Buffer Strips on the Low-Lying Plain of Veneto Region (Italy): Environmental Benefits and Efficient Use of Wood as an Energy Resource.

Vegetated buffer strips (VBS) are recognized as a cost-effective way to reduce agricultural nonpoint-source pollution. In agroecosystems with high field fragmentation, only narrow VBS that partially compromise farmers' revenue are accepted. This study aimed to identify some ecosystem services as provided by VBS in terms of soil and water quality, and VBS performance in terms of wood for energy purposes. Buffer strip design (3 vs. 6 m wide) and composition were considered to define best practices for wood use at the farm level and for the local firewood market. Results showed that yearly wood pole production was 0.5 t 100 m, on average, ranging between a minimum of 0.22 t 100 m and a maximum of 0.72 t 100 m per row. Wood production had negligible effects on farmers' revenue. By contrast, water quality was enhanced, especially with 6-m-wide VBS. Specific subsidies for the maintenance of VBS increased total income despite a reduction in crop production (-17.5% in 6-m VBS with two rows). Subsidies might be better quantified at a site-specific level by taking into account all ecosystem services that are provided by VBS. Promising solutions to increase farmers' income are related to the wood seasoning process for firewood production; reducing the moisture content to <25% before the start of the winter season increases its market value.

Risk Assessment for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Forestry: A Comparison between RULA and REBA in the Manual Feeding of a Wood-Chipper.

The analysis of the postural attitude of workers during the interaction with workstation's elements and working environment is essential in the evaluation and prevention of biomechanical overload risk in workplaces. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) are the two easiest methods for postural risk assessment in the workplace. Few studies investigated postural risk in forestry sector with regard to human⁻machine interaction, in particular manually fed wood-chippers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postures assumed by an operator during the manual feeding of a wood-chipper, and to compare RULA and REBA, in order to identify the more effective and appropriate method for the assessment of the risk of biomechanical postural overload. The results pointed out several postural issues of the upper limbs, and showed that RULA is a more precautionary method to protect operator's health during the targeted tasks. Implications to improve the human⁻wood-chipper interaction are discussed.

Assessment of noise level and noise propagation generated by light-lift helicopters in mountain natural environments.

The use of helicopter rises discussion about environmental noise propagation especially when it operates in proximity of environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) for an extended period because of its potential implications in wildlife behaviours. In order to support decisions on helicopter logging operation management in proximity of ESAs, this study focused on (i) analysing the noise spectrum of a light-lift helicopter during logging operations and on (ii) assessing the noise propagation in the surrounding environments. This study investigated a helicopter logging operation for wood fuel extraction in the eastern part of the Italian Alps. The potential disturbance area covered for the entire helicopter logging operation was evaluated by a specific GIS application according to hearing sensitivity of the most sensitive wildlife species in the study area (different strigiform species). The noise level at the ground appeared to be affected by the location regardless both the use of equivalent continuous sound pressures level dB(A) (LAeq) and the single-event level (SEL) noise metrics. The lowest values were recorded when the helicopter was flown over the sound meter level located under the forest canopy, while the highest was recorded when the helicopter was unhooking the loads at the landing. The GIS application highlighted the consistent of the exceeded noise area (weighted to strigiform hearing range and sensitivity) for the lower frequency bands (0.016-0.250 kHz). A more restricted exceeded noise area concerned instead the most sensitive frequency bands" for the strigiform (1-2 kHz). Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Retrospective study on search and rescue operations in two prealps areas of Italy.

OBJECTIVES: The rising number of people involved in outdoor recreation and tourism in mountain forest and wilderness areas close to urban areas has led to an increase of rescue efforts in the last decades. The study analyzes rescue operations in 2 mountain areas of the Veneto Prealps in Italy. METHODS: A retrospective review of search and rescue incident reports for a 20-year period was performed. The study also takes into consideration any differences between accidents in the 2 areas in relation to the morphology and mountain activities involved. RESULTS: There has been an increase in accidents, and the greater participation in mountain activities does not seem to be accompanied by an improvement in knowledge of the specific risks in this kind of environment. Inexperience is reflected in many reasons for callouts and is related to the remarkable rise in the number of rescued but uninjured people; the trend of fatalities and injuries is otherwise stable. Comparison of the 2 areas reveals differences in accidents mainly attributable to diversities in mountain activities involved that led to different health consequences. CONCLUSIONS: Search and rescue missions in mountain areas are dangerous for rescuers and made difficult by the severe environment. The knowledge of accident characteristics is therefore very important and is necessary to reduce risks for tourists and healthcare costs. To tackle the problem of safety there is also a need for more information in the form of preventive education and publicity about the typical hazards.