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Croatian Journal of Forest Engineering : Journal for Theory and Application of Forestry Engineering, Vol. 46 No. 2, 2025.

Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.5552/crojfe.2025.3233

Practical Application of Carbon Footprint of Timber Supply Chain Using Forest Machine Data

Alexander Kaulen ; University of Freiburg Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources Chair of Forest Operations Werthmannstraße 6 79085 Freiburg GERMANY *
Dorothea Mayer orcid id orcid.org/0009-0004-1272-0555 ; German Center for Forest Work and Technology (KWF) Department of Timber Logistics and Data Management Spremberger Straße 1 64823 Groß-Umstadt GERMANY
Mark-Fabian Franz ; German Center for Forest Work and Technology (KWF) Department of Timber Logistics and Data Management Spremberger Straße 1 64823 Groß-Umstadt GERMANY
Thomas Purfürst orcid id orcid.org/0000-0001-9661-0193 ; University of Freiburg Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources Chair of Forest Operations Werthmannstraße 6 79085 Freiburg GERMANY

* Corresponding author.

Full text: english pdf 1.025 Kb

page 289-307

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Abstract

Timber harvesting tends to generate controversy in society. Some emphasize the benefits of obtaining renewable resources, while others lament the loss of forest carbon stocks and the resulting emissions. However, as long as the wood does not decompose, it continues to store carbon. Consequently, buildings and goods made of wood become carbon sinks. To illustrate this carbon storage potential, we developed an application that calculates the carbon footprint of mechanized timber harvesting using the production reporting input files »harvested production-hpr« and »machine operating monitor-mom« in the StanForD format generated by harvesters and forwarders. The »HarvestCO2-App« is a free, user-friendly web application for forest owners, machine operators/owners, and policymakers, programmed in R with an R Shiny user interface. The app aims to raise awareness of the carbon storage potential of wood use by providing a quantitative basis for discussion. The app also inquires about the conditions under which timber was harvested. By evaluating this information alongside the calculated carbon footprint, it will be possible in the medium term to conduct a sensitivity analysis of the impact of individual factors on emissions.

Keywords

timber harvest, carbon footprint, net carbon storage of timber, forestry technique, timber logistics

Hrčak ID:

333423

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/333423

Publication date:

18.7.2025.

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