PredictingWood Skidding Direction on Steep Terrain by DEM and Forest Road Network Extension

The study presents the procedure and functioning of themodel for large-scale determination of wood skidding direction on steep slopes. The determination of wood skidding direction significantly depends on the position of the forest stand and the adjacent forest road, the characteristics of skid trail /ground/ and forest operation technology with special attention to the applied skidding means. The model evaluation of wood skidding direction is determined on the basis of forest road layout on the slope (slope, valley and ridge). The data of digital terrainmodel and digitalized forest road network were used as source data. The software can be modified according to specific technology needs by increasing the range and/or the level of suitability of individual wood skidding directions between two roads. The classification is presented for case study Forest Management Unit comprising 3000 ha. The application of the model discussed, as wll as its limitation and adaptation to changing technological condition and its development in the future