Technodiversity in Forestry: Diversified supply chains for forest biomass in mountain regions
Rationale: Forest management yields a whole range of products, increasingly varied as stand characteristics and silvicultural prescriptions get closer to natural models. Therefore, multifunctional mixed forests end up producing a combination of structural timber, lower value assortments and byproducts that can find an interesting outlet in a number of innovative uses. Wise selection and processing of those byproducts fuels the bioeconomy and supports the Green Deal. In particular, various classes of byproducts can be turned into fuel chips, microchips and wood mulch that substitute fuel oil, imported pellets and polluting herbicides. In turn, provisioning such products from diversified close-to-nature mountain forests require appropriate technology, which must be efficient, safe and environmentally gentle.
Programme:
While the details of the programme are still being defined, we can already provide a general description.
Participants will be picked up in Florence by charter buses and taken to Pistoia and its surroundings. Departure will be around 08:00 and return is planned for 17:30 (arrival in Florence). The tour will include visits to the following sites:
Nursery using forest chips for mulching to replace glyphosate
Steep terrain logging operation - yarding
Small-scale wood terminal and satellite landing – chipping – firewood processing
Chip-fired heating plant (public building complex)
Lunch will be provided by a local farm, based on local specialties (homemade goat cheese, pork roast on a spit and vegetarian option)
The number of places available for the field trip is limited. Bookings will be closed once the maximum number of participants will be reached.
What to Bring: Hiking boots/shoes, hat, warm clothing, raincoat, water (additional water will be available at lunch). Helmets and high-visibility vest will be provided by the organizers.
