Optimal structure and development of uneven-aged Norway spruce forests

Optimal harvesting of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests is studied applying an individual-tree model for uneven-aged management. Optimization is carried out by gradient-based, large-scale interior point methods. Assuming volume maximization and natural regeneration, it is optimal to apply uneven-aged management. Under artificial regeneration, the result is the reverse. Economically optimal solutions with a 20-year harvesting interval produce an annual sawn timber output of 4.4–2.4 m3·ha–1 depending on thermal zone and interest rate. Before harvest basal area varies between 18 and 12 m2·ha–1 and the diameter of harvested trees between 15 and 33 cm. In contrast with the classic inverted J-structure, optimal steady-state size structure resembles a serrate form. Profitability of even- and uneven-aged management is compared assuming that the initial stand state represents an optimal uneven-aged steady state. A switch to even-aged management is optimal given the most favorable growth conditions an...

[1]  Taneli Kolström,et al.  Modelling the development of an uneven‐aged stand of Picea abies , 1993 .

[2]  Klaus J. Puettmann,et al.  A Critique of Silviculture: Managing for Complexity , 2008 .

[3]  R. Haight.  Evaluating the efficiency of even-aged and uneven-aged stand management , 1987 .

[4]  K. Andreassen,et al.  Economic consequences of three silvicultural methods in uneven‐aged mature coastal spruce forests of central Norway , 2002 .

[5]  K. Hyytiäinen,et al.  Maximum Sustained Yield, Forest Rent or Faustmann: Does it Really Matter? , 2003 .

[6]  Robert G. Haight,et al.  Optimizing any-aged management of mixed-species stands. I, Performance of a coordinate-search process , 1990 .

[7]  Joseph Buongiorno,et al.  Predicting the growth of stands of trees of mixed species and size: A matrix model for Norway , 2008 .

[8]  Robert Hooke,et al.  `` Direct Search'' Solution of Numerical and Statistical Problems , 1961, JACM.

[9]  Terje Gobakken,et al.  T: A forest simulator for bioeconomic analyses based on models for individual trees , 2008 .

[10]  P. Wikström,et al.  A solution method for uneven-aged management applied to Norway spruce , 2000 .

[11]  Olli Tahvonen,et al.  Even-Aged and Uneven-Aged Forest Management in Boreal Fennoscandia: A Review , 2012, AMBIO.

[12]  M. Roma,et al.  Large-Scale Nonlinear Optimization , 2006 .

[13]  Robert G. Haight,et al.  Optimizing Any-Aged Management of Mixed-Species Stands: II. Effects of Decision Criteria , 1990, Forest Science.

[14]  Alan R. Ek,et al.  Optimizing the Management of Uneven-aged Forest Stands , 1974 .

[15]  M. B. Usher,et al.  A Matrix Approach to the Management of Renewable Resources, with Special Reference to Selection Forests-Two Extensions , 1969 .

[16]  Timo Pukkala,et al.  Growth and yield models for uneven-sized forest stands in Finland. , 2009 .

[17]  B. Bruce Bare,et al.  Optimizing Species Composition in Uneven-Aged Forest Stands , 1987, Forest Science.

[18]  O. Tahvonen.  OPTIMAL CHOICE BETWEEN EVEN‐ AND UNEVEN‐AGED FORESTRY , 2008 .

[19]  Timo Pukkala,et al.  Optimizing the structure and management of uneven-sized stands of Finland , 2010 .

[20]  Timo Pukkala,et al.  Optimal management of uneven-aged Norway spruce stands , 2010 .

[21]  Jorge Nocedal,et al.  Knitro: An Integrated Package for Nonlinear Optimization , 2006 .

[22]  K. Hyytiäinen,et al.  Economics of Forest Thinnings and Rotation Periods for Finnish Conifer Cultures , 2002 .

[23]  H. Siiskonen.  The conflict between traditional and scientific forest management in 20th century Finland , 2007 .