[IUFRO Div 3] Special Issue "Forest Operations on Sloping Land: Operating, Environmental and Safety Constraints"

Dear IUFRO D3 Community members, I am pleased to announce to you a new Special Issue "Forest Operations on Sloping Land: Operating, Environmental and Safety Constraints" runned by Forests journal. You are kindly invited to contribute developing new ideas and research directions on such important topic. *Special Issue: Forest Operations on Sloping Land: Operating, Environmental and Safety Constraints* *Journal*: *Forests * *Guest Editors*: *Prof. Dr. Raffaele Cavalli*, Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry TESAF, University of Padova, Padova, Italy *Dr. Andrew McEwan*, Forestry and Wood Technology, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa Forest operations often need to take place on steep slopes. This is due to flatter land often being used for alternative land use, such as agriculture. Operating on steep slopes presents technology and management challenges. Harvesting machines and systems are subjected to harsher working conditions that affect machine reliability, resulting in mechanical breakdowns, and can also reduce machine productivity due to the need to overcome gravity during uphill operations and the need for slower operations when working on side slopes or down steep slopes, which affects machine stability. Human manoeuvrability can also increase the safety risk as machines can roll over and ground-based workers can struggle to carry out manual work safely. Environmental damage can also be a consequence, as harvesting machines can disturb soil, which can result in site erosion. Therefore, the correct technology must be applied according to the slope and soil conditions, and it needs to be operated according to good practice. This requires good planning as well as well trained and motivated employees. New technology can allow for forest operations to be cost effectively carried out on steep slopes while also minimising environmental impacts and reducing safety risks. *Deadline*: *1 May 2021* *Details*: *https://www.mdpi.com/journal/forests/special_issues/forests_operations <https://www.mdpi.com/journal/forests/special_issues/forests_operations> * For any further information please contact the Guest Editors raffaele.cavalli(a)unipd.it andrew(a)cmogroup.net Raffaele Cavalli ________________________________________ Prof. Raffaele Cavalli Dip. TESAF Università degli Studi di Padova Viale dell'Università 16 35020 Legnaro PD Italy tel. + 39 (0)49 827 2724 fax + 39 (0)49 827 2750 mobile + 39 340 576 5545 e-mail raffaele.cavalli(a)unipd.it Skype raffaele.cavalli http://www.tesaf.unipd.it/cavalli http://www.tesaf.unipd.it/biofuel