Forest biomass burned for energy purposes does not need to be accounted for under IPCC rules. This has led to a number of countries considering tree stump harvesting as a source of forest biomass. However there are concerns that the soil disturbance that this may entail could have adverse environmental effects, including the loss of sequestered carbon from the soil. Published results differ in the degree and nature of stump harvesting soil disturbance. Two widely used measures employed in stump harvesting soil disturbance studies are visual assessment of disturbance extent and bulk density measures of the nature of disturbance. Each of these has limitations. This study seeks to extend the insight into both the nature and extent of soil disturbance resulting from stump harvesting by the application of additional techniques. In this way the physical effects of soil disturbance by stump harvesting will be compared with those of other forestry practices. To overcome the two-dimensional and subjective nature of visual assessment, a radiometric approach was adopted, utilising residual Chernobyl 137Cs fallout to determine the degree of soil mixing. To complement bulk density measurements, micromorphological analyses of soil thin sections taken from field samples were carried out to investigate the impact of compressive force on pore space. Low-cost tracer devices were deployed in the soil around stumps prior to extraction to permit the monitoring of the lateral movement of soil during stump extraction. These methods were applied to a stump harvesting operation carried out under current UK guidance at a UPM Tilhill managed site in south west Scotland. The radiometric method demonstrated its capacity to recognise differing degrees of soil disturbance in an operational forest environment, including some disturbance that might escape visual assessment. Analysis of soil thin sections provided the evidence of a significant increase in the pore capacity of disturbed soil. The soil movement tracers developed for this project provided the capability to examine the various trajectories of soil during stump extraction as well as dimensioning the resulting disturbance crater. The study indicated that under current UK management and operational practice, stump harvesting generated a higher level of soil disturbance compared to ground preparation by trench mounding, with an estimated 1260 m3 ha-1 of soil disturbed by stump harvesting compared to 250 m3 ha-1 from trench mounding. Stump harvesting was found to generate a net reduction in soil bulk density in the affected areas, contrary to the findings of some other studies. This outcome is dependent on adhering to particular site management and operational procedures. The practice of raking over the site following stump harvesting is estimated to add a further 10% to the volume of soil disturbed, and is a questionable activity under soil sustainability guidance. This work was part-funded and actively supported by the UK Forestry Commission and UPM Tilhill.

Os tocos, remanescentes da colheita florestal, causam um impedimento físico às operações com máquinas para o preparo do solo para um próximo plantio, ou mesmo quando a área onde estava sendo cultivado o eucalipto vai ser usada para o plantio de uma nova cultura ou estabelecer pastagem para pecuária. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar e avaliar o desempenho de uma serra tubular para a extração de tocos de eucalipto remanescentes da colheita. Este implemento, montado em uma grua hidráulica acoplada a um trator agrícola, é constituído de um tubo metálico com borda serrilhada, com diâmetro de 65 cm e altura interna de 70 cm, realizando o corte do sistema radicular e a extração apenas do toco e raízes próximas. O processo de extração com serra tubular foi comparado à extração de tocos com uma escavadora hidráulica equipada com destocador. Para a comparação entre o desempenho da serra tubular com a escavadora, foram realizadas extrações em quatro parcelas, com 108 tocos cada, sendo duas parcelas para cada sistema. Foram mensurados o tempo de extração para cada toco e o tempo de deslocamento das máquinas em cada parcela. O processo de extração pela serra tubular causou menos alterações na estrutura do solo, nas linhas e nas entrelinhas de plantio, se comparado ao uso da escavadora, porém o tempo de extração da serra foi superior em mais de 8 vezes ao tempo da escavadora. Foram realizadas extrações de tocos com DAB (diâmetros a altura da base) variando entre 12 e 31 cm, sendo que o tempo de extração não apresentou diferenças significativas entre os diferentes diâmetros para ambos os tratamentos. A serra tubular apresentou pouca mobilidade e pouca área de atuação em cada parada, contrariando as expectativas do projeto inicial. As análises econômicas mostraram custo operacional superior para a escavadora hidráulica, porém com maior produtividade comparado à serra tubular, resultando em menor custo de extração por unidade de toco. / The stumps, remained from forest harvesting, cause a physical impediment to operations with machinery for soil preparation to the next plantation, or even when the area that had eucalyptus plantation will be used to plant a new crop or establish pasture for livestock. This paper aim to study and evaluate the performance of a tubular saw for the extraction of Eucalyptus stumps remaining after the harvesting. This accessory mounted on a hydraulic crane, attached to a farm tractor, consists of a metal tube with a serrated edge, with a diameter of 65 cm. and internal height of 70 cm., making the cut root and extract only the stump and close roots. The extraction process with tubular saw was compared with an excavator equipped with a stump remover. The extractions were performed in two plots and two parcels with 108 stumps on each for both systems. It was measured the extraction time for each stump and moving time during the extractions. The extraction process by tubular saw caused less soil disturbance on its structure on planting lines and between the planting lines, compared with the excavator use, but the extraction time with the tubular saw was more than five times compared to the excavators extraction. The extractions were performed on stumps with different DAB (diameter at base height), ranging between 12 to 31 cm, and the extraction time showed no significant differences between the different diameters for both treatments. The tubular saw had little mobility and low operating area at each stop, contrary to the expectations of the initial Project. Economic analyzes showed higher operational cost for the hydraulic excavator, but higher productivity compared to tubular saw on a farm tractor, resulting in lower extraction cost per stump.

Os tocos, remanescentes da colheita florestal, causam um impedimento físico às operações com máquinas para o preparo do solo para um próximo plantio, ou mesmo quando a área onde estava sendo cultivado o eucalipto vai ser usada para o plantio de uma nova cultura ou estabelecer pastagem para pecuária. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar e avaliar o desempenho de uma serra tubular para a extração de tocos de eucalipto remanescentes da colheita. Este implemento, montado em uma grua hidráulica acoplada a um trator agrícola, é constituído de um tubo metálico com borda serrilhada, com diâmetro de 65 cm e altura interna de 70 cm, realizando o corte do sistema radicular e a extração apenas do toco e raízes próximas. O processo de extração com serra tubular foi comparado à extração de tocos com uma escavadora hidráulica equipada com destocador. Para a comparação entre o desempenho da serra tubular com a escavadora, foram realizadas extrações em quatro parcelas, com 108 tocos cada, sendo duas parcelas para cada sistema. Foram mensurados o tempo de extração para cada toco e o tempo de deslocamento das máquinas em cada parcela. O processo de extração pela serra tubular causou menos alterações na estrutura do solo, nas linhas e nas entrelinhas de plantio, se comparado ao uso da escavadora, porém o tempo de extração da serra foi superior em mais de 8 vezes ao tempo da escavadora. Foram realizadas extrações de tocos com DAB (diâmetros a altura da base) variando entre 12 e 31 cm, sendo que o tempo de extração não apresentou diferenças significativas entre os diferentes diâmetros para ambos os tratamentos. A serra tubular apresentou pouca mobilidade e pouca área de atuação em cada parada, contrariando as expectativas do projeto inicial. As análises econômicas mostraram custo operacional superior para a escavadora hidráulica, porém com maior produtividade comparado à serra tubular, resultando em menor custo de extração por unidade de toco. / The stumps, remained from forest harvesting, cause a physical impediment to operations with machinery for soil preparation to the next plantation, or even when the area that had eucalyptus plantation will be used to plant a new crop or establish pasture for livestock. This paper aim to study and evaluate the performance of a tubular saw for the extraction of Eucalyptus stumps remaining after the harvesting. This accessory mounted on a hydraulic crane, attached to a farm tractor, consists of a metal tube with a serrated edge, with a diameter of 65 cm. and internal height of 70 cm., making the cut root and extract only the stump and close roots. The extraction process with tubular saw was compared with an excavator equipped with a stump remover. The extractions were performed in two plots and two parcels with 108 stumps on each for both systems. It was measured the extraction time for each stump and moving time during the extractions. The extraction process by tubular saw caused less soil disturbance on its structure on planting lines and between the planting lines, compared with the excavator use, but the extraction time with the tubular saw was more than five times compared to the excavators extraction. The extractions were performed on stumps with different DAB (diameter at base height), ranging between 12 to 31 cm, and the extraction time showed no significant differences between the different diameters for both treatments. The tubular saw had little mobility and low operating area at each stop, contrary to the expectations of the initial Project. Economic analyzes showed higher operational cost for the hydraulic excavator, but higher productivity compared to tubular saw on a farm tractor, resulting in lower extraction cost per stump.