Frequency and Advantages of Animal-Powered Logging for Timber Harvesting in Hungarian Nature Conservation Areas

摘要

Despite the fact that the management of forests in nature conservation areas represents a key interest in Europe, animal-powered logging is only rarely covered by scientific papers. The main aim of this study was to explore the occurrences of this practice in Hungarian nature conservation areas (i.e. that belong to IUCN Categories Ia, II or V as well as Natura 2000 SPA or SAC sites) that are owned by the state (i.e. about 75% of all the forested nature conservation areas), and compile the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of animal-powered logging according to interviews with loggers. All the Forest Districts in Hungary (116) were contacted by phone. 26% of the Forest Districts apply animal logging regularly (draft horse in every case), but only 2.6% (a mere 3 Forest Districts) own a horse stock for this purpose, while the others (27) employ contractors. 7.76% (9 Forest Districts) use animal power for skidding only occasionally and none of them own horses. All operate at least partially on nature conservation areas. Although 2.6% of the Forest Districts own a horse stock, they do not use animal power for skidding. The average animal logging operation consists of two animals and three people (one of them leads the horses) that do thinning in young stands and selection work. Data on advantages and disadvantages was gathered via semi-structured onsite interviews. The daily logging capacity of a single draft horse ranges from 4.5 m3 to 30 m3, depending on topography and weather conditions. Resulting advantages include: less harm to topsoil, wood stands, and saplings, the support of natural regeneration of forests, horses are more economical than machines in thick snow, there is no use of fossil fuels, more jobs are created, and preservation of native horse breeds is supported. Conversely, output capacity is less compared to the use of machines, and only few people want or are able to work with draft horses. It is mostly the terrain conditions (especially efficient in steep terrain) and the environmental constraints that determine the use of horses instead of skidders.