Economics of mixed-species forestry with ecosystem services

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 1219-1232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olli Tahvonen ◽  
Janne Rämö ◽  
Mikko Mönkkönen
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Optimal Harvesting ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Continuous Cover Forestry ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Empirical Significance ◽  
Forest Values ◽  
Flexible Management

The Faustmann–Hartman setup is widely established for specifying the economics of forest values besides timber, but it is criticized as restrictive for capturing diversity values. We show that extending the model to cover diversity attributes, i.e., mixed species and internal heterogeneity within species, is not enough to overcome these restrictions. Additionally, it is necessary to extend forest harvesting regimes to cover thinning, continuous cover forestry, and the management of commercially useless trees. Restrictions in the Faustmann–Hartman setup are first shown analytically with optimized thinning but without tree size structures. The empirical significance of these findings is shown by a model that includes four tree species, tree size structures, an extended set of forest management activities, a detailed description of harvesting costs, and a measure for stand diversity as a key factor behind ecosystem services. We show how an optimal harvesting regime, net revenues, wood output, and stand diversity depend on model flexibility, economic parameters, and the valuation of ecosystem services. In a setup allowing flexible management regimes, the costs of reaching a specified level of ecosystem services are negligible compared with those of the Faustmann–Hartman specification.

Multi-objective forestry increases the production of ecosystem services

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olalla Díaz-Yáñez ◽  
Timo Pukkala ◽  
Petteri Packalen ◽  
Manfred J Lexer ◽  
Heli Peltola
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Carbon Balance ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Simulation And Optimization ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Continuous Cover Forestry

Abstract Boreal forests produce multiple ecosystem services for the society. Their trade-offs determine whether they should be produced simultaneously or whether it is preferable to assign separate areas to different ecosystem services. We use simulation and optimization to analyse the correlations, trade-offs and production levels of several ecosystem services in single- and multi-objective forestry over 100 years in a boreal forest landscape. The case study area covers 3600 ha of boreal forest, consisting of 3365 stands. The ecosystem services and their indicators (in parentheses) considered are carbon sequestration (forestry carbon balance), biodiversity (amount of deadwood and broadleaf volume), economic profitability of forestry (net present value of timber production) and timber supply to forest industry (volume of harvested timber). The treatment alternatives simulated for each of the stands include both even-aged rotation forestry (thinning from above with clear cut) and continuous cover forestry regimes (thinning from above with no clear cut). First, we develop 200 Pareto optimal plans by maximizing multi-attribute utility functions using random weights for the ecosystem service indicators. Second, we compare the average level of ecosystem services in single- and multi-objective forestry. Based on our findings, forestry carbon balance and the amount of deadwood correlate positively with each other, and both of them correlate negatively with harvested timber volume and economic profitability of forestry. Despite this, the simultaneous maximization of multiple objectives increased the overall production levels of several ecosystem services, which suggests that the management of boreal forests should be multi-objective to sustain the simultaneous provision of timber and other ecosystem services.

scholarly journals Optimization of a forest harvesting set based on the Queueing Theory: Case study from Karelia

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilya Shegelman ◽  
Pavel Budnik ◽  
Evsey Morozov
Keyword(s):  
Queueing Theory ◽  
Timber Harvesting ◽  
Operational Efficiency ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Set Design ◽  
Optimal Harvesting ◽  
Queueing Model ◽  
Modeling Methods ◽  
The Republic

Abstract The modern technological process of timber harvesting is a complex system both technically and organizationally. Nowadays, the study of such systems and improvement of their efficiency is impossible without the use of mathematical modeling methods. The paper presents the methodology for the optimization of logging operations based on the queueing theory. We show the adapted queueing model, which characterizes the process of logging with the use of a harvesting set consisting of harvesters and forwarders. We also present the experimental verification of the designated model that confirmed mode’s adequacy. The analysis of the effectiveness of the investigated harvesting set was conducted and the recommendations for its optimization were drawn. The research was conducted in the Pryazhinsky District in the Republic of Karelia. We showed that significant improvement of operational efficiency of the investigated harvesting set in the study area cannot be done by adjusting separate machine operations (i.e. by reducing the time of operations execution and their steadiness). However, a change in the number of machines allowed significant improvement in the operational efficiency. The most optimal harvesting set design for the experimental area consisted of two harvesters and two forwarders.

scholarly journals An Ecosystem Services Valuation Research Framework for Policy Integration in Developing Countries: A Case Study from Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8250
Author(s):  
Ram Prasad Acharya ◽  
Tek Narayan Maraseni ◽  
Geoff Cockfield
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Policy Integration ◽  
Research Framework ◽  
Research Outcomes ◽  
Forest Ecosystem Services ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
High Investment ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Limited Application

Forest ecosystem services (ES) valuation research has increased exponentially in recent years, and scholars accept that such research could be useful in reshaping governments’ policies. Despite such scholarly efforts, the research outcomes have had limited application in actual policies and plans. This study explores reasons why ES valuation research recommendations are not reflected in policy processes and proposes a research framework which, when appropriately applied, would lead to the adoption of research findings. Literature review, semi-structured expert interviews (N = 29), and a workshop (N = 2), were used to achieve these objectives. Experts expressed that limited stakeholder engagement is the key factor hindering incorporation of ES research outcomes in policies and plans. We developed a framework that comprises four major components (inputs, actors, outcomes, impacts) and sets out the seven major steps involved in implementing this framework. Effective engagement of relevant stakeholders in each step is critical to integrate the ES research outcomes in policy and plans although this will demand a lengthy timeframe and a high investment requirement. Such engagement would create an environment of trust that enhances the acceptability of research outcomes among stakeholders. The acceptability of the research outcomes can increase ownership leading to more informed decision making, and ultimately yield desired outcomes in ES conservation.

Ökosystemleistungen von Dauerwäldern – eine aktuelle Analyse des Waldbaus

2013 ◽  
Vol 164 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franka Huth ◽  
Sven Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Services Utilization ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Continuous Cover Forestry ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Common

Ecosystem services and continuous cover forests – a silvicultural analysis Current concepts of “Dauerwald” or continuous cover forestry rely on complex silvicultural strategies, which are often modified according to site conditions and the management objectives of the forest owners. The preservation of continuity and the provision of an adequate structural diversity within forest ecosystems are the common underlying principles of the different concepts of continuous cover forestry. In light of the uncertainty of the predicted climatic changes, an increased risk of disturbances and changing demands regarding the services provided by forests, it is questionable whether the silvicultural strategies currently applied in the context of continuous cover forestry (e.g. “Plenterwald”) fully embrace these changes. In order to address this issue, forest structures favoured by concepts of continuous cover forestry are assessed with respect to their direct impact on different ecosystem services (utilization, conservation, recreation). The analysis illustrates that there are currently few studies dealing with the direct link between the silvicultural strategies applied in continuous cover forests, the forest structures resulting therefrom and, subsequently, the provided ecosystem services. Although continuous cover forests deliver a wide range of ecosystem services, their concept must nevertheless be developed further, because even in continuous cover forests the equitable maximization of diverse ecosystem services cannot be realized.

Tree-size diversity between single- and mixed-species stands in three forest types in western Canada

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 593-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pàl Varga ◽  
Han YH Chen ◽  
Karel Klinka
Keyword(s):  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Western Redcedar ◽  
Size Diversity

Mixed-species stands are hypothesized to be more structurally diverse because of inherent differences in growth rates between tree species. We investigated three combinations of even-aged, single- and mixed-species coniferous stands in western Canada: (i) shade-tolerant western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) and western redcedar (Thuja plicata (Donn ex D. Don) Spach), (ii) shade-intolerant lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) and western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.), and (iii) shade-intolerant lodgepole pine and shade-tolerant black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP). We quantified stand structural diversity based on tree diameter and height by using Shannon's index and the coefficient of variation. Regression analysis was applied to examine the relationships between structural diversity, species composition, and stand age. Mixed-species stands of western hemlock and western redcedar had similar structural diversity to their respective single-species stands. Pine–larch and pine–spruce mixed-species stands had higher tree-size diversity than their respective single-species stands. Stand age was a significant factor for tree-size diversity, but its effect changed in different ways depending on the type of mixtures and index used to measure diversity.

scholarly journals How Well Do Stakeholder-Defined Forest Management Scenarios Balance Economic and Ecological Forest Values?

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeannette Eggers ◽  
Minna Räty ◽  
Karin Öhman ◽  
Tord Snäll
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Ecological Indicators ◽  
Forest Landscape ◽  
Management Scenarios ◽  
Continuous Cover Forestry ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Management Regimes ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Forest Values

Research Highlights: We show the difference in the long-term effects on economic and ecological forest values between four forest management scenarios of a large representative forest landscape. The scenarios were largely formulated by stakeholders representing the main views on how to manage north-European forests. Background and Objectives: Views on how to balance forest management between wood production and biodiversity differ widely between different stakeholder groups. We aim to show the long-term consequences of stakeholder-defined management scenarios, in terms of ecological and economic forest values. Materials and Methods: We simulated management scenarios for a forest landscape in Sweden, based on the management objectives and strategies of key stakeholders. We specifically investigated the difference in economic forest values coupled to wood supply and ecological indicators coupled to structural biodiversity between the scenarios over a 100-year period. The indicators were net present value, harvest, growing stock and increment, along with deadwood volume, the density of large trees, area of old forests and mature broadleaf-rich forests. Results: We show that the scenarios have widely different outcomes in terms of the studied indicators, and that differences in indicator outcome were largely due to different distributions in management regimes, i.e., the proportion of forest left unmanaged or under even-aged management or continuous cover forest, as well as specific retention practices. Retention and continuous cover forestry mitigate the negative effects that clear-cut forestry has upon biodiversity. Conclusions: We found that an increase in the forest area under the continuous cover forestry regime could be a cost-efficient way to increase structural diversity in managed boreal forests. On the other hand, no single management regime performed best with respect to all indicators, which means that a mixture of several management regimes is needed to balance conflicting objectives. We also show that the trade-off between economic and ecological indicators was not directly proportional, meaning that an increase in structural biodiversity may be obtained at a proportionally low cost with appropriate management planning.

Crown structure and growth efficiency of red spruce in uneven-aged, mixed-species stands in Maine

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1233-1240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas A Maguire ◽  
John C Brissette ◽  
Lianhong Gu
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Volume Growth ◽  
Growth Efficiency ◽  
Tree Size ◽  
Red Spruce ◽  
Stem Volume ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
South Central ◽  
Tree Leaf

Several hypotheses about the relationships among individual tree growth, tree leaf area, and relative tree size or position were tested with red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) growing in uneven-aged, mixed-species forests of south-central Maine, U.S.A. Based on data from 65 sample trees, predictive models were developed to (i)estimate the amount of foliage held by individual trees from sapwood cross-sectional area and (ii)define the relationship between stem volume growth and three variables: total foliage area, relative position in the stand, and the degree of past suppression. A model that included variables representing tree size (or relative social position) and degree of past suppression (live branch whorls per unit crown length) indicated that stem volume growth first increased but later decreased over leaf area when other variables were held constant. Growth efficiency declined with increasing tree leaf area, although greater height and diameter enhanced growth efficiency and greater past suppression diminished growth efficiency. The decline in growth efficiency with greater leaf area likely is attributable to one or several of the factors previously identified as contributing to growth declines in mature, even-aged stands.

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