Estimating Availability of Logging Residues Using Forest Management Records at Aggregated Stands of Nasushiobara City in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

Using forest management records from 2005 to 2010, this study compared supply potentials and available logging residue amounts from profitable aggregated stands in Nasushiobara city in Tochigi prefecture with those from profitable subcompartments. Supply potentials from precommercial, commercial thinning, and final felling operations were 39,584 tons, 10,376 tons, and 3,385 tons, respectively. Available amounts at 3,000, 6,000, and 10,000 yen/ton were estimated to be 2,920 tons, 3,495 tons, and 13,334 tons from profitable subcompartments and 2,628 tons, 5,143 tons, and 29,940 tons from profitable aggregated stands, respectively. The available logging residue amounts were increased according to logging residue prices and for aggregated stands. Considering the subsidy, available amounts at 3,000, 6,000, and 10,000 yen/ton were increased to 20,526 tons, 34,981 tons, and 45,175 tons, respectively. The annual available logging residue amounts with a 3,000-yen/ton logging residue price were 3,421 tons/year over the expected demand of logging residues of 2,000 tons/year. Furthermore, the annual available logging residue amounts with a 6,000-yen/ton and a 10,000-yen/ton logging residue price were 5,830 tons/year and 7,529 tons/year over the expected demand for woody biomass of 5,000 tons/year. The supply potential and availability of logging residues, particularly from precommercial thinning operations, were signicantly increased from 2009 because of the new tax that started in April 2008.