Life cycle assessment of wood chips supply chain in Serbia

Abstract

Two most common systems of forest biomass supply chains in Serbia are evaluated by using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach: 'cut-to-length' system with penduculate oak (CLO) on flat terrains with a tractor equipage, and 'tree-length' system with moesian beech (TLB) on more steep terrains, with a skidder. The main focus is put on the fuel consumption and its environmental impact on various stages of wood chips supply chain. Results indicate chipping as a most environmentally burdensome due to the low process productivity and high diesel combustion in outdated machines. CLO system exhibits lower environmental burden due to the 2%-35% lower impact in six out of eleven analysed impact categories compared to the TLB. The main reason is the skidding performed on a more steep terrain with a more powerful machine consuming more diesel than the tractor equipage. The higher impact of the felling operation in CLO system is caused by additional time for processing short oak assortments. The evaluated environmental impacts are consequence of the machinery old age used in Serbian forests. The application of a modern, energy efficient, combined machines such as harvesters and forwarders is recommended though it could have a lot of drawbacks.