Estimate of the Cost of the First Thinning Methodology for Algarrobo Blanco (Prosopis Alba): Applied in the Case of a Plantation in Herrera, Santiago Del Estero, Argentina
Facultad de Ciencias Forestales. Universidad Nacional de Santiago de Estero
Facultad de Ciencias Forestales. Universidad Nacional de Santiago de Estero
The first forest thinning operation at a five-year-old algarrobo blanco (Prosopis alba) commercial plantation in Herrera (Department of Avellaneda) in the province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina was analyzed using a time and movement study to determine operational productivity and costs associated with the shoring process using a chainsaw. Effective and operative times were measured and the volume was calculated with respect to bark, efficiency, productivity and the direct cost of thinning. The sample of 226 trees had a cut volume of 1.19 m3. The average operative time was 77 s/tree and the median effective time was 49 s/tree. A strong correlation was found between the effective working time with the tool and the variables for greater diameter and volume of the trees. The operational efficiency was 63.3%. Productivity per hour when felling trees was 0.25 m3/h (47 trees/h). The daily cost of the operation was 781 $/day, and the unit thinning cost was 527 $/m3 (1 US$ = 8.12 $ in May of 2014).
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