Efficient Technologies for Harvesting and Reutilizing Logging Residues in Russia: A Sustainable Forestry Approach

This article explores the use of logging residues in forestry to reduce the risk of fires, prepare areas for planting new trees, and use them as a valuable resource for the production of wood biofuels.While traditional methods of logging residue disposal include incineration in piles or swaths, this study examines an alternative approach known as the continuous slash-and-burn method.This method, although limited to firehazardous periods due to the use of paraffin, has such advantages as minimal thermal damage to the soil and accelerated decomposition of felling residues.The residues are charred rather than burned completely, increasing soil fertilisation and reducing fire hazard.This feature makes them less attractive to insect pests.Modern logging companies increasingly prefer efficient logging equipment instead of gasoline saws since the former improves the management of logging residues.Manual collection of residues on large stumps allows for forming larger piles.However, this method creates problems when transporting them to processing centers, for example, to upper storage sites.Therefore, the development of innovative transportation methods is a promising direction for further research.Thus, logging residues is a raw material, which is primarily valuable for the production of wood biofuels.Energy efficiency in the collection, processing, and transportation of these residues is crucial for their practical use.The consumed energy should be lower than the energy content of the residues, ensuring the feasibility of converting them into wood biofuels.