Comparing Tree Selection as Performed by Different Professional Figures

Raffaele Spinelli; Natascia Magagnotti; Luigi Pari; Michel Soucy

doi:10.5849/forsci.15-062

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Comparing Tree Selection as Performed by Different Professional Figures

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Comparing Tree Selection as Performed by Different Professional Figures

Raffaele Spinelli, Natascia Magagnotti, Luigi Pari and Michel Soucy

Forest Science, Vol.62(2), pp.213-219

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5849/forsci.15-062

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Abstract

cost

forester

logger

logging

tree marking

The study compared the silvicultural results of individual tree selection as performed by licensed foresters, loggers, and licensed agronomists. The experiment was conducted on two tree marking training sites installed by the Regional Forest administration for Lombardy in the northern Italian mountains. Each site consisted of a 1.2-acre (0.5-ha) forest plot where all trees had been identified with painted numbers. Sixty-four volunteers were extracted from a larger pool representing licensed foresters, loggers, and licensed agronomists. Each volunteer was provided with simple paper forms on which he or she would note the identification number of each tree selected for removal. All volunteers were asked to apply the same silvicultural prescription. Statistical analysis of the results indicated no differences between the different professional groups. Most participants reached the prescribed percent removals and consistently selected the right tree size for two different silvicultural treatments. On the other hand, differences between single individuals were quite substantial, possibly reflecting different practical experience with tree marking. Overall, the study suggests that the quality of tree selection is not determined by the group an individual belongs to. Therefore, one may consider delegating tree selection to a properly trained logger, especially if the silvicultural prescription is relatively straightforward.

Details

Title: Comparing Tree Selection as Performed by Different Professional Figures
Authors: Raffaele Spinelli (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Natascia Magagnotti (Author) - CNR IVALSA, Italy
Luigi Pari (Author) - CREA ING, Italy
Michel Soucy (Author) - University of Moncton, Canada
Publication details: Forest Science, Vol.62(2), pp.213-219
Publisher: Society of American Foresters
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.5849/forsci.15-062
ISSN: 0015-749X
Copyright note: Copyright © 2016 The Authors. The author's accepted version is reproduced here in accordance with the publisher's copyright policy. The final definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.5849/forsci.15-062
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449389302621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Forestry

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