Diesel consumption and the carbon balance in South African pine clear-felling CTL operations: a preliminary case study

This study aims to determine the carbon balance of South African plantations by assessing the emissions associated with mechanised CTL harvesting and comparing these to the carbon stored in the logs harvested. The objectives are as follows:

1. Estimate diesel and lubricant consumption, CO2 emissions and carbon stored in harvested timber related to the case-study that can form baseline estimates for machine costing and harvest planning.
2. Determine whether tree size, stand density and/or ground condition are significant predictors or diesel and lubricant consumption rates for the harvester.