Practical Application of Carbon Footprint of Timber Supply Chain Using Forest Machine Data

Timber harvesting tends to generate controversy in society. Some emphasize the benefits of obtaining renewable resources, while others lament the loss of forest carbon stocks and the resulting emissions. However, as long as the wood does not decompose, it continues to store carbon. Consequently, buildings and goods made of wood become carbon sinks. To illustrate this carbon storage potential, we developed an application that calculates the carbon footprint of mechanized timber harvesting using the production reporting input files »harvested production-hpr« and »machine operating monitor-mom« in the StanForD format generated by harvesters and forwarders. The »HarvestCO2-App« is a free, user-friendly web application for forest owners, machine operators/owners, and policymakers, programmed in R with an R Shiny user interface. The app aims to raise awareness of the carbon storage potential of wood use by providing a quantitative basis for discussion. The app also inquires about the conditions under which timber was harvested. By evaluating this information alongside the calculated carbon footprint, it will be possible in the medium term to conduct a sensitivity analysis of the impact of individual factors on emissions.