A Scenario-Based Method for Assessing the Impact of Suggested Woodland Key Habitats on Forest Harvesting Costs
1
Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, P.O. Box 115, Ås 1431, Norway
2
Molde University College, P.O. Box 2110, Molde 6402, Norway
3
Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, Fanaflaten 4, Fana 5244, Norway
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Forests 2014, 5(9), 2327-2344; https://doi.org/10.3390/f5092327
Received: 25 March 2014 / Revised: 8 September 2014 / Accepted: 10 September 2014 / Published: 22 September 2014
Abstract
Variable retention harvesting is acknowledged as a cost-effective conservation measure, but previous studies have focused on the environmental value and planning cost. In this study, a model is presented for optimizing harvesting cost using a high resolution map generated from airborne laser scanning data. The harvesting cost optimization model is used to calculate the objective value of different scenarios. By comparing the objective values, better estimates of the opportunity cost of woodland key habitats are found. The model can be used by a forest manager when evaluating what silvicultural treatments to implement or as an input for improving the nature reserve selection problem for woodland key habitats or retention patches. The model was tested on four real-world cases, and the results indicate that terrain transportation costs vary more than reported in the literature and that it may be worthwhile to divide the opportunity cost into its direct and indirect components. View Full-TextKeywords:
reserve selection problem; green tree retention; decision support; opportunity cost; forest harvesting
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MDPI and ACS Style
Søvde, N.E.; Sætersdal, M.; Løkketangen, A. A Scenario-Based Method for Assessing the Impact of Suggested Woodland Key Habitats on Forest Harvesting Costs. Forests 2014, 5, 2327-2344.