maintenance. A number of private partners have already committed to the project: Bellême Bois (timber supply and sawing), RBD (machining), Artémis (engineering office), Technopieux Normandie (foundations), Leduc Bâtisseur (frame assembly), Manubois (structural timber supply). Institutional partners are also supporting the creation of the prototype. The provision of a location as well as administrative, financial and technical support ensure the success of the project. Discussions with these partners have led to the emergence of a number of solutions and ideas. The choice of wood species and cross-sections was determined. A selection was also made for the thermal envelope system, which is currently being developed. The entire primary structure will be produced by the end of the year 2023, for assembly in the 1st quarter of 2024. Work is scheduled for completion in March 2024. Lessons learned Ultimately, the building will be used as a demonstrator and will be open to a wide range of visitors, from professionals in the timber industry to social landlords, elected representatives and architects. Once the prototypes have been tested and marketed, this project will make it possible to add value to local wood that is currently poorly exploited and/or exported. We will therefore avoid importing softwood and exporting unprocessed French wood. The volumes produced will make it possible to develop the local industry through to secondary processing and thus create long-term jobs in the sector, as this is a long-term project. Skills upgrading should accompany this recruitment drive. The estimated economic impact on the oak market is €2.5 million, on the beech market €1.2 million and on the chestnut market €1.8 million, excluding tax, for the Normandy region. It could lead to the creation of 20 to 25 direct jobs and 10 to 15 indirect jobs (transport, maintenance, administration, etc.). Figure 1. 3D preview of a demonstration building developed as part of the project. ©batimentboisdenormandie The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://www.batimentboisdenormandie.fr/ Website Mapping forest assortment at parcel level to support wood mobilization Introduction Efficiently categorizing wood assortments is a critical task for gaining a more precise understanding of the genuine value of wood, whether it's within a forest or stored in a yard. Additionally, it's essential to measure and classify wood assortments at the parcel level before harvesting to obtain accurate insights into the forest's overall value. Within the GO-SURF system, various maps, such as the Growing Stock Volume Map and Forest Types Map developed using decision support tools, enable the creation of a map that identifies potential wood assortments. This map employs the regional mean value to extract this valuable information. At the forest parcel level, the map provides the percentage of growing stock volume for each potential wood assortment, such as pellets, wood chips, firewood, poles and beams. This map is a valuable tool for forest managers in assessing the economic value of the forest prior to its sale. Furthermore, it is integrated into the Decision Support System within the OG-SURF framework, making it accessible through a simple polygon design in the user interface. Lessons learned The map of wood assortments provides information at parcel level and from the point of view of forest managers working within the project appears to be a support instrument to quantify the possible value of the forest. However, in our study area there are many forests managed as coppices so the main forest assortments that were observed in our map were mainly firwood and chips. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilization FOREST4EU partner: UNIFI OG: SURF OG’s country: Italy Type of Innovation: Technological For further information contact Francesca Giannetti, Assistant Professor, University of Florence, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://www.go-surf.it/ Website Di-Gozd Digital Forest Inventory-Mobile app Introduction The mobile application complements the web application. After registering the plot in the online application, you can make five different records. Tree count recording can be done in two ways, automatically or manually, using augmented reality technology. It is used to estimate the wood supply or to determine the amount and value of the wood mass. A recording of the felling path can be used to search for felled trees later or to control the felling. Lessons learned The mobile application complements the web application. After registering the plot in the online application, five different surveys can be taken. Tree counting can be done in two ways, automatically or manually, using augmented reality technology. It is used to estimate the wood supply or to determine the amount and value of the wood mass. A recording of the felling path can be used to later search for felled trees or to control felling. Mobile applications, classified as augmenting artificial intelligence system, are also contributing to digitalization and have been developed for forestry or related sectors. Figure 1: Overview of digital platform. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: GIS OG: Di-Gozd OG’s country: Slovenia Type of Innovation: Service For further information contact - [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://di-gozd.si/ Website Di-Gozd Digital Forest Inventory-Internet app Introduction The online application allows users to review their own forest land based on existing public data and estimate the value of their own forest's annual yield. Users can also assess the condition, value, and control measures of the forest based on their own images created with the mobile application. The application provides users with analysis tools for reviewing the images created, a method for calculating the value of trees, and a system for monitoring events on the forest plot. Lessons learned From the online application, we can get an overview of our own plots using publicly available data. It provides us with control over the interventions carried out and an overview of the records created. It allows us to make a more accurate assessment of the condition of the forest plot. It gives us information about our planned harvest and value. Figure 1: Overview of digital platform. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: GIS OG: Di-Gozd OG’s country: Slovenia Type of Innovation: Service For further information contact - [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://di-gozd.si/ Website Social network of sustainable forest use for the production of biomass for thermal purposes Introduction The lack of demand in the rural area of forest biomass for thermal purposes is a brake on the implementation of viable models of collective management of this resource. On the other hand, there are masses of trees with little commercial interest, currently unused, which increase the risk of fires and forest pests. It is necessary, therefore, to plan a collective management of forest masses and endogenous use of the resource that contributes to the circular economy that the rural environment requires, contributes to the creation of employment and resources, reduces GHG emissions to the atmosphere and minimizes fire risks and forest pests. It is essential that both administrations and the general public perceive the economic, social and environmental benefits of sustainable collective management of forest biomass. Creation of a social network for the use of forest biomass for thermal purposes, generating employment and resources, improving its management, contributing to the energy transition and reducing GHG emissions. Implement biomass exploitation networks based on the ownership of the masses, their management, optimizing collective production processes, and setting the business model. Design and implement the model of intervention in masses and forest remains of low commercial interest that minimize the risk of fires and proliferation of forest pests. Promote the use of biomass, in public buildings and local populations, and disseminate the resource as a source of renewable energy, reinforcing the role of the rural environment in the energy transition. Lessons learned The sustainable and viable use of forest biomass presents environmental, economic and social advantages in the territories. Environmental - Contribution to the 5C focal area and objectives 1 and 3 of EPI-AGRI: - Reduces the risk of forest fires due to the management of trees, eliminating excess fuel in the forest; - Reduce the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere by replacing fossil fuel emissions; - It improves the stability of the forest masses through the application of viable intermediate silvicultural treatments; - 100 % renewable energy. Economic - Contribution to the 5C focal area and objectives 1 and 3 of EPI-AGRI: - Competitive discounts compared to other sources of energy (diesel, natural gas, etc.); - Encourages local economic activity; - Decreased external energy dependence, which favours the trade balance. Social - Contribution to the 5C focal area and to EPIAGRI objective 3: - New jobs for the creation of jobs in the rural environment (In the mountains with the creation of forestry teams, equipment, transport, logistics and distribution and in ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: BOSCAT OG: Calor Rural OG’s country: Spain Type of Innovation: Social Innovation points of consumption (machinery, installations, maintenance, boiler changes). Contribution to the circular economy - On the other hand, the proposed use, based on collective and grouped interests, as well as the use of the resource, fundamentally endogenous, enhances the circular economy by using this resource, closing the cycle of its life cycle. The creation of jobs in the rural area also contributes to generate economy in the territory where the resource is located. Young people and women - The depopulation of rural areas is taking place, fundamentally, due to the lack of job opportunities for young people and women of the territory. The creation of new employment opportunities and new opportunities for entrepreneurship generated by the project will provide a better viability to the whole of the territories. For further information contact Jordi Tarradas Martí, Manager, Boscat, e-mail: [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] Grupo Operativo Calor Rural | Teder https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohi5nZyFW6o&t=13s Website Innovation in products, processes and marketing to introduce local woods with special, greater value-added characteristics to the Catalan market Introduction The aim of the project is to valorise wood with special dimensions and characteristics in the forests of Catalonia, and in particular, wood produced by the members of the cooperative Forestal de Catalunya, SCCL (Serveis Forestals, SF) and the company Agrupació Forestal del Montnegre i el Corredor SL (AFMC) through innovation in products, the transformation process and the methods/techniques for marketing these types of wood, presenting them to the market in a format that is different from the usual format in Catalonia. The project aims to introduce a new product "as a different concept to the formats of planks in standard dimensions available in large retail outlets," and to offer a product that has been preprocessed as little as possible and dried under ideal conditions to ensure an optimal technological quality and in "boules", using the French model. The idea is to introduce this product to the retail market (wood craftsmen, cabinetmakers, carpenters, decorators, architects, surveyors, etc.), which has been identified as a "market niche". The aim is to improve the economic results of forestry operations and provide the opportunity for forest owners to have a wider range with greater added value when selling their wood, in a market different from the one for which this wood was initially intended, which was packaging and/or bioenergy. Another objective of the project is to improve the competitiveness of the two groups of forest producers (Forestal de Catalunya, SCCL and Agrupació Forestal del Montnegre Corredor), which include forestry producers and groups of forest owners. By applying new processes, they can add value to their products, and focus them on new local markets, with short distribution circuits. Lessons learned The end result is the "SingularWood" business initiative, which aims to facilitate marketing and add value to the woods from Catalonia's forests with special and unique features. Each and every one of our products is unique. The virtual platform (www.singularwood.cat) has been created to offer all the "boules" to the end customers: cabinetmakers, carpenters, designers, etc. The same platform contains a description of each product, which includes all the necessary information and which asks the craftsman who will use the "boules" to determine the suitability of each product for the creation of the unique pieces that they have conceived and designed. The execution of this OG led to the launch of an initiative that gives added value to trunks ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: BOSCAT OG: Calor Rural OG’s country: Spain Type of Innovation: Social Innovation with unique features, and which after going through a minimal pre-treatment process and with a guarantee of traceability, can be made available to craftsmen (cabinetmakers, carpenters, designers, architects, etc.) for use in their unique creations. For further information contact Company contact, e-mail: cooperati[email protected]t Pictures Figure 1: “Wood product (1)” Figure 2: “Wood product (2)” Figure 3: “Wood product (3)” The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://singularwood.cat/ Website Rural property management platform Introduction The change in population and land use in the Spanish rural forest environment in recent decades has led to the abandonment of large areas with the potential to be put to good use, which requires the design of new management models and proposals for solutions to facilitate access to their productive revaluation. Those areas whose management is limited due to their size and/or the difficulty of knowing their ownership, constitute a large number of hectares that can add value to rural areas, for which administrations, owners and other agents involved must work together in the innovative implementation of solutions. The Rustic Property Management Platform is a web tool designed to facilitate the management of rustic plots, both agricultural and forestry, and help their owners to manage their plots, as well as to contact other owners with whom they want to interact either by associating or through the purchase, sale, exchange or lease of plots. Through this platform you will be able to administer the management of your rustic plots, both agricultural and forestry, as well as to get in touch with other owners with whom you want to interact either by joining or by buying, selling, exchanging or leasing plots. The tool allows: (1) Carry out an inventory, stock and profitability analysis of an owner's rustic holdings through tabular and geographical consultation tools in a map viewer. (2) Promote the exchange or swapping of properties that favors their grouped management. Register plots of land in a rural holdings registration service. (3) Access a service for the generation of agreements for the transfer, custody, rental or lease of rural real estate between owners or managers. (4) Access information on fire risk and territorial zoning (regional, municipal or other) that may affect forestry treatments, exploitation and/or post-fire restoration, as well as funding through subsidies or aid in relation to this zoning. (5) Obtain information about forest fire damage coverage. (6) Obtain information on the times of danger with a view to regulating uses and requesting permits. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilisation FOREST4EU partner: Cesefor OG: PROMINIFUN OG’s country: Spain Type of Innovation: Technological innovation Specifically, the user would be able to: (1)-Access cadastral rustic plots of land throughout Spain to: Register the plots of your property, create holdings by grouping your plots to manage them more easily and create groupings of owners to manage your plots together. (2) Access the Plot Announcement Service: Where you can create advertisements to buy, sell, lease or exchange plots of land, you can also create announcements to form groups of owners, access the ads of other registered owners and get in touch with them to make transactions. (3) Access the geographic viewer with information about your plot: Current vegetation, suitability of your plot for other vegetation, potential assessment of the profitability of your plot, fire risk, regulations and protected areas. Lessons learned The atomisation of land ownership and the need for a tool, to facilitate the management of these plots, makes it necessary to develop a digital tool to help facilitate this management. The smallholding management platform proposes a range of innovative solutions, such as having prior information on the characteristics of the plots in terms of their dendrometric possibilities and productive potential. The platform incorporates the possibility of grouping plots from different owners and being able to be managed as a group of producers or owners. However, in order to be used, it is necessary to add forestry references and to be able to document forestry operations under forest planning instruments. Therefore, there is a need to develop the appropriate software for the tool, enabling the management of these plots according to the technical management plans or associated forestry references. It is also necessary to extend the tool, making it possible to have all the spatial information of the management plans available. In the agricultural field, the tool needs to develop a digital version of the field notebook as an additional utility. Finally, a mobile application with offline functionality is necessary to complete its implementation. The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://gestion.minifundio.es/ Roberto Rubio, Project coordinator, Cesefor, e-mail: roberto.rub[email protected] Website Growing Stock Volume Map to support forest operation planning Introduction To effectively plan forest operations and optimize resource allocation, it is of most importance to map the Growing Stock Volume (m3/ha) within a specific area. This information plays a critical role in conducting economic evaluations of forest operations and supporting forest management planning. Traditionally, acquiring such data has involved labor-intensive and expensive fieldwork, posing a significant burden, especially for small-scale forest owners. However, recent advancements in research have yielded remarkable progress in developing modeling and prediction techniques that leverage freely available data sources like the National Forest Inventory and Remote Sensing Data. These approaches enable the creation of accurate and detailed maps of Growing Stock Volume. These maps hold tremendous value for forest operation planning and have been successfully implemented throughout the Tuscany Region as part of the GO-SURF initiative. By utilizing data from the National Forest Inventory plots and open-access Landsat imagery, a high-resolution map of Growing Stock Volume has been generated for all regions in Tuscany, boasting a spatial resolution of 23 m x 23 m. This technological leap not only reduces the costs associated with data acquisition but also grants small forest owners, who typically face limited budgets for field campaigns, access to this invaluable information. Additionally, forest companies seeking suitable forests for logging purposes can benefit significantly from these comprehensive maps. The resulting map is conveniently accessible through a Decision Support System Platform, empowering users to query the data through interactive tools like drawing or uploading polygons. The way to query the data was co-designed with farmers, forest owners, forest managers and forest company in order to be sure to fit their needs. This type of query the Growing Stock Map though the platform facilitates direct extraction of reports and geographic data, streamlining decision-making processes and elevating overall forest management practices. By leveraging these advancements, stakeholders can make informed choices and ensure the sustainable management of forest resources. ITHub 1 - Wood Mobilization FOREST4EU partner: UNIFI OG: SURF OG’s country: Italy Type of Innovation: Service The access to the Growing Stock map though the DSS can bring several benefits for Tuscany Forest Sector, including improved resource allocation, enhanced operational efficiency, better risk management, and the ability to plan and implement sustainable forest management practices also in small forest owners proprieties that usually are abandoned. In this sense the map in the next years can be used to develop efficient and sustainable wood mobilization practices that are essential to ensure a continuous supply of timber and wood products while minimizing environmental impacts. The maps can be used also to identify productive areas that can be used to build new wood value-chains that are not well organized in Tuscany forest sectors. Lessons learned An interesting lesson learned from GO-SURF is that it is possible to introduce digital tools in the forestry sector of Tuscany. The introduction of the GO-SURF Growing Stock map occurred in a context where stakeholders were not accustomed to using digital tools. However, the co-designed platform has facilitated access to the Growing Stock Map. Moreover, analyzing the daily access to the DSS platform, we have observed a continuous increase in usage (from an average of 10 users per month in the first month to 40 users per month currently). Accessing the map does not require users to have knowledge of complex models and algorithms used in its generation. In fact, users are not required to have knowledge of remote sensing data or national inventory data. Users are provided with the specific product they need and are interested in, which is the map of Growing Stock Volume. As suggested by forest owners, managers, and companies involved in the co-design of the platform, the Growing Stock Volume map allows for a better understanding of wood resources within an area and is useful for assessing forest operations and management activities in a sustainable way. Figure 1. Overview of the digital platform. For further information contact Francesca Giannetti, Assistant Professor, University of Florence, Italy, e-mail: [email protected] The information presented in this factsheet was developed by the FOREST4EU partner, drawing on the innovations and knowledge generated by the indicated operational group with their explicit authorization. Further information Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project [email protected] https://www.go-surf.it/ Website FOREST4EU Project FOREST4EU Project forest4eu.eu [email protected] THE TEAM Funded by the European Union (Grant n. 101086216). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. 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