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Agricultural and food sciences
- Forestry sciences
From the field observations during TWOL assignment '' Validation and Optimization bosvriendelijke timber exploitation in Flanders' found that many Flemish forest soils have been compacted and soil recovery after logging usually takes a very long time. This gave rise to make the recommendation more urgent use of bosvriendelijke expoitatiemethoden, such as, for example, fixed clearance of slopes and winch. However, from the sensitization part in this project showed that the knowledge of and willingness to use such methods are often missing or very limited. Applying these new technologies mainly poses a problem in files (heavy) hardwood because of the often complex conditions (heavy trees, fragile soils, steep slopes). It was also suggested by many operators such methods often involve a financial and physical burden themselves or require a lot more time, while so far not financially compensated. According to the operating sector is in this respect much more need for communication and consultation with the administrator and a clear assessment framework to enable proper operations and keep the sector in a healthy financial state. The objective is therefore to create an overview of the operating methods are suitable through literature study and field visits to specific circumstances. It is mainly focused on the exploitation of (heavy) hardwood in the current Flemish circumstances, in other words, taking into account the often small businesses with little machinery and very limited investment opportunities. For each of the methods is given a summary of the advantages and disadvantages and possible consequences for cultivation technical, environmental and financial consequences.