LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF BLACK LOCUST AND POPLAR TIMBER PRODUCTION IN HUNGARY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59465/ijfr.2026.13.2.269-282Keywords:
Life Cycle Assessment, carbon footprint, climate change mitigation, environmental impacts, long-rotation management systemsAbstract
Forests play a vital role in carbon sequestration and storage through photosynthesis. However, in Hungary, only a few studies have elaborated on the potential carbon emissions that are released during forest operations. The objective of this study was to assess the potential environmental impacts (including the carbon footprint) of forest operation in timber production. Data collection and data analysis followed the life cycle assessment (LCA) procedure in ISO 14044. Furthermore, for calculating the result of the life cycle impact assessment, we used the Sphera LCA for Experts Education License version 9.2.1.68 Software. The findings showed that fuel consumption and agrochemicals applications (fertilizer and pesticides) drive key impact categories-acidification, resource depletion, and global warming potential- with harvesting identified as the largest contributor to the overall environmental impact. Harvesting activity has contributed more dominantly to abiotic depletion, acidification potential, global warming potential, human toxicity potential, ozone layer depletion potential, and terrestrial ecotoxicity potential than thinning and plantation establishment activities. Furthermore, based on the input sources, applications of fertilizer have contributed significantly to global warming potential, followed by fuels and lubricants, respectively. According to research findings, the application of fertilizer and fuel consumption should be reduced to minimize the lower environmental impacts.
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