Speaker
Description
In thinning operations in rotation forestry, reasonable thinning intensity is key to ensuring favorable development of the stand in terms of sawlog yield, growth loss, and carbon sequestration. In recent years, realized thinning intensities in the Nordic countries have often violated recommended limits, and operators have voiced their desire for decision support and reporting assistance in thinnings. As a response, we present here a new concept, named R-TIM, for real-time monitoring of thinning intensity. R-TIM is based on collecting a remote sensing-based single-tree map of the stand prior to harvesting, constituting a digital twin of the forest. The twin is then kept up to date during the harvesting via matching harvested trees with their counterparts in the tree map using regular harvester measurements and crane-tip localization. Thinning intensity metrics are computed, in real time, for removed tree stock from the harvester data, and for standing stock from the digital twin. We present a case study and evaluation of R-TIM in Finland using real forest data and simulations built on top of these. In addition, we discuss future directions of development and broader implications of the R-TIM concept.
| Keywords | operator-assistance; thinning; cut-to-length; simulations |
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