Forests, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(4), P. 673 - 673

Published: April 12, 2025

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of disturbances, calling for extensive salvage logging operations. This study examines fully mechanized cut-to-length operations in northeastern Italian Alps as a response to windthrow bark beetle outbreaks following Storm Vaia. Using high-resolution orthophotos, trail extent, density, configuration were analyzed relation terrain ecological sensitivity. A total 29 forest sites, covering worksite area 1078 hectares, analyzed, with combined length exceeding 700 km. Results indicate an average density 500 m/ha, machine-trafficked percentage 22%. Terrain analysis revealed that 68% was below 30% slope, facilitating machinery operations, while 32% site required adaptive strategies steeper terrain. Additionally, depth-to-water maps implemented assess sensitive zones according different moisture conditions, revealing one-fifth trafficked at higher risk soil disturbances due potentially high levels. provides critical baseline data on effects large scale, offering insights future data-driven decision making efficient planning under sustainable management.

Language: Английский