An interactive multiobjective approach to harvest decisions in forest planning

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of forest research Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 357 - 369
• Main Authors: Krcmar-Nozic, E, Knooten, G.C. van, Vertinsky, I. (British Columbia Univ., Vancouver (Canada). Forest Economics and Policy Analysis Research Unit), Brumelle, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 1998
• Subjects: Agrarische Economie en Plattelandsbeleid; Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy; Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy Group; AMENAGEMENT FORESTIER; COSECHA; DECISION MAKING; FOREST MANAGEMENT; forest planning; FORESTRY OPERATIONS; harvest regime; HARVESTING; heuristics; interactive method; Leerstoelgroep Agrarische economie en plattelandsbeleid; MGS; multiobjective analysis; OPERACIONES FORESTALES; OPERATION FORESTIERE; ORDENACION FORESTAL; PLANIFICACION; PLANIFICATION; PLANNING; PRISE DE DECISION; RECOLTE; site disturbance; TOMA DE DECISIONES
• ISSN: 0282-7581; 1651-1891
• DOI: 10.1080/02827589809382995

A hierarchical approach to forest planning is formulated, where harvest schedules are first determined, followed by a decision about harvest methods (harvest regime). Choice of harvest methods is particularly important because of concerns about harvest-related site disturbance. In the decision model developed in this article, determination of a harvest regime is expressed as a multiple-objective decision incorporating maximization of net present value and minimization of cumulative site disturbance for different site classes, subject to maintaining high levels of production, an even flow of timber, and avoiding adjacency violations. The search for preferred harvest regimes is performed interactively over a set of non-dominated harvest schedules with alternative aspiration levels identified for the various objectives to reflect values of different stakeholders.