Study objectives were 1) to identify successful mechanized thinning and prelogging systems currently operating in the South, 2) to document system characteristics contributing to their success, and 3) to determine which factors affect levels of residual stand damage from thinning operations. The first objective was accomplished by a South-wide industry survey. The latter two objectives were realized through in-depth field studies of selected systems. The survey indicated three system types used on small-tree operations. Feller-buncher/grapple skidder/hydraulic loader systems comprised the majority of operations described. No predictable relationships between system type and tree size were apparent, so examples of the most common type were chosen for detailed study. Three thinning and three prelogging systems were selected, covering a range of ownership patterns and physiographic regions. Information was obtained pertaining to each system's application; crew organization and background; equipment spread and descriptions; performance; and special considerations provided by landowners or timber buyers. Residual stand damage cruises were conducted at each thinning operation's job site. Case-by-case analyses and comparisons between systems based on economic and productivity criteria resulted in a number of recommendations. These suggestions represented system characteristics seen as keys to the success of the operations studied. The recommendations focused on desirable contractor and crew characteristics, equipment selection decisions, job layout, minimization of residual stand damage, and methods of landowner/timber buyer support for small-tree operations. / M.S.

In order to assess the potential of increased mechanization of harvesting functions in Nepal, surveys and field of present system were made to provide a basis for evaluation. From this information the cost of production of manual harvesting functions were compared to the cost of mechanized functions. The analyses of cost for mechanized functions were made using a mathematical model to predict the cost of production per cubic feet. The analysis predicted that: Cost of production in felling, bucking, and limbing by chainsaw is made economical than the manual operation by axe and cross-cut saw. Skidding of logs by a rubber tired cable skidder (JD 440 C) is costly. However, its potential can be considered for the hill region because a manual skidding is difficult there. A farm tractor could be economical for a skidding distance of 200-300 feet in the terai. The cost of loading and unloading of logs with a hydraulic knuckle boom truck mounted loader (Prentice 110) is economical. Implementation of mechanized harvesting will be feasible only, if arrangements are made to train operators, provide supplies and service for machine, provide for unemployment, improve machine utilization, and generate the capital needed for equipment purchases. / M.S.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rhodes University, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Apr. 12, 2007). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Supervisors: Kenneth E. Gray and Carlos Torres-Verdín Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 52 p. : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-52).

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2001. Graduate Programme in Geography. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-100). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ66402.

Not available / text

Development work in the field of mineral borehole logging was made in the areas of instrumentation, field testing, data processing and interpretation. / Instrumentation work included a VLF logging tool compatible with a field digital computer configured to perform log instrumentation control, numerical data acquisition and recording together with video screen graphic display. Significant improvements in the overall precision and reliability of the logging operation has been realized through the use of digital technology. / The field tests included the measurements of the following parameters: electrical resistivity, induced polarization, spontaneous polarization, electromagnetic field ratio and phase difference and temperature. The tests were performed for a wide variety of environments and targets including massive and disseminated sulfides, structural problems, coal and gold fields on properties located in Eastern Canada from Sudbury to Cape Breton Island. / The interpretation of the data yields information complementing core information such as detection of materials with some electric property contrast, localization of off-hole mineralization both in massive and disseminated form and determination of absolute value of specific in-situ rock physical properties. A better understanding of several underground processes (such as SP, uniform field induction, etc.) has resulted from the project.

Over the past 30 years in Western Australia (WA), there has been a heated debate about the future use of the remaining temperate old-growth forests of karri and jarrah in the south-west of the State. This debate revolved around policy proposals from two social movements: one social movement wanted to preserve as much of the remaining old-growth forests as possible, and an opposing social movement supported a continued ‘sustainable’ logging of the forests for hardwood products. This research project undertook a comparative case study analysis of Australia (TCA) on the pro-logging side and Liberals For Forests (LFF) on the anti-logging side. It drew on a macro-level European theoretical approach (New Social Movement theory) and a US organizational approach (Resource Mobilisation Theory). The study also investigated the extent to which these two social movement organisations (SMOs) had been effective in Over the past 30 years in Western Australia (WA), there has been a heated debate about the future use of the remaining temperate old-growth forests of karri and jarrah in the south-west of the State. This debate revolved around policy proposals from two social movements: one social movement wanted to preserve as much of the remaining old-growth forests as possible, and an opposing social movement supported a continued ‘sustainable’ logging of the forests for hardwood products. This research project undertook a comparative case study analysis of one WA organisation from each of these two social movements- Timber Communities Australia (TCA) on the pro-logging side and Liberals For Forests (LFF) on the anti-logging side. It drew on a macro-level European theoretical approach (New Social Movement theory) and a US organizational approach (Resource Mobilisation Theory). The study also investigated the extent to which these two social movement organisations (SMOs) had been effective in influencing the development of State forest policy. For this purpose Schumaker’s (1975) framework for judging the political effectiveness of social movements was used. The key research problem investigated in this thesis is why these two SMOs continued to debate the forest policy issue after more than 30 years of public controversy? Interviews with a key range of stakeholders were the key research method of this study. Additionally, an investigation into important economic and social changes in the south west was undertaken using census and other data between 1971 and 2001 and this was supported by an historical analysis of the timber industry in WA’s south west. Finally, a 3-year study of the reporting of forest issues by two local and one national newspaper was completed. The 1998-2000 period was chosen for the newspaper analysis as this was when the new Regional Forest Agreement was being finalised. This research shows that new values toward the old-growth forests developed among the WA public over the past 30 years and this has created an unbridgeable policy gap between those such as the TCA who wanted the past policies to continue and those such as the LFF who wanted to preserve the remaining native forests. ABS data confirm that the south-west region of WA changed dramatically between 1970 and 2000 as the wine and tourism industries developed and that these changes were different to those occurring in the other wine regions and non-city areas of Australia. As the population increased in this region, a key segment attracted by these new employment opportunities were middle class, well-educated people with new values toward the natural environment. The interview and newspaper article data clearly showed that the debate in WA in the late 1990s over the proposed RFA provided a new political opportunity for the anti-logging movement to raise their concerns and to establish a renewed public debate about the appropriateness of the WA forest policies. This came at a time when the traditional policy power of the timber industry stakeholders and the government department in charge of the forests (Conservation And Land Management) had been dramatically diminished. The combination of these factors led to the election of the new ALP government and the introduction of a new, non-logging policy for WA’s old-growth native forests.