Spatial exploration, dendrometric characteristics and prediction models of wood production in a stand of Acacia schaffneri in Durango, Mexico

Degraded vegetation is the result of a process that affects structural and functional characteristics. Tree species from the Acacia genus are very important to the ecosystem in semi-arid lands due to their participation in the recovery of highly degraded areas. One of the most important species among this genus is A. schaffneri. The status of a forest stand is determined according to its structure, including height, stratum and density. Remote sensing is a valuable method for estimating volumetric stocks and associated changes in forest populations over established periods of time. The objective of this research was to estimate wood volume of A. schaffneri using remote sensing, and to complement that information with the results obtained from an estimation method based on forest measurements. The results obtained showed that the crown area was the dendrometric variable that can be used in a wood volume prediction model. In the exploratory analysis between dendrometric variables and remote sensing showed low and negative associations were observed in the four stations analyzed. There are conservation problems due to anthropogenic activities, among which stands out the intensive grazing that results in a decrease of the natural regeneration capacity of Acacia schaffneri.

Regional Clusters, Similarities, and Changes in Turkey’s Wood Production

This study aimed to separate the wood production in regions and provinces of Turkey into homogeneous groups based on similarities by using the country’s wood production figures for 2013 and 2018. Within this context, the hierarchical Ward’s and non-hierarchical K-means clustering methods were used comparatively. Clustering analyses of 2 to 6 in number were performed via both methods, and the same regions mostly fell into the same cluster groups, although in different cluster combinations. The results showed that some provinces with rich forest areas did not produce enough wood. It was observed that these provinces were in the same clusters with provinces having a low amount of forest areas and low wood production. Over the five-year period, very few provinces and regions differed in line with the previous development plans. The creation of a spatial database for wood raw material production using the findings obtained in this study will contribute to the development of operational inventory methods that can be included in long- and medium-term forestry plans.

Availability and Environmental Performance of Wood for a Second-Generation Biorefinery

The current global climate change, the 2030 Agenda, and the planetary boundaries have driven new development strategies, such as the circular economy, bioeconomy, and biorefineries. In this framework, this study analyzes the potential availability and sustainability of the wood supply chain for a small-scale biorefinery aiming at producing 280–300 L of bioethanol per ton of dry biomass, consuming 30,000 t of dry biomass per year harvested in a 50 km radius. This wood production goal was assessed from Eucalyptus grandis stands planted for solid wood in northeastern Uruguay. Moreover, to understand the environmental performance of this biomass supply chain, the energy return on investment (EROI), carbon footprint (CF), and potential soil erosion were also assessed. The results showed that the potential wood production would supply an average of 81,800 t of dry mass per year, maintaining the soil erosion below the upper threshold recommended, an EROI of 2.3, and annual CF of 1.22 kg CO2−eq m−3 (2.6 g CO2−eq MJ−1). Combined with the environmental performance of the bioethanol biorefinery facility, these results would show acceptable values of sustainability according to EU Directive 2009/28/ec because the bioethanol CF becomes 1.7% of this petrol’s CF.

Marketing strategy of wood production in Palopo

In natural forest management, efforts are made to increase the types of products so that natural forests can provide all types of results they contain for the welfare of the community. The needs of the timber industry and in accordance with the needs of the surrounding community to increase the production of wood from forests, both from natural forests and plantation forests, are adjusted to the ability of the forest to produce sustainably. The research aims to formulate what can be done to increase sales of wood production in finished form at UD. X based on market conditions. The condition of the company, the physical condition of the area, capital, market, facilities, and infrastructure and are expected to be information material for UD. X in preventing the problems faced, especially regarding the marketing of wood for the future. The data obtained will be analyzed by tabulation and percentage accompanied by descriptive analysis. The data analyzed by tabulation are the number of supporting industries and economic institutions, while those analyzed by tabulation and percentage are the origin of the workforce, the status of the workforce, and the education level of the workforce. Furthermore, for the preparation of a strategic plan, the data will be entered into a SWOT worksheet. SWOT analysis shows several conditions such as SO: Utilizing the location of X UD, which is quite strategic, and the availability of manpower where the placement is in accordance with the level of education that can support increasing sales, other regions can help with the provision of raw materials, institutions economy which also helps in borrowing capital, the demand for frames is quite high, the existence of IHPK, the existence of transportation and other supporting facilities and infrastructure, as well as the opening of local and foreign marketing opportunities. ST: Taking advantage of the strategic location of UD X and the availability of manpower where the placement is in accordance with the level of education will be able to prevent increasingly fierce competition among trading businesses and with higher products. WO: Efforts to improve the location were not through the promotion of the lack of capital conditions, economic institutions that help in providing capital, raw material providers, opening up local and foreign marketing, availability of IHPK, high demand for frames, and availability of transportation facilities and infrastructure that support activities. To increase the trading business of UD X, an organizational structure should be formed so that all activities are not only regulated by the leader. It is better to do promotions either through print or electronic media because promotion is a tool that can increase sales results and volume.

Availability and Environmental Performance of Wood for a Second-Generation Biorefinery

The current Global Climate Change, the 2030 Agenda and the Planetary boundaries have driven new development strategies, such as the circular economy, bioeconomy and biorefineries. In this framework, this study analyzes the potential availability and sustainability of the wood supply chain for a small-scale biorefinery aiming at producing 280–300 L of bioethanol per ton dry biomass, consuming 30,000 t of dry biomass per year harvested in a 50 km radius. This wood production goal was assessed from Eucalyptus grandis stands planted for solid wood in northeastern Uruguay. Moreover, to understand the environmental performance of this biomass supply chain, the energy return on investment (EROI), carbon footprint (CF) and potential soil erosion were also assessed. The results showed that the potential wood production would supply an average of 81,800 t of dry mass per year, maintaining the soil erosion below the upper threshold recommended, an EROI of 2.3 and annual CF of 1.22 kg CO2-eq m–3 (2.6 g CO2-eq MJ–1). Combined with the environmental performance of the bioethanol biorefinery facility, these results would show acceptable values of sustainability according to EU Directive 2009/28/ec because the bioethanol CF becomes 1.7% of this petrol’s CF.

CHARACTERIZATION OF PAULOWNIA TOMENTOSA STEUD TREES GROWN IN A 5-YEAR-OLD PLANTATION IN COSTA RICA

Paulownia tomentosa is utilized in Costa Rica and other countries for wood production and as feedstock for biomass, though the variation of wood properties for this species is scarcely known. In this work, the specific wood properties of a 5-year-old plantation in Costa Rica were studied. The results showed that bark and pith percentage and wood specific gravity (SG) increased with tree trunk height, while the proportion of heartwood, green wood density and green wood moisture content decreased. The average wood SG was 0.26 and tended to increase from pith to bark. Low wood SG values are related to low mechanical properties, with the advantage that wood shrinkage is low as well, which gives this wood species the potential to be utilized for reforestation purposes in Costa Rica. The gross calorific value of this species was 17809 kJ/kg, which, together with its cellulose and extractives contents, recommend P. tomentosa as a biomass source for energy production.