Improved forecasts of logging residues for precision planning

Today’s geopolitical situation and roadmaps towards fossil freedom have increased the demand for domestic forest fuels in Sweden. There is an ecological potential to increase the removal of logging residues (tops and branches from final fellings) from today’s approximately 9 TWh to 24 TWh per year. The development is hindered amongst other factors by low profitability.

This project’s overall aim is to increase the precision of planning of logging residues production and increase their extraction – the Swedish security of supply. The project plans to

1. further develop a system to forecast logging residues volumes,
2. estimate regional potentials,
3. develop a decision support for safer choice of logging site,
4. quantity forest fuel volume from lodgepole pine stands and
5. tailor existing models for moisture content forecast.

Results will improve supply chain planning and management, reduce carbon footprint, soil damage, and make forest fuel production more profitable and sustainable.