Evaluating Noise Propagation From Cross-Cutting Operations In Forest Environment

Evaluating Noise Propagation from Cross-Cutting Operations in Forest Environment Salvatore F. Papandrea*, Stefano Grigolato, Maria F. Cataldo, Giuseppe Zimbalatti and Andrea R. Proto

Technological innovation, industrial development and urbanisation have brought many important contributions and benefits to human life, but have also had some negative impacts on natural resources and ecosystems. One of these negative effects is anthropogenic noise pollution, which is an important element of environmental disturbance and a growing problem in our daily lives. Forestry operations often involve the use of equipment and machinery that can produce noise and represent a potential permanent or temporary disturbance to wildlife. In Italy there is currently a medium level of mechanisation in forestry, and the most commonly used equipment in forestry operations is the chainsaw, whose noise affects not only the operator but also the local wildlife. In fact, during felling, delimbing and cross-cutting operations, chainsaws of different power and size emit high and prolonged levels of noise that spread throughout the environment and the forest. The aim of the work was to carry out a first experimental approach to assess the range and intensity of the noise generated by different chainsaw models. The study was carried out in a forest in a sensitive area of the Sila National Park (southern Italy), where a pilot simulation of cross-cutting was tested on beech and Corsican pine logs. The simulation consisted of cutting discs of approximately 3 cm thickness from logs of approximately the same diameter. The cutting was carried out with 3 different chainsaw models of low, medium and high power. The assessment of noise exposure during cross-cutting was carried out using 26 sound dataloggers, which recorded the sound levels in a geometric pattern to assess the propagation of noise in the test area. Before and after each series of measurements, a field calibration was carried out with appropriate adjustments using a sound calibrator. Each data logger was mounted 2 metres above the ground and positioned at a distance noted by the operator. The test area, with the noise source in the middle, was divided into the 4 main directions. The measurements were carried out in a forest environment using an appropriately set up measurement system in order to recreate a realistic condition.