Extension of Cut-to-Length Logging Trails on Salvage Logging Operations: An Overview of the Northeastern Italian Alps

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of disturbances, calling for extensive salvage logging operations. This study examines fully mechanized cut-to-length operations in the northeastern Italian Alps as a response to windthrow and bark beetle outbreaks following Storm Vaia. Using high-resolution orthophotos, logging trail extent, density, and configuration were analyzed in relation to terrain and ecological sensitivity. A total of 29 forest sites, covering a worksite area of 1078 hectares, were analyzed, with a combined trail length exceeding 700 km. Results indicate an average logging trail density of 500 m/ha, and a machine-trafficked area percentage of 22%. Terrain analysis revealed that 68% of the worksite area was below a 30% slope, facilitating machinery operations, while 32% of the site required adaptive strategies for steeper terrain. Additionally, depth-to-water maps were implemented to assess sensitive zones according to different moisture conditions, revealing that one-fifth of the trafficked zones were at higher risk of soil disturbances due to potentially high moisture levels. This study provides critical baseline data on mechanized salvage logging effects at a large scale, offering insights for future data-driven decision making for efficient planning under sustainable forest management.