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GIS and Logistics in Forestry

Course developer

Prior knowledge

MežZ2037, Timber Transportation

MežZ2044, Forest Work and Machinery III

MežZ3075, Forest Infrastructure II

Course abstract

The course provides knowledge about possibilities of using GIS in the forest sector, as well as timber and other forest resources movement principles through supply chain. The course deals with forest stand measurement opportunities using GNSS / GPS and remote sensing sensors. During the course students practically process data in various mapping programs. Students get understanding about forest resource supply chain planning, management and control. Roundwood movement logistics solutions and application of appropriate software for the timber supply chain management is studied.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

• Knowledge about: 1) the nature and role of logistics in the forest sector, logistics flows and their organizations, 2) timber transport planning and cost accounting of transport, 3) fundamental principles of geographic information systems and global navigation satellite systems, their application possibilities in the forest sector.
• Skills: 1) to analyze and manage the flow of information from forestry operation planning till final consumer of wood products, 2) choose the optimal supply chain and perform effective planning of product transportation, 3) use appropriate methods for creation, processing and control of cartographic data and databases.
• Competence - the student is able to use information technology in timber supply chain management and supervision. Able to work with various mapping programs and to prepare a forest stand plan according to the specification of Latvian forest inventory.

Course Content(Calendar)

1 Necessity and types of forest surveying. (lecture 3 h)
2 Geographic information systems (GIS), their use in the forest sector. (lecture 1 h)
3 Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), their devices. (lecture 3 h)
4 Use of aerial photography and aerial laser scanning data in the forest sector. (lecture 3 h)
5 Use of specialized computer programs (QGIS, ArcGis, ArcPad, etc.). (lecture 3 h, practical work 4 h)
6 Creation, display and design of cartographic data. Raster data and vector data. (lecture 3 h)
7 Requirements for preparation, design and survey of felling sketches. (lecture 2 h)
8 Acquisition of basic orientation skills. (lecture 3 h)
9 General basic principles of logistics theory, their application in logging and timber transport. (lecture 3 h)
10 Wood products supply chain, its flows. (lecture 3 h)
11 Basic principles of planning and organizing timber preparation and delivery works. (lecture 3 h, practical work 4 h)
12 Peculiarities of energy wood supply chain formation. (lecture 3 h)
13 Timber supply chain management and monitoring using information technology. (lecture 3 h)
14 Organization of timber transport logistics. (lecture 2 h)
15 Logging and timber logistics practice and experience in the world. (lecture 2 h)
16 Timber Supply Chain Game. (lecture 3 h, practical work 4 h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

All practical assignments, successfully written test (50% of the total grade) and successfully passed the exam (50% of the total grade) must be fully developed.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent preparation for knowledge control by studying special literature and using study resources available in the e-learning environment within the study course

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

All practical assignments, successfully written test (50% of the total grade) and successfully passed the exam (50% of the total grade) must be fully developed.

Compulsory reading

1. Vanags V. Fotogrammetrija: Mūsdienu Latvijas topogrāfiskās kartes. Rīga: LR Valsts Zemes Dienests, 2003. 295 lpp.
2. Galati S.R. Geographic Information Systems Demystified. Boston; London: Artech House Publishers, 2006. 302 p.
3. Praude V. Loģistika. Rīga: Burtene, 2013. 560 lpp.
4. Birzietis G. Loģistikas pamati. Jelgava, 2007. 61 lpp.

Further reading

1. Köhl M.,Magnussen S., Marchet M. Sampling methods, remote sensing and GIS multiresource forest inventory. Springers Publishers, 2007. 236 p.
2. Gourdin K.N. Global Logistics Management: a Competitive Advantage for the 21st Century. Malden: Blackwell Publishing, 2006. 318 p. Ir LUB; RTU.
3. Салминен Э. О., Борозна A. A., Тюрин Н. А. Лесопромышленная логистика. Санкт-Петербург: ПРОФИ-ИНФОРМ, 2005. 260 c.

Periodicals and other sources

1. "Baltijas Koks" ISSN 1407-6667
2. "Dienas Bizness" ISSN 1407-2041
3. "Baltic Forestry" ISSN 1392-1355