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Dr. Andrea Rosario Proto
University of Reggio Calabria - Department of AGRARIA

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Harvesting
0 NDT
0 Wood
0 forest biomass
0 safety and health

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Wood
Harvesting
forest and management
NDT
Wood based materials

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Short Biography

From 2012 to now, he held seminars and training activities for the Forest Engineering and Wood Technology sectors. He is responsible for the courses in: Wood technology; Management of forest timber operations; Evaluation of standing tree quality at the Bachelor Programme in Forest and Environmental Science at Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria - Dept. of AGRARIA. Actually, Andrea R. Proto is member of the Committee of the PhD programme (XXXVI cycle) in Agricultural, Food and Forestry Science at University of Reggio Calabria (Italy) and was member of the Committee of the PhD programme in International Doctorate in Sustainable Human Development at University of Bicocca (Milano, Italy) – XXXIV cycle. He has supervised and/or hosted master thesis students and PhD candidates from Italy, Romania and Bulgaria. Current research areas are focused on Forestry Engineering, Wood Technology, Non-destructive Technologies (NDT), Agricultural & Forest Residues, Biomass, Biofuel, Agricultural Engineering, Renewable Energy, Wood Harvesting, Environmentally Sensitive Area and Post-harvesting. At Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria - Dept. of AGRARIA, he is the scientific coordinator of Laboratory of Silviculture, Wood Technology and Forestry Mechanization, created with the aim of undertaking studies and research in the Forest-Wood Supply Chain. The Laboratory ranges from the forest knowledge obtained from dendro-auxometric and dendrochronologica

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Journal article
Published: 02 July 2021 in Agronomy
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Today, in Europe, there is still no industrial process to favor the distribution of exhausted extinguishing powders (EEP). Extinguishing powders (EP) are the most common extinguishing agents and are composed of very fine particles (90% is less than 0.250 mm, with at least 40% less than 0.040 mm). Illegal processes of disposal or reuse of EEP are currently taking place throughout Europe. In fact, often maintenance companies illegally dispose of and/or reuse spent extinguishing powders with enormous environmental damage. This is partly due to prohibitive costs, of which a large part is due to transport. The demand for fertilizers is increasing; phosphorus is a key raw material, and a possible solution could be mixing it with compost and other organic biomass and agricultural residues. In general, both compost and EEP powder have a low density and can take up a great deal of storage volume, so thickening this compost would help reduce the required storage capacity. Furthermore, a danger represented by the handling of compost and EEP is the dispersion of dust that can potentially carry pathogens and toxic organic substances which, if inhaled, could cause respiratory problems during distribution and handling. The aim of this study was to produce compost pellets using exhausted EP in different formulations and to observe the quality of different compost pellet products with respect to different factors affecting handling, storage, and distribution. For the first time, the pelletizing of EEP with compost was performed successfully using five different blends, each with different properties. The results showed that qualitative variables could be controlled to optimize production efficiency and improve the quality of the finished product depending on the type of distribution, handling, and storage. The five compost mixes could be applied in different agricultural crops as fertilizer. Furthermore, this use of exhausted EP allows for positive ecological and economic effects, avoiding the disposal costs required by specialized companies.

ACS Style

Salvatore Papandrea; Maria Cataldo; Adriano Palma; Francesco Gallucci; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Andrea Proto. Pelletization of Compost from Different Mixtures with the Addition of Exhausted Extinguishing Powders. Agronomy 2021, 11, 1357 .

AMA Style

Salvatore Papandrea, Maria Cataldo, Adriano Palma, Francesco Gallucci, Giuseppe Zimbalatti, Andrea Proto. Pelletization of Compost from Different Mixtures with the Addition of Exhausted Extinguishing Powders. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (7):1357.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Salvatore Papandrea; Maria Cataldo; Adriano Palma; Francesco Gallucci; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Andrea Proto. 2021. "Pelletization of Compost from Different Mixtures with the Addition of Exhausted Extinguishing Powders." Agronomy 11, no. 7: 1357.

Journal article
Published: 19 June 2021 in Forests
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Sawmilling operations represent one of the most important phases of the wood supply chain, because they connect the conversion flow of raw materials into finite products. In order to maintain a high volume of processed wood, sawmills usually adopt different processing strategies in terms of equipment and methods, which can increase the value or volume of the lumber produced from logs. In this study, the performance of small-scale sawmilling operations was monitored, whilst also evaluating the exposure of workers to harmful factors. An assessment of time consumption, productivity, and main ergonomics was conducted during the use of a manually driven bandsaw. In addition, the exposure to noise was investigated to complement the knowledge in this regard. The results indicated a rather high time utilization in productive tasks, which may come at the expense of exposure to noise and to poor working postures. The modelling approach resulted in statistically significant time consumption models for different phases (blade adjustment, effective sawing, returning, unloading lumber, and loading and fixing lumber). The exposure to noise was close to 92 dB (A) (8 h) and, therefore, the level of emitted noise is likely to depend on the condition of the used blades, species sawn and on the dimensional characteristics of the logs. In terms of ergonomic risks, the poorest postures were those related to tasks such as moving the logs, loading the logs, fixing the logs, rotating and removing the logs, as well as unloading the lumber.

ACS Style

Stelian Borz; Maryam Oghnoum; Marina Marcu; Arpad Lorincz; Andrea Proto. Performance of Small-Scale Sawmilling Operations: A Case Study on Time Consumption, Productivity and Main Ergonomics for a Manually Driven Bandsaw. Forests 2021, 12, 810 .

AMA Style

Stelian Borz, Maryam Oghnoum, Marina Marcu, Arpad Lorincz, Andrea Proto. Performance of Small-Scale Sawmilling Operations: A Case Study on Time Consumption, Productivity and Main Ergonomics for a Manually Driven Bandsaw. Forests. 2021; 12 (6):810.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stelian Borz; Maryam Oghnoum; Marina Marcu; Arpad Lorincz; Andrea Proto. 2021. "Performance of Small-Scale Sawmilling Operations: A Case Study on Time Consumption, Productivity and Main Ergonomics for a Manually Driven Bandsaw." Forests 12, no. 6: 810.

Journal article
Published: 07 March 2021 in Forests
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Steep terrain harvesting can only be implemented by a limited set of operational alternatives; therefore, it is important to be efficient in such conditions, in order to avoid incurring high costs. Harvesting abiotically-disturbed forests (salvage harvests caused by wet snow), which is becoming common these days, can significantly impact the operational efficiency of extraction operations. This study was implemented in order to evaluate the performance of truck-mounted uphill cable yarding operations in salvage logging deployed in coniferous stands. A time study was used to estimate the productivity and yarding costs, and predictive models were developed in order to relate the time consumption and productivity to the relevant operational factors, including the degree of wood damage. The average operational conditions were characterized by an extraction distance of 101 m and a lateral yarding distance of 18 m, resulting in a productivity rate of 20.1 m3 h−1. In response to different kind of delays, the productivity rate decreased to 12.8 m3 h−1. Under the prevailing conditions, lateral yarding accounted for 32% of the gross work cycle time, and for 50% of the delay-free work cycle time of the machine. Decreasing the lateral yarding distance and increasing the payload volume to the maximum capacity of the machine would eventually lead to a yarding productivity of close to 30 m3 per SMH (scheduled machine hour). The calculation of the gross costs of uphill yarding showed that the labor costs (35.7%) were slightly higher than the fixed costs (32.9%), and twice as high compared to the variable costs (17.7%). The remote control of the carriage, mechanical slack-pulling mechanisms, and radio-controlled chokers are just some of the improvements that would have led to increments in operational efficiency.

ACS Style

Stanimir Stoilov; Andrea Proto; Georgi Angelov; Salvatore Papandrea; Stelian Borz. Evaluation of Salvage Logging Productivity and Costs in the Sensitive Forests of Bulgaria. Forests 2021, 12, 309 .

AMA Style

Stanimir Stoilov, Andrea Proto, Georgi Angelov, Salvatore Papandrea, Stelian Borz. Evaluation of Salvage Logging Productivity and Costs in the Sensitive Forests of Bulgaria. Forests. 2021; 12 (3):309.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stanimir Stoilov; Andrea Proto; Georgi Angelov; Salvatore Papandrea; Stelian Borz. 2021. "Evaluation of Salvage Logging Productivity and Costs in the Sensitive Forests of Bulgaria." Forests 12, no. 3: 309.

Journal article
Published: 25 December 2020 in Energies
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The production of wood pellets has grown considerably in the last decades. Besides woody biomass, other feedstocks can be used for pellet production. Among these, miscanthus presents some advantages because, even if specifically cultivated, it requires low inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides and shows high biomass yield (up to 28 tons of dry matter ha−1 in Europe). Even if in the last years some studies evaluated the environmental impact of woody pellet production, there is no information about the environmental performances of miscanthus pellet production. In this study, the environmental impact of miscanthus pellet was evaluated using the Life Cycle Assessment approach with a cradle-to plant gate perspective. Primary data were collected in a small-medium size pelletizing plant located in Northern Italy where miscanthus is cultivated to be directly processed. The results highlight how the miscanthus pellet shows lower environmental impact compared to woody pellet, mainly due to the lower energy consumption during pelletizing. The possibility to pelletize the miscanthus biomass without any drying offsets the environmental impact related to the miscanthus cultivation for all the evaluated impact categories (except for Marine eutrophication). In detail, for global warming potential, 1 ton of miscanthus pellet shows an impact of 121.6 kg CO2 eq. (about 8% lower respect to woody pellet) while for the other evaluated impact categories the impact reduction ranges from 4 to 59%. Harvesting, which unlike the other field operations is carried out every year, is by far the main contributor to the impacts of the cultivation phase while electricity is the main contributor to the pelletizing phase.

ACS Style

Alessandra Fusi; Jacopo Bacenetti; Andrea R. Proto; Doriana E. A. Tedesco; Domenico Pessina; Davide Facchinetti. Pellet Production from Miscanthus: Energy and Environmental Assessment. Energies 2020, 14, 73 .

AMA Style

Alessandra Fusi, Jacopo Bacenetti, Andrea R. Proto, Doriana E. A. Tedesco, Domenico Pessina, Davide Facchinetti. Pellet Production from Miscanthus: Energy and Environmental Assessment. Energies. 2020; 14 (1):73.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessandra Fusi; Jacopo Bacenetti; Andrea R. Proto; Doriana E. A. Tedesco; Domenico Pessina; Davide Facchinetti. 2020. "Pellet Production from Miscanthus: Energy and Environmental Assessment." Energies 14, no. 1: 73.

Journal article
Published: 16 December 2020 in Fuel
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The increased interest in using farm-grown biomass for energy production makes it necessary to expand and deepen knowledge on combustion of agricultural residues. The lack of data and studies on solid fuel quality, and combustion related emissions, represents an obstacle to the sustainable development of agricultural biomass industry. In the Mediterranean basin, large quantities of lignocellulosic biomass are obtained yearly from pruning operations carried out largely widespread in fruit plantations such as citrus, grapevine and olive orchards. The most common practice to eliminate this type of residue is the open burning, carried out directly on the field by farmers, without any emissions control or energy recovery. The aim of this study was to obtain a clear description of three different wood biomasses and their behavior during combustion. The physicochemical properties were studied to determine their influence on combustion emissions. Measurements were conducted in laboratory and subsequently carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), Total Organic Compounds (TOC), and particulate matter (PM) emissions were evaluated during combustion in a 30 kW boiler equipped with a multicyclone filter bags for emission abatement. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to the data of biomass properties and emissions parameters in order to elucidate which feedstock features had a more determinant influence on the combustion process. Grapevine and citrus showed high N content and consequent high NOx production. Olive highlighted the best characteristics, high energetic potential and low emissions under regulation limits; in addition, olive pruning residues is the most available woodfuel in the Mediterranean area of Europe, confirming its great potential on agricultural biomass industry sustainable development.

ACS Style

Andrea R. Proto; Adriano Palma; Enrico Paris; Salvatore F. Papandrea; Beatrice Vincenti; Monica Carnevale; Ettore Guerriero; Roberto Bonofiglio; Francesco Gallucci. Assessment of wood chip combustion and emission behavior of different agricultural biomasses. Fuel 2020, 289, 119758 .

AMA Style

Andrea R. Proto, Adriano Palma, Enrico Paris, Salvatore F. Papandrea, Beatrice Vincenti, Monica Carnevale, Ettore Guerriero, Roberto Bonofiglio, Francesco Gallucci. Assessment of wood chip combustion and emission behavior of different agricultural biomasses. Fuel. 2020; 289 ():119758.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea R. Proto; Adriano Palma; Enrico Paris; Salvatore F. Papandrea; Beatrice Vincenti; Monica Carnevale; Ettore Guerriero; Roberto Bonofiglio; Francesco Gallucci. 2020. "Assessment of wood chip combustion and emission behavior of different agricultural biomasses." Fuel 289, no. : 119758.

Conference paper
Published: 12 November 2020 in Proceedings of The 1st International Electronic Conference on Forests — Forests for a Better Future: Sustainability, Innovation, Interdisciplinarity
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Green areas in cities are acquiring an increasingly important role in urban architecture. However, a crucial problem associated with urban trees is the need to know and evaluate the health of plants in order to ensure the safety and security of citizens. One important process consists of the technical assessment of the conditions of standing trees, in order to prevent their falling due to strength failure or damage caused by internal decay. In recent years, investigations with non-destructive techniques on urban trees have shown great success in detecting internal decay, which, depending on the severity of the case, makes the stability of the entire plant or parts of it precarious. This study reports the results of an inspection protocol that combines single-path stress wave timer and micro-drilling resistance to detect internal defects on Melia trees (Melia azedarach L.) located in the city of Reggio Calabria, Southern Italy.

ACS Style

Salvatore F. Papandrea; Andrea R. Proto; Maria F. Cataldo; Giuseppe Zimbalatti. Comparative Evaluation of Inspection Techniques for Decay Detection in Urban Trees. Proceedings of The 1st International Electronic Conference on Forests — Forests for a Better Future: Sustainability, Innovation, Interdisciplinarity 2020, 3, 14 .

AMA Style

Salvatore F. Papandrea, Andrea R. Proto, Maria F. Cataldo, Giuseppe Zimbalatti. Comparative Evaluation of Inspection Techniques for Decay Detection in Urban Trees. Proceedings of The 1st International Electronic Conference on Forests — Forests for a Better Future: Sustainability, Innovation, Interdisciplinarity. 2020; 3 (1):14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Salvatore F. Papandrea; Andrea R. Proto; Maria F. Cataldo; Giuseppe Zimbalatti. 2020. "Comparative Evaluation of Inspection Techniques for Decay Detection in Urban Trees." Proceedings of The 1st International Electronic Conference on Forests — Forests for a Better Future: Sustainability, Innovation, Interdisciplinarity 3, no. 1: 14.

Original
Published: 12 September 2020 in European Journal of Wood and Wood Products
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Ring shake is a widespread phenomenon affecting a great number of species of both softwood and hardwood and is found in trees grown in temperate and tropical climates. Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) represents one of the most important hardwood timbers that is very often affected by ring shake. This defect seems to be the only real limit to the spread and use of chestnut wood worldwide on a scale closer to the availability of this wood. The aim of this study was to examine the potential of tomographic measurement as a non-destructive method for predicting the possibility of the presence of ring shake in standing chestnut trees. For this reason, the experiments were carried out in a chestnut coppice stand where one hundred chestnut standards were monitored using an acoustic tomographic device, and subsequently harvested by a local company and cross-sectioned corresponding to the acoustic tests. This work proposed an applied approach to predicting and determining wood quality (sound wood vs. defective wood) from tomographic data. The model, based on a non-linear approach, showed that sonic tomography can identify ring shake in a tree trunk without affecting its biological activity, overcoming the difficulties of predicting ring shake using only visual inspection.

ACS Style

Andrea R. Proto; Maria F. Cataldo; Corrado Costa; Salvatore F. Papandrea; Giuseppe Zimbalatti. A tomographic approach to assessing the possibility of ring shake presence in standing chestnut trees. European Journal of Wood and Wood Products 2020, 1 -12.

AMA Style

Andrea R. Proto, Maria F. Cataldo, Corrado Costa, Salvatore F. Papandrea, Giuseppe Zimbalatti. A tomographic approach to assessing the possibility of ring shake presence in standing chestnut trees. European Journal of Wood and Wood Products. 2020; ():1-12.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea R. Proto; Maria F. Cataldo; Corrado Costa; Salvatore F. Papandrea; Giuseppe Zimbalatti. 2020. "A tomographic approach to assessing the possibility of ring shake presence in standing chestnut trees." European Journal of Wood and Wood Products , no. : 1-12.

Journal article
Published: 30 May 2020 in Biomass and Bioenergy
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Biomass for energetic use can be procured from various sources including willow short rotation crops (WSRC). The feasibility of willow crops, however, is dependent on the costs incurred by operations such as the plantation, maintenance, harvesting and transport. In small scale applications, cost balancing often results in the use of equipment designed for general agricultural purposes to carry on the operational management of WSRC. This study evaluated the productive performance in planting operations of WSRC for a planting equipment consisting of regular farming tractors used to propel machines designed to support planting on single twin rows. Planting equipment consisting of 4 different types of farming tractors fitted with willow planting equipment was tested in 14 filed plots to be able to compute the main performance indicators such as the net and gross productivity rates. An evident variability in terms of time consumption on categories was observed at plot-level, and the planting time was related to a great extent to the operated area. The size of areas subjected to planting operations was the most important factor that affected productive performance. Variation of net productivity rate was explained largely by the ratio of the length of headland returning maneuvers to total length covered in a given plot. The model developed for the total study time shows that, in the observed conditions, it may take more than 7 h to plant one hectare. The equipment taken into study stands for a flexible option for small-scale farmers which could increase the utilization rates of their farming tractors by using them in other agricultural operations when needed. In addition, the studied equipment fits well to very narrow and small-sized plots, as such situation is typical to Romania and other European countries.

ACS Style

Nicolae Talagai; Marina Viorela Marcu; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Andrea Rosario Proto; Stelian Alexandru Borz. Productivity in partly mechanized planting operations of willow short rotation coppice. Biomass and Bioenergy 2020, 138, 105609 .

AMA Style

Nicolae Talagai, Marina Viorela Marcu, Giuseppe Zimbalatti, Andrea Rosario Proto, Stelian Alexandru Borz. Productivity in partly mechanized planting operations of willow short rotation coppice. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2020; 138 ():105609.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicolae Talagai; Marina Viorela Marcu; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Andrea Rosario Proto; Stelian Alexandru Borz. 2020. "Productivity in partly mechanized planting operations of willow short rotation coppice." Biomass and Bioenergy 138, no. : 105609.

Journal article
Published: 15 May 2020 in Scientific Reports
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This study assesses the reliability of a non-destructive method for determining the in situ distribution of tree coarse roots within a scaled distance 6-fold the DBH by comparing the results with the actual 3D root architecture revealed by invasive methods. The root architecture of 22-year-old olive trees was determined non-destructively with a Root Detector device (Fakopp Enterprise Bt) using sonic speed and directly by a 3D digitizer (Fastrak, Polhemus) after soil removal. The radial and vertical distributions of the coarse root biomass and diameter in the soil as determined by the 3D digitizer were correlated with the root map detected by sonic speed. A highly significant correlation was observed between the coarse root biomass distribution and the sonic speed within 30 cm of soil depth, but this correlation decreased with increasing distance from the trunk, up to 120 cm. No correlations were observed between sonic speed and root diameter. The Root Detector was able to map the coarse roots of the olive tree in the soil environment, but only under certain conditions. First, root detection was more efficient within 30 cm of soil depth, provided that more than 35% of the total biomass of lateral roots occurs within this depth range. Second, the distance of 120 cm from the trunk, scaled as 6-fold the DBH, may be considered the threshold over which the sonic speed and the detection of roots markedly decreased. Third, Root Detector technology is unable to detect root size in terms of geometric parameters such as root diameter.

ACS Style

Andrea R. Proto; Antonino Di Iorio; Lorenzo M. Abenavoli; Agostino Sorgonà. A sonic root detector for revealing tree coarse root distribution. Scientific Reports 2020, 10, 1 -11.

AMA Style

Andrea R. Proto, Antonino Di Iorio, Lorenzo M. Abenavoli, Agostino Sorgonà. A sonic root detector for revealing tree coarse root distribution. Scientific Reports. 2020; 10 (1):1-11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea R. Proto; Antonino Di Iorio; Lorenzo M. Abenavoli; Agostino Sorgonà. 2020. "A sonic root detector for revealing tree coarse root distribution." Scientific Reports 10, no. 1: 1-11.

Review
Published: 02 December 2019 in Electronics
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In the last years, there has been a growing need to improve forest-wood chain concerning all three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social). Using electronic systems, in particular GIS, GNSS, and various kinds of sensors related to forest harvesting, is clearly one of the most powerful instruments to reach this aim. The contribution of these tools to forest operation is wide and various. One of the most important application was integrating ICT and GPS/GNSS on-board systems on modern forest machines. This allowed one to ensure multiple benefits to forest operation field. On the one hand, electronic systems, and particularly GIS, could be used to improve forest harvesting with a previous planning of the skid trails network, in order to minimize utilization impacts and risks for operators, ensuring at the same time high work productivity. Moreover, GIS developed files could also be implemented in modern forest machine GPS/GNSS systems, helping forest machines operators to move only along a designed skid trails network or making it possible to avoid restricted access areas. On the other hand, modern forest machines could be equipped with complex and accurate sensors that are able to determine, register, and share information about wood biomass quantity and quality and even undertake economic evaluation of stumpage value. Finally, the input and output of these systems and sensors could be implemented in a decision support system (DSS) ensuring the best silvicultural and operative alternative from a sustainable forest management point of view. A detailed review of the contribution of electronics in the development of forest operations is provided here.

ACS Style

Rodolfo Picchio; Andrea Rosario Proto; Vincenzo Civitarese; Nicolò Di Marzio; Francesco Latterini. Recent Contributions of Some Fields of the Electronics in Development of Forest Operations Technologies. Electronics 2019, 8, 1465 .

AMA Style

Rodolfo Picchio, Andrea Rosario Proto, Vincenzo Civitarese, Nicolò Di Marzio, Francesco Latterini. Recent Contributions of Some Fields of the Electronics in Development of Forest Operations Technologies. Electronics. 2019; 8 (12):1465.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rodolfo Picchio; Andrea Rosario Proto; Vincenzo Civitarese; Nicolò Di Marzio; Francesco Latterini. 2019. "Recent Contributions of Some Fields of the Electronics in Development of Forest Operations Technologies." Electronics 8, no. 12: 1465.

Journal article
Published: 05 November 2019 in Croatian journal of forest engineering
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The improvement of harvesting methodologies plays an important role in the optimization of wood production in a context of sustainable forest management. Different harvesting methods can be applied according to forest site-specific condition and the appropriate mechanization level depends on a number of factors. Therefore, efficiency and functionality of wood harvesting operations depend on several factors. The aim of this study is to analyze how the different harvesting processes affect operational costs and labor productivity in typical small-scale Italian harvesting companies. A multiple linear regression model (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN) have been carried out to predict gross time, productivity and costs estimation in a series of qualitative and quantitative variables. The results have created a correct statistical model able to accurately estimate the technical parameters (work time and productivity) and economic parameters (costs per unit of product and per hectare) useful to the forestry entrepreneur to predict the results of the work in advance, considering only the values detectable of some characteristic elements of the worksite.

ACS Style

Andrea Rosario Proto; Mauro Maesano; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Giuseppe Scarascia Mugnozza; Giorgio Macrì; Francesca Antonucci; Corrado Costa; Giulio Sperandio. A Three-Step Neural Network Artificial Intelligence Modeling Approach for Time, Productivity and Costs Prediction. Croatian journal of forest engineering 2019, 41, 35 -47.

AMA Style

Andrea Rosario Proto, Mauro Maesano, Giuseppe Zimbalatti, Giuseppe Scarascia Mugnozza, Giorgio Macrì, Francesca Antonucci, Corrado Costa, Giulio Sperandio. A Three-Step Neural Network Artificial Intelligence Modeling Approach for Time, Productivity and Costs Prediction. Croatian journal of forest engineering. 2019; 41 (1):35-47.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Rosario Proto; Mauro Maesano; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Giuseppe Scarascia Mugnozza; Giorgio Macrì; Francesca Antonucci; Corrado Costa; Giulio Sperandio. 2019. "A Three-Step Neural Network Artificial Intelligence Modeling Approach for Time, Productivity and Costs Prediction." Croatian journal of forest engineering 41, no. 1: 35-47.

Original paper
Published: 02 July 2019 in European Journal of Forest Research
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This study analysed the skyline tensile forces in 502 complete work cycles during ordinary cable logging operations on 12 different cable lines in the Italian Alps. The objectives of the research were to quantify the frequency of exceeding the recommended safe working limits and to determine the skyline peak tensile forces and dynamic amplifications, as well as their explanatory variables. Data collection was based on skyline tensile force monitoring synchronized with the video recording of the logging operations and the monitoring of the carriage positions. The load volumes were measured at the landing, and the total loads were estimated for each cycle. The results showed 55% of the work cycles exceeding the safe working load. The highest peak tensile forces were often recorded while starting the load moving during lateral skid. High-peak tensile forces were also recorded during inhaul, where the tensile forces were amplified by the cyclic load behaviour. It appears that some operators underestimate the effects of pretension, payload, and cable line geometry on the magnitude of the skyline tensile force. The complexity in identifying reliable theoretical models inclusive of dynamic amplifications and the inefficacy of the load limiters installed on the machines highlighted the need to improve the best practices within the operators, and to adopt technical solutions for the continuous skyline tensile force monitoring during ordinary cable logging operations.

ACS Style

Omar Mologni; C. Kevin Lyons; Giulio Zambon; Andrea R. Proto; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Raffaele Cavalli; Stefano Grigolato. Skyline tensile force monitoring of mobile tower yarders operating in the Italian Alps. European Journal of Forest Research 2019, 138, 847 -862.

AMA Style

Omar Mologni, C. Kevin Lyons, Giulio Zambon, Andrea R. Proto, Giuseppe Zimbalatti, Raffaele Cavalli, Stefano Grigolato. Skyline tensile force monitoring of mobile tower yarders operating in the Italian Alps. European Journal of Forest Research. 2019; 138 (5):847-862.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Omar Mologni; C. Kevin Lyons; Giulio Zambon; Andrea R. Proto; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Raffaele Cavalli; Stefano Grigolato. 2019. "Skyline tensile force monitoring of mobile tower yarders operating in the Italian Alps." European Journal of Forest Research 138, no. 5: 847-862.

Journal article
Published: 02 April 2019 in Forests
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In the middle of XIX century, Calabrian pine was planted in southern Italy to increase the forest cover in mountainous areas. Many of these forest stands were never managed, since they were considered non-profitable for wood production. Therefore, in order to promote timber value, it is fundamental to study, more deeply, the characteristics and management options for this species. The acoustic technologies applied to predict the mechanical and physical properties of timber are well-established practices in forest research. In this study, we hypothesized that the tree stand density could influence the dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOEd) and, therefore, the future wood quality. We specifically aimed to verify if different management options, when applied, could influence the timber quality of Calabrian pine growing in similar environmental conditions. The study was conducted in the Aspromonte National Park (Calabria, Southern Italy). We derived the MOEd values from data obtained by the acoustic velocity measured through the TreeSonic™ timer. Calabrian pine trees were selected in stands where different intensities of thinning were applied eleven years before this study began (no thinning, thinning 25%, thinning 50%, and thinning 75%). The percentage refers to the number of trees cut with respect to the total number of occurring trees. The analyses were conducted on a total of 804 trees (201 trees for each intensity of thinning). A strong positive correlation was observed between the acoustic velocity, the thinning treatments and diameter at breast height (DBH). The thinning realized at 25% induced better tree wood quality. We also analyzed the best predictors for MOEd estimation, using variables easily measurable in the field, such as tree diameter, tree height, or their transformations (number of trees per hectare, basal area per hectare). We provide, here, a useful tool for predicting the wood stiffness in relation to stand parameters easily measurable in forest inventories.

ACS Style

Diego Russo; Pasquale A. Marziliano; Giorgio Macri; Andrea R. Proto; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Fabio Lombardi. Does Thinning Intensity Affect Wood Quality? An Analysis of Calabrian Pine in Southern Italy Using a Non-Destructive Acoustic Method. Forests 2019, 10, 303 .

AMA Style

Diego Russo, Pasquale A. Marziliano, Giorgio Macri, Andrea R. Proto, Giuseppe Zimbalatti, Fabio Lombardi. Does Thinning Intensity Affect Wood Quality? An Analysis of Calabrian Pine in Southern Italy Using a Non-Destructive Acoustic Method. Forests. 2019; 10 (4):303.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Diego Russo; Pasquale A. Marziliano; Giorgio Macri; Andrea R. Proto; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Fabio Lombardi. 2019. "Does Thinning Intensity Affect Wood Quality? An Analysis of Calabrian Pine in Southern Italy Using a Non-Destructive Acoustic Method." Forests 10, no. 4: 303.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2019 in Transactions of the ASABE
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Modern bioenergy crops have potential to play a crucial role in the global energy mix, especially under policies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The management of short-rotation willow crops involves several operations that deliver biomass for different uses. In commercial-scale operations, high-performance, mostly automated equipment is frequently used; however, in small-scale operations, smallholder farmers adapt traditional agricultural equipment to fit their needs. This study evaluated the field performance of planting and cutback operations in small-scale willow crops using equipment that was characterized by a low level of technological integration. Following the implementation of both operations, the planting work rates ranged from 0.216 to 0.300 ha h-1, depending on the soil preparation and planting density. Delays significantly reduced the field performance, resulting in gross work rates of 0.149 to 0.230 ha h-1. By comparison, cutback operations had higher work rates of 2.31 and 2.35 ha h-1 for gross and net production, respectively. These rates dropped to approximately 1.77 and 2.00 ha h-1, respectively, due to time spent in headland turns and other delays. Possibilities to improve the field performance depend on good preparation of the soil prior to planting, which includes removal of agricultural residue. In the case of cutback operations, avoiding backward movement of the equipment when additional headland space is available and an improved field layout may shorten the time spent in headland turns. The results indicate that small-scale energy crop plantations can be sustainable in terms of efficiency when unspecialized technologies are used. Therefore, small-scale agriculture can make a positive contribution to climate change mitigation targets. Keywords: Bioenergy, Biomass, Cutting, Plantation, Mechanization, Short-rotation coppice, SRC.

ACS Style

Stelian Alexandru Borz; Mihai Daniel Nita; Nicolae Talagai; Cezar Scriba; Stefano Grigolato; Andrea R. Proto. Performance of Small-Scale Technology in Planting and Cutback Operations of Short-Rotation Willow Crops. Transactions of the ASABE 2019, 62, 167 -176.

AMA Style

Stelian Alexandru Borz, Mihai Daniel Nita, Nicolae Talagai, Cezar Scriba, Stefano Grigolato, Andrea R. Proto. Performance of Small-Scale Technology in Planting and Cutback Operations of Short-Rotation Willow Crops. Transactions of the ASABE. 2019; 62 (1):167-176.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stelian Alexandru Borz; Mihai Daniel Nita; Nicolae Talagai; Cezar Scriba; Stefano Grigolato; Andrea R. Proto. 2019. "Performance of Small-Scale Technology in Planting and Cutback Operations of Short-Rotation Willow Crops." Transactions of the ASABE 62, no. 1: 167-176.

Journal article
Published: 17 September 2018 in Sensors
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This is the first work to introduce the use of blockchain technology for the electronic traceability of wood from standing tree to final user. Infotracing integrates the information related to the product quality with those related to the traceability [physical and digital documents (Radio Frequency IDentification—RFID—architecture)] within an online information system whose steps (transactions) can be made safe to evidence of alteration through the blockchain. This is a decentralized and distributed ledger that keeps records of digital transactions in such a way that makes them accessible and visible to multiple participants in a network while keeping them secure without the need of a centralized certification organism. This work implements a blockchain architecture within the wood chain electronic traceability. The infotracing system is based on RFID sensors and open source technology. The entire forest wood supply chain was simulated from standing trees to the final product passing through tree cutting and sawmill process. Different kinds of Internet of Things (IoT) open source devices and tags were used, and a specific app aiming the forest operations was engineered to collect and store in a centralized database information (e.g., species, date, position, dendrometric and commercial information).

ACS Style

Simone Figorilli; Francesca Antonucci; Corrado Costa; Federico Pallottino; Luciano Raso; Marco Castiglione; Edoardo Pinci; Davide Del Vecchio; Giacomo Colle; Andrea Rosario Proto; Giulio Sperandio; Paolo Menesatti. A Blockchain Implementation Prototype for the Electronic Open Source Traceability of Wood along the Whole Supply Chain. Sensors 2018, 18, 3133 .

AMA Style

Simone Figorilli, Francesca Antonucci, Corrado Costa, Federico Pallottino, Luciano Raso, Marco Castiglione, Edoardo Pinci, Davide Del Vecchio, Giacomo Colle, Andrea Rosario Proto, Giulio Sperandio, Paolo Menesatti. A Blockchain Implementation Prototype for the Electronic Open Source Traceability of Wood along the Whole Supply Chain. Sensors. 2018; 18 (9):3133.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simone Figorilli; Francesca Antonucci; Corrado Costa; Federico Pallottino; Luciano Raso; Marco Castiglione; Edoardo Pinci; Davide Del Vecchio; Giacomo Colle; Andrea Rosario Proto; Giulio Sperandio; Paolo Menesatti. 2018. "A Blockchain Implementation Prototype for the Electronic Open Source Traceability of Wood along the Whole Supply Chain." Sensors 18, no. 9: 3133.

Journal article
Published: 18 July 2018 in Biosystems Engineering
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A stereovision system for the in-field estimation of trees parameters such as height and diameter is proposed. The system includes a specifically developed mobile application for the management and georeferencing of stereo images. Stereo imaging allows the measurement of the distance between two points using triangulation formulas for the extraction of three-dimensional coordinates. The methodology is structured following three phases: training using system calibration through stereovision analysis of known artificial known objects; testing using measurements of standing tree diameters and heights acquired through stereovision system, laser rangefinder (height) and tree calliper (diameter); field application testing using direct height and diameter measurements in natural and urban woods. For this last phase an Android application was developed. The results show that the error between direct measurements and those measured with both stereovision and traditional reference methods (laser rangefinder and tree calliper) were quite low: 6.8 ± 6.6% between direct and laser rangefinder height measurements; 5.8 ± 5.5% between direct and stereovision height measurements; 4.2 ± 3.0% between direct and stereovision diameter measurements. No significant difference was found between the different methods for estimating height and diameter. Around 200 images matched to stereovision acquisitions were acquired and georeferenced using the application.

ACS Style

Corrado Costa; Simone Figorilli; Andrea Rosario Proto; Giacomo Colle; Giulio Sperandio; Pietro Gallo; Francesca Antonucci; Federico Pallottino; Paolo Menesatti. Digital stereovision system for dendrometry, georeferencing and data management. Biosystems Engineering 2018, 174, 126 -133.

AMA Style

Corrado Costa, Simone Figorilli, Andrea Rosario Proto, Giacomo Colle, Giulio Sperandio, Pietro Gallo, Francesca Antonucci, Federico Pallottino, Paolo Menesatti. Digital stereovision system for dendrometry, georeferencing and data management. Biosystems Engineering. 2018; 174 ():126-133.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Corrado Costa; Simone Figorilli; Andrea Rosario Proto; Giacomo Colle; Giulio Sperandio; Pietro Gallo; Francesca Antonucci; Federico Pallottino; Paolo Menesatti. 2018. "Digital stereovision system for dendrometry, georeferencing and data management." Biosystems Engineering 174, no. : 126-133.

Original article
Published: 20 March 2018 in Trees
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The in situ 3D root architecture of Olea europea was described by a semi-automatic 3D digitizing approach, which permitted the estimation of the biomass and carbon content of coarse roots in the soil environment. Coarse roots, the skeleton of the root system, are of primary importance for soil exploration and plant anchorage and only recently have been recognized as playing a major role in “long-term” carbon sequestration. Despite this role, the 3D architecture of coarse roots represents a gap in knowledge on the biomass and carbon allocation within the root system and, consequently, below-ground carbon sequestration capacity. Using a semi-automatic 3D digitizing approach (3 Space Fastrak plus Long Ranger), the 3D distribution in the soil environment of coarse root biomass and C content and how these parameters were affected by manual and mechanical (trunk shaker) harvesting methods were quantified in a high-density olive orchard. The below-ground C content at stand level was estimated to be 11.93 Mg C ha−1 and distributed at deeper soil layers (45–60 cm) in the form of first- and second-order branching roots. The present study also revealed that the mechanical harvesting method significantly increased both the angle of growth (0° = vertically downwards) of first-order lateral roots and the stump biomass, but neither the biomass allocation nor the C content was increased within the first three branching orders.

ACS Style

A. Sorgonà; A. R. Proto; Lorenzo Maria Massimo Abenavoli; A. Di Iorio. Spatial distribution of coarse root biomass and carbon in a high-density olive orchard: effects of mechanical harvesting methods. Trees 2018, 32, 919 -931.

AMA Style

A. Sorgonà, A. R. Proto, Lorenzo Maria Massimo Abenavoli, A. Di Iorio. Spatial distribution of coarse root biomass and carbon in a high-density olive orchard: effects of mechanical harvesting methods. Trees. 2018; 32 (4):919-931.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. Sorgonà; A. R. Proto; Lorenzo Maria Massimo Abenavoli; A. Di Iorio. 2018. "Spatial distribution of coarse root biomass and carbon in a high-density olive orchard: effects of mechanical harvesting methods." Trees 32, no. 4: 919-931.

Original paper
Published: 30 January 2018 in European Journal of Forest Research
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Modern forwarders are an effective extraction option for timber harvesting operations that provide the opportunity for higher levels of mechanization. With their ability to carry logs from the forest to the roadside or processing areas, they have an established lower environmental impact in comparison to tree-length skidding options. However, little is published regarding their productivity potential or the factors that influence productivity. Three case studies were carried out; (1) a selective harvest in Calabria, Italy, with a smaller 12 t capacity John Deere 1110E, (2) a clear-cut on the West Coast of New Zealand, with a larger 19 t capacity John Deere 1910E and (3) a larger clear-cut operation in Canterbury, New Zealand, with two John Deere 1910E forwarders. An elemental time and motion study was used resulting in 73.4 h of detailed data, with 159 cycles extracting 2241 m3 of timber. Productivity models were created for all three sites as well as one combined model. Average cycle time was 33.2, 24.2 and 22.8 min, and average productivity 24.6, 37.1 and 42.7 t per productive machine hour, respectively. Cycle time was the fastest, and consequently productivity the highest, at the Canterbury site where the terrain roughness was low, overcoming any effect of the average small piece size (0.59 m3). Travel speed was slowest at the West Coast site showing the effect of wet and difficult terrain, with travel empty speed being just 3.8 km/h, compared to 6.7 and 6.9 km/h at the other two sites. Productivity at the two clear-cut operations was significantly higher than the selective cut, compounded by the use of the larger capacity forwarders. Distance and payload were significant factors for each cycle time model; in the combined model the sites were also significant. The calculated unit cost of forwarder extraction in the sites ranged from €2.55 to €4.70/m3. For regions such as southern Italy that have relatively low levels of forest mechanization, this information can be used to help design and improve more traditional labor-intensive harvesting systems.

ACS Style

Andrea R. Proto; Giorgio Macrì; Rien Visser; Hunter Harrill; Diego Russo; Giuseppe Zimbalatti. Factors affecting forwarder productivity. European Journal of Forest Research 2018, 137, 143 -151.

AMA Style

Andrea R. Proto, Giorgio Macrì, Rien Visser, Hunter Harrill, Diego Russo, Giuseppe Zimbalatti. Factors affecting forwarder productivity. European Journal of Forest Research. 2018; 137 (2):143-151.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea R. Proto; Giorgio Macrì; Rien Visser; Hunter Harrill; Diego Russo; Giuseppe Zimbalatti. 2018. "Factors affecting forwarder productivity." European Journal of Forest Research 137, no. 2: 143-151.

Journal article
Published: 26 January 2018 in Forests
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Forests in southern Italy are mainly located in mountainous areas, where ground-based extraction is still the most common harvesting technique. In particular, 60% of southern Italy’s forests are on slopes with an angle of inclination between 20–60%. The low level of mechanization in forest operations is due to the difficult site conditions, as well as the small-scale characteristics of both the forest owners and the harvesting contractors. The most common work method uses chainsaws to fell the trees, and animals or farm tractors equipped with winches for bunching and extraction. This study assesses the productivity and cost effectiveness of extraction with a purpose-built John Deere 548H skidder, including a comparison of winch and grapple configurations. The results show that the productivity of skidding depends on distance as well as the condition of the skid trail. The number of trees per cycle and volume of each load also had a clear effect. While large purpose-built skidders represent a significant investment, this study demonstrates that the productivity is very high compared to traditional extraction methods and the resulting extraction costs are very competitive. As such, this study indicates that, over time, southern Italian harvesting operations should invest in purpose-built harvesting systems.

ACS Style

Andrea Rosario Proto; Giorgio Macrì; Rien Visser; Diego Russo; Giuseppe Zimbalatti. Comparison of Timber Extraction Productivity between Winch and Grapple Skidding: A Case Study in Southern Italian Forests. Forests 2018, 9, 61 .

AMA Style

Andrea Rosario Proto, Giorgio Macrì, Rien Visser, Diego Russo, Giuseppe Zimbalatti. Comparison of Timber Extraction Productivity between Winch and Grapple Skidding: A Case Study in Southern Italian Forests. Forests. 2018; 9 (2):61.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Rosario Proto; Giorgio Macrì; Rien Visser; Diego Russo; Giuseppe Zimbalatti. 2018. "Comparison of Timber Extraction Productivity between Winch and Grapple Skidding: A Case Study in Southern Italian Forests." Forests 9, no. 2: 61.

Article
Published: 20 January 2018 in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
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The use of helicopter rises discussion about environmental noise propagation especially when it operates in proximity of environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) for an extended period because of its potential implications in wildlife behaviours. In order to support decisions on helicopter logging operation management in proximity of ESAs, this study focused on (i) analysing the noise spectrum of a light-lift helicopter during logging operations and on (ii) assessing the noise propagation in the surrounding environments. This study investigated a helicopter logging operation for wood fuel extraction in the eastern part of the Italian Alps. The potential disturbance area covered for the entire helicopter logging operation was evaluated by a specific GIS application according to hearing sensitivity of the most sensitive wildlife species in the study area (different strigiform species). The noise level at the ground appeared to be affected by the location regardless both the use of equivalent continuous sound pressures level dB(A) (LAeq) and the single-event level (SEL) noise metrics. The lowest values were recorded when the helicopter was flown over the sound meter level located under the forest canopy, while the highest was recorded when the helicopter was unhooking the loads at the landing. The GIS application highlighted the consistent of the exceeded noise area (weighted to strigiform hearing range and sensitivity) for the lower frequency bands (0.016–0.250 kHz). A more restricted exceeded noise area concerned instead the most sensitive frequency bands" for the strigiform (1–2 kHz).

ACS Style

Stefano Grigolato; Omar Mologni; Andrea Rosario Proto; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Raffaele Cavalli. Assessment of noise level and noise propagation generated by light-lift helicopters in mountain natural environments. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2018, 190, 88 .

AMA Style

Stefano Grigolato, Omar Mologni, Andrea Rosario Proto, Giuseppe Zimbalatti, Raffaele Cavalli. Assessment of noise level and noise propagation generated by light-lift helicopters in mountain natural environments. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 2018; 190 (2):88.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefano Grigolato; Omar Mologni; Andrea Rosario Proto; Giuseppe Zimbalatti; Raffaele Cavalli. 2018. "Assessment of noise level and noise propagation generated by light-lift helicopters in mountain natural environments." Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 190, no. 2: 88.