Ocena wpływu wybranych zabiegów hodowlanych i typów siedliskowych lasu na koszt pozyskania surowca drzewnego w czyszczeniach i trzebieżach

Integrating the economic aspects of forest management (cost) with ecological elements of timber production (habitat type) significantly contributes to a better understanding of forest growth and utilisation. The type of silvicultural treatments and forest habitat types determine number of economic activities carried out in the stands and have an important impact on the associated costs. The aim of the study was to describe the impact of silviculture treatments and types of forest habitat on unit timber harvesting cost. We summarised the cost of timber logging depending on the harvest practices and types of habitats. In total, costs of treatments performed on the 2.5 thousand ha area were analysed. Obtained results were combined in relation to average unit costs of raw timber logging from individual habitats and silviculture treatments such as late cleanings and thinnings. The studied impact was assessed with standard deviation (SD) based on the assumption that the higher its value, the more important role of silvicultural treatments and forest habitats in defining the cost of raw timber harvesting. Our study showed that both factors (type of forest habitat and silvicultural treatment) had an effect on variability of timber logging costs. Comparing deciduous and coniferous habitats, higher costs were reported for the latter one. The highest unit cost of timber logging was found on the fresh coniferous habitat, while the lowest on the wet mixed forest. Moreover, the highest cost was reported for timber raw material harvested from late cleanings and the lowest from late thinnings. SD of the average cost of timber harvest ranged from 12.67 to 13.53 PLN depending on the silviculture treatments and from 0.68 to 2.39 PLN depending on the forest type. Our findings are important preliminary steps in broader study regarding revenues generated from forest stands growing on different habitats. Eventually it would help in assessing the profitability of economic activity that depends on environmental conditions of forest management.