Department of Forestry
 

Rien Visser, Associate Professor

Teaching Responsibilities

  • FOR 3714 Forest Harvesting
  • FOR 4714 Harvesting System Evaluation
  • FOR 5714 Environment Sensitive Harvesting

Outreach Workshops

  • Introduction to cable logging and improving efficiency
  • Forest road stream crossings
  • Low impact harvesting

Selected Research Activities

  • Harvesting system analyses of mechanized machinery (Tigercat)
  • Developing harvest system productivity models (IFO Coop and USDA Forest Service)
  • Steep terrain harvesting, including cable logging studies (USDA Forest Service)
  • Slope stability modeling and risk assessment (USDA Forest Service)
  • Watershed management and monitoring programs (EPA and VDOF)
  • Small scale harvesting systems for the urban interface (VDOF)
  • Bioenergy feasibility studies (private power generation company)

Selected Publications

  • Stampfer, K., R. Visser and C. Kanzian. 2006. Cable corridor installation times for European yarders. Int. J. For. Eng. 17(2):1-7
  • Mortimer, M.J. and R.J.M. Visser. 2004. Timber harvesting and flooding: emerging legal risk and potential mitigations. South. J. Appl. For. 28(2):69-75.
  • Haynes, H.J.G. and R.J.M. Visser. 2004. An applied hardwood value recovery study in the Appalachian hardwood region of Virginia and West Virginia. Int. J. For. Eng. 15(1):25-31.
  • McDonagh, K.D., R.D. Meller, R. Visser and T.P. McDonald. 2004. Improving harvesting system efficiency through system and machine simulation. South. J. Appl. For. 28(2):91-99.
  • Visser, R.J.M., B. Troppmann and E. Pertlik. 2003. Forces in wire rope slings used to prevent log loss on steep slopes. Trans. Am. Soc. Ag. Eng. 19(1):85-88.
  • Adams, J.D., R. Visser and S.P. Prisley. 2003. GIS risk management support system for strategic harvest planning. in 2nd International Precision Forestry Conference, Seattle, WA.
  • Visser, R. and K. Stampfer. 2003. Tree-length system evaluation of second thinning in loblolly pine plantations. South. J. Appl. For. 27(1):77-82.
  • Aust, W., R. Visser, T. Gallagher, T. Roberts and M. Poirot, 2003. Cost of six different stream crossing options for the Appalachian area. South. J. Appl. For. 27(1):66-70.
  • Stampfer, K. Gridling, H. and R. Visser (2002). Analyses of parameters affecting helicopter timber extraction. Int. J. For. Eng. 12(3):7-12.
  • Haynes, H and R. Visser, 2001. Productivity improvements through professional training in Appalachian cable logging operations. Proceedings of the International Mountain Logging and 11th Pacific Northwest Skyline Symposium, December 10-13. Seattle, WA.
  • Visser, R., T. Evanson and W. Palmer. 2000. Operational monitoring for evaluating work force performance. Technologies for New Millenium. Forestry. September 11-13, 2000. Kelowne, British Columbia.
  • Visser, R., S. McMahon, T. Evanson and W. Palmer, 1999. Improving cable extraction efficiency. Liro - Forestry Solutions Report Vol. 24(16): 5 p.
  • McMahon, S., R. Visser, T. Evanson and W. Palmer, 1999. Optimizing the yarders economic productivity: Effect of timber recovery specifications and strop and choker setter combinations. Harvesting Technical Papers in Forest Engineering for Tomorrow Conference, June 28-30, Edinburgh. 12p.
  • McMahon, S., R. Visser and A. Riddle, 1999. New Zealand forest industry restructure and the emergence of value realisation tools. Harvesting Technical Papers in Forest Engineering for Tomorrow Conference, June 28-30, Edinburgh. 10p.
  • Visser, R. 1999. Effect of lateral yarding on absolute and dynamic skyline tensions. Harvesting Technical Papers in Forest Engineering for Tomorrow Conference, June 28-30, Edinburgh. 16p.
  • Visser, R. and K. Stampfer. 1998. Cable extraction of harvester felled thinnings: An Austrian case study. Journal of Forest Engineering Vol 9(1):39-46.
  • Visser, R. 1998. Schlaegerung im Steilhang mit Rueckhaltmitteln. Arbeit im Wald in Oesterreichische Forstzeitung 109(1): Pp IV-V.
  • Visser, R. 1998. Tension monitoring of forestry cable systems. Doctorate Thesis, Forest Engineering Department. Bodenkultur University, Vienna. 183 p.
  • Heinimann, H.R., R. Visser and K. Stampfer. 1998. Effects of harvester pre-bunching on the productivity of a cable yarder system. Harvesting logistics: From Woods to Markets in Council of Forest Engineering Proceedings, July 1998. 6 p.
  • Visser, R. and K. Stampfer 1998. Small and medium scale Austrian cable hauler equipment. Logging Industry Research Organisation Report Vol. 23(6): 7 p.
  • Stampfer, K., P. Daxner and R. Visser. 1998. Self propelled carriages. Liro - Forestry Solutions Technical Note 47: 4 p.
  • Visser, R. 1997. Soil disturbance surveys of forest operations: Trial of the new EU protocol method / (Mesures des perturbations du sol liees a l’exploitation forestiere: Essai du nouveau protocole europeen). Proceedings of the Management Practices for Forest Harvesting Conference: Final Meeting of the European Concerted Action Program AIR3-CT94-2097: 10 p.
  • Hartsough, B.R., R.J.M. Visser, J.A. Miles and E.S. Drews. 1997. Improved cable logging anchors for rocky soils. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 40(2):261-266.
  • Visser, R. and E. Pertlik. 1996 ‘Syncrofalke’ automated skyline hauler. Logging Industry Research Organization Technical Note 24: 2 p.
  • Palmer, D., S. McMahon, D. Fraser and R. Visser. 1996. Skyline logging to minimize impacts on native vegetation. Logging Industry Research Organization Report Vol. 21 (16): 5 p.
  • Visser, R. 1996.  Improving environmental performance: The role of the New Zealand Forest Code of Practice.  NZ Journal of Forestry Science 26(1&2): 158-162.
  • Visser, R. 1995.  New Zealand Forestry and the Forest Code of Practice.  Proceedings of UN/FAO meeting of Experts on Forest Practices, 11-15 December, Feldafing, Germany.
  • Visser, R. 1994. Environmental impacts of forest roading and transportation. Logging Industry Research Organization Transportation Conference Proceedings, Wellington, New Zealand, July 5 - 8, 1994.
  • Hartsough, B.R., R.J.M. Visser, N. Thom and J.A. Miles. 1994. Rocky soils supplement to - An earth anchor system: Installation and design guide. USDA Forest Service Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers 40(2):261-266.
  • Visser, R. and J.A. Fenton, 1993. Developing streamside management guidelines for New Zealand production forestry. Logging Industry Research Organisation Report Vol. 19 (7): 8 p.
  • Vaughan, L., R. Visser and M. Smith. 1993. New Zealand Forest Code of Practice - Second Edition. New Zealand Logging Industry Research Organization, Rotorua. 103 p.
  • Visser R. and M. McConchie 1993. The impact of riparian buffer strip characteristics of forest harvesting. Logging Industry Research Organization Report Vol. 18 (10): 8 p.
  • Hartsough, B., R. Visser, N. Thom, J. Miles, R. Copstead, 1992. Improved rocky soil anchors and installation methods for forestry use. International Mountain Logging and PNW Skyline Symposium, University of Washington.: Pp 134-148.

Professional Organizations

  • Virginia Forestry Association (VEA)
  • Council on Forest Engineering (CoFE)
  • Society of American Foresters (SAF)
  • American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE)

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