A Multiobjective Approach to Strategic Forest Planning: Defining the Desired Future Land-use Patterns for a Forest Station

This paper proposes a strategic planning system that is aimed at analyzing land suitability and directly delineating desired forest land-use patterns. It consists of 2 key components: an interactive multiobjective planning process and Spectrum (forest-planning software developed by the USDA Forest Service). This study utilizes a linear programming approach to land-use planning, and is multiobjective and integrated with a group decision process to accommodate the multiobjective and multistakeholder context of forest management. Spectrum is the major planning tool of this system. It allows the system to link with a geographic information system to enhance the spatial analysis in an interactive and iterative solution process. This system is intended to be used to assist in subdividing forestlands of national forests in Taiwan. An application of this planning system is presented using the Hui Sun Forest Station as a pilot study, and some problems with its application are also discussed.