scholarly journals Insight into the Productivity, Cost and Soil Impacts of Cable-assisted Harvester-forwarder Thinning in Western Oregon

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Preston Q Green ◽  
Woodam Chung ◽  
Ben Leshchinsky ◽  
Francisca Belart ◽  
John Sessions ◽  
...  

Abstract Cable-assisted (or tethered) mechanized harvesting has recently been introduced to the Pacific Northwest of the United States, and is rapidly being adopted by the forest industry. However, potential environmental impacts, productivity and cost of the new harvesting systems have not been well-assessed. This study aims to examine the effects of cable assistance on soil compaction, system productivity and cost through a field-based experiment. A harvester-forwarder system was used to thin a harvest unit on dry soils in western Oregon, with and without cable-assistance. We conducted a detailed time study during operations and collected soil measurements before and after machine passes. Machine productivity ranged from 28.75 to 92.36 m3 per scheduled machine hour, with resulting unit costs for untethered and tethered systems ranging from $13.19 to $18.13/m3. Our results showed reduced soil impacts in both extent and degree of soil compaction when cable assistance was employed. The reduced extent of soil impacts is attributed to a reduction in track wander owing to the operative tensions of the tether cable, and the smaller increase in soil density appears to be attributed to combined effects of initially denser soil conditions and reduced shear displacement as a result of cable-assistance.

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. DIRKS ◽  
E. F. BOLTON

Regression and covariance analysis of a 13-yr rotation experiment of corn on Brookston clay soil showed that grain yield of corn could be related to each of nine other plant and soil measurements. Soil compaction as measured by bulk density was negatively associated with the level of leaf K in the plants, as well as available soil moisture. The major part of the yield difference between fertilized continuous corn and fertilized corn following alfalfa could be accounted for by multiple regression of grain yield on leaf N and K nutrient levels, soil compaction and soil moisture. Soil compaction was not affected or modified by fertilizer treatment. Response of corn grain yield to soil conditions, moisture and plant nutrient level appears to vary with rotation and fertilizer input.


2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 331-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex R. Lechler ◽  
Katharine W. Huntington ◽  
Daniel O. Breecker ◽  
Mark R. Sweeney ◽  
Andrew J. Schauer

AbstractThe Channeled Scabland–Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) of the United States preserves geomorphic and pedosedimentary records that inform understanding of late Pleistocene–Holocene paleoclimate change in a region proximal to the last glacial period Cordilleran Ice Sheet. We present a clumped (Δ47) and conventional (δ18O, δ13C) isotopic study of Palouse loess–paleosol carbonates in combination with carbonate radiocarbon (14C) dating to provide new measures of regional late–last glacial (~31–20 cal ka BP) and Holocene soil conditions. Average clumped isotope temperatures (T(Δ47)) for last glacial Palouse loess–paleosol carbonates (9±4°C) are significantly lower than those for Holocene-aged carbonates (T(Δ47)=18±2°C) in study sections. Calculated soil water δ18OVSMOWvalues (−16±2‰) for last glacial carbonates are also offset relative to those for Holocene-aged samples (−11±1‰), whereas calculated soil CO2δ13CVPDBvalues are similar for the Holocene (−16.9±0.2‰) and late–last glacial (−16.7±1.1‰) periods. Together, these paleoclimate metrics indicate late–last glacial conditions of pedogenic carbonate formation in the C3grassland soils of the Palouse were measurably colder (9±5°C) than during the Holocene and potentially reflect a more arid last glacial paleoclimate across the Palouse, findings in agreement with previous proxy studies and climate model simulations for the region.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Saadat Kamgar ◽  
Ehsan Savand Roomi

<p>Machinery traffic on farm and forest caused to problems in environment and economics by Fossil fuel consumption and soil compaction. According to result of investigation, The GUTD (Gear Up and Throttle Down) method was recommended to decrease fuel consumption. But the wide range of machinery applications, soil conditions and experience of drivers or operators need to have index for ensuring the GUTD method is carried out properly. The purpose of this study was evaluation of GUTD method using MF 399 tractor on instantaneous fuel consumption and soil compaction. The tractor was equipped by sensors, a designed electronic circuit and a computer to measure and record parameters such as fuel consumption, forward speed and wheel slip. This field examination was carried out on tilled land with clay-loam soil and then data were analyzed in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Considered factors were included four speed levels (1.6, 3.2, 6.4, 12.8 km h<sup>-1</sup>), three levels of gear (first, second and third) and two levels of wheel drive (2WD and 4WD). Parameters of cone index and bulk density were used to determine soil compaction.Variations in compaction of before and after tractor passage were calculated in each plot. Statistical analysis in each speed showed that factor of gear in variations of soil compaction was significant at all speeds except 12.8 km h<sup>-1</sup> and instantaneous fuel consumption was reduced by GUTD at each of constant speed except the mentioned speed. This research showed that instantaneous fuel consumption can be considered as appropriate index for selecting the best gear and speed in terms of fuel consumption and soil compaction.<strong></strong></p>


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gremil Alessandro Naz

<p>This paper examines the changes in Filipino immigrants’ perceptions about themselves and of Americans before and after coming to the United States. Filipinos have a general perception of themselves as an ethnic group. They also have perceptions about Americans whose media products regularly reach the Philippines. Eleven Filipinos who have permanently migrated to the US were interviewed about their perceptions of Filipinos and Americans. Before coming to the US, they saw themselves as hardworking, family-oriented, poor, shy, corrupt, proud, adaptable, fatalistic, humble, adventurous, persevering, gossipmonger, and happy. They described Americans as rich, arrogant, educated, workaholic, proud, powerful, spoiled, helpful, boastful, materialistic, individualistic, talented, domineering, friendly, accommodating, helpful, clean, and kind. Most of the respondents changed their perceptions of Filipinos and of Americans after coming to the US. They now view Filipinos as having acquired American values or “Americanized.” On the other hand, they stopped perceiving Americans as a homogenous group possessing the same values after they got into direct contact with them. The findings validate social perception and appraisal theory, and symbolic interaction theory.</p>


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 557a-557
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Rose ◽  
Barbara Biernacka

Long-standing fertilizer recommendations for field-grown nursery and landscape ornamentals are based on maximizing growth, not nutrient efficiency. Further, these recommendations fall short because of failure to consider 1) the extent of crop nutrient removal, 2) varying nutrient retention characteristics of soils across the United States, and 3) a body of research that suggests that woody ornamentals have a limited response to fertilization under most soil conditions. Concern for the environmental impact of fertilization justifies a reevaluation of current nursery fertilization practices, as well a discussion of the practical constraints on the adoption of new approaches, e.g., nutrient demand-driven fertilization. Research on the nutrient use patterns of woody plants will be reviewed with emphasis on implications for increasing fertilization efficiency. OSU research on water availability and nutrient-use interactions also will be presented.


Sci ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Jesse Patrick ◽  
Philip Q. Yang

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is at the crossroads. It is important to evaluate the effectiveness of the ACA in order to make rational decisions about the ongoing healthcare reform, but existing research into its effect on health insurance status in the United States is insufficient and descriptive. Using data from the National Health Interview Surveys from 2009 to 2015, this study examines changes in health insurance status and its determinants before the ACA in 2009, during its partial implementation in 2010–2013, and after its full implementation in 2014 and 2015. The results of trend analysis indicate a significant increase in national health insurance rate from 82.2% in 2009 to 89.4% in 2015. Logistic regression analyses confirm the similar impact of age, gender, race, marital status, nativity, citizenship, education, and poverty on health insurance status before and after the ACA. Despite similar effects across years, controlling for other variables, youth aged 26 or below, the foreign-born, Asians, and other races had a greater probability of gaining health insurance after the ACA than before the ACA; however, the odds of obtaining health insurance for Hispanics and the impoverished rose slightly during the partial implementation of the ACA, but somewhat declined after the full implementation of the ACA starting in 2014. These findings should be taken into account by the U.S. Government in deciding the fate of the ACA.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-316
Author(s):  
Curt Davidson ◽  
Alan Ewert

Background: Increasingly colleges and universities are utilizing Outdoor Orientation Programs (OOPs) to help incoming students assimilate into college life. These programs have shown promise in recent analyses for enhancing desired outcomes with particular consideration shown to pro-social behavior and retention outcomes. Purpose: To examine how effective OOPs are in preparing students for a successful college student experience, particularly with variables known to influence student success and commitment to college. Methodology/Approach: Data were collected from four universities across the United States. Participants in this study were 205 undergraduate students from 17 to 25 years old who self-enrolled in their respective institutions OOP. This study used the College Student Readiness Inventory to generate a hypothesis concerning the possible effects of an OOP experience concerning predictive and outcomes variables relative to college student commitment. Findings/Conclusions: Using SmartPLS, the main effects of the OOP indicated predictive relationships between Commitment to College and Goal Striving, Communication Skills, Social Activity, Emotional Reactivity, Study Skills, and Social Connection. Academic Self-Discipline, Academic Self-Confidence, and Self-Determination on Commitment to College. Implications: Study findings suggest specific connections between predicting college student commitment before and after an OOP.


Author(s):  
Lindsay K. Admon ◽  
Vanessa K. Dalton ◽  
Giselle E. Kolenic ◽  
Susan L. Ettner ◽  
Anca Tilea ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 148 (5) ◽  
pp. 616-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.R. Echegaray ◽  
R.N. Stougaard ◽  
B. Bohannon

AbstractEuxestonotus error (Fitch) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) is considered part of the natural enemy complex of the wheat midge Sitodiplosis mosellana (Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). Although previously reported in the United States of America, there is no record for this species outside the state of New York since 1865. A survey conducted in the summer of 2015 revealed that E. error is present in northwestern Montana and is likely playing a role in the suppression of wheat midge populations.


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