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Journal of the Forestry (Šumarski list), Vol. 139 No. 1-2, 2015.

Original scientific paper

GIS BASED METHODS FOR COMPUTING THE MEAN EXTRACTION DISTANCE AND ITS CORRECTION FACTORS IN ROMANIAN MOUNTAIN FORESTS

Adrian Enache ; Institute of Forest Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
Tibor Pentek ; Faculty of Forestry, University of Zagreb
Valentina Doina Ciobanu ; aculty of Silviculture and Forest Engineering, Transilvania University of Braşov, Romania
Karl Stampfer ; Institute of Forest Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

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Abstract

Extraction distance is an important factor used for locating new forest roads. Correction factors should be used for adapting theoretical models to real life situations. The aim of this study was to show how extraction distance and the correction factors can be computed and used for assessing forest road options in a more efficient and effective mann­er using process automation in GIS. The study was located in a mountain forest in the South Central Carpathians of Romania. For determining the mean extraction distance, 71.5 km of skid trails were tracked in the field and mapped in GIS. Four computing methods were defined: raster method, grid point method, buffer strips method and centre of gravity method. For testing and validating the methods, four infrastructure scenarios were defined: one was describing the existing forest infrastructure and three others were proposing new road options. Statistical analyses were performed for testing the accuracy and the possible differences between methods. The paired samples t-tests revealed significant differences between scenarios proposing new forest roads and the current infrastructure conditions. The raster method, the grid point method and the buffer strip method reported high accuracy for computing the mean extraction distance. This study reported an extraction correction factor (ks) value of 1.50 and a total correction factor (kt) value of 3.40 which can be used for rough calculations in practice. The automation models developed in GIS improved the efficiency of computations. The correction factors determined in this study were comparable with those reported in literature, highlighting the reliability of the analysed methods.

Keywords

mean extraction distance; forest roads; road network planning; model; process automation; GIS

Hrčak ID:

137361

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/137361

Publication date:

28.2.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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