Optimizing spatial habitat suitability and timber revenue in long-term forest planning

Abstract

Effective tools must be developed that include consideration of biodiversity in the traditional forest planning process. The objective of this study is to present a spatial habitat suitability model that could be included in the optimization of long-term forest planning where the problem can be solved with an exact solution method. This could be an advantage, since, e.g., many forest planning systems available today are designed for problems that could be solved with an exact solution method. The habitat model consists of two parts: suitability assessment of stand-wise conditions and spatial conditions. To investigate whether the model works in a realistic setting, we used a case study and applied the model to the habitat demands for Hazel Grouse ( Bonasa bonasia L.). The results from the case study indicate that the model is effective for including spatial habitat consideration and that the model could be used for creating different degrees of the clustering of habitats. Further, the loss in net present value as a result of the spatial habitat demands was limited in the case study. We suggest that this modeling approach could be extended to other species with large area requirements and add to the existing tools for forest biodiversity assessment in forest management planning.

Improving forest management planning by means of airborne laser scanning and dynamic treatment units based on spatial optimization

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Scenario analyses on the effects of forest management and CMIP5 climate projections on timber production and carbon stocks of upland boreal forests in Finland

“…On the other hand, based on a studies by Hynynen et al (2015) and Heinonen et al (2018), there is potential to increase simultaneously annual removals by applying more intensive forest management, such as increase in forest fertilization and use of improved seedlings stock. From the forest owner point of view, possible compensation of economic losses for increase in forest conservation areas (Mökkönen et al 2009;Öhman et al 2011;Triviño et al 2015) may help to balance the bioeconomy and biodiversity targets at the national level.…”

Non-market forest ecosystem services and decision support in Nordic countries

“…A number of models focused on the spatial aspects of planning such as the allocation of conservation and recreation sites (e.g. Juutinen et al 2004;Öhman et al 2011), while others included participatory aspects (e.g. Nordström et al 2011;Mustajoki et al 2011) and land owners' perspectives (e.g.…”