Planning of logging methods by using GIS based decision support system

Logging operations is very costly and time consuming activities in extraction of forest products in Turkey. Logging methods are mainly determined based on terrain conditions, especially ground slope. Unplanned logging operations may cause environmental impacts such as residual stand damage and soil hazards. In mechanized logging operations, soil hazards can lead to permanent impacts on forest ecosystem. Thus, the optimum logging methods should be planned by considering economic factors as well as topographical factors and soil types. In recent decades, some of the improved functions of Geographical Information System (GIS) help managers to find solutions to such complex transportation problems with many restrictions. In this study, it was aimed to plan logging operations by using GIS techniques integrated with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach while considering ground slope and soil type as constraints. This method was implemented in Oylat Forest Enterprise Chief in İnegöl Forest Enterprise Directorate border in the city of Bursa. Alternative transportation methods were cable system, chute system, skidder, and farm tractor. The results indicated that GIS-based method using AHP revealed the optimum logging method was skidder for about 60% of the study area. On the other hand, farm tractor was found to be the second most suitable method with 25% ground cover. The results showed that GIS-based decision support systems can be effectively used as rational, quick, and economic tool for forest transportation planning. Keywords: Forest Transportation, GIS, AHP, Decision Support System.