Joaquin Solana Gutierrez

Multiple-use forest planning model for second-growth forests of roble–raulí–coihue (genus Nothofagus )

Second-growth natural forests of roble–raulí–coihue are an important resource that must be managed from a multiple-use perspective. The objective of this work is to develop a thinning and harvest scheduling model for this type of forests aiming at maximizing profit while maintaining areas with minimum levels of biodiversity and landscape protection. The proposed model is based on a linear programming approach and incorporates constraints on timber yield flow and biodiversity levels as well as on clearcutting in high visibility areas. The evolution of forest diversity along the planning horizon has been modeled and both biodiversity and landscape indicators have been calculated. The model allows for the assessment of the physical and economic effects of management decisions, providing optimal resource allocation solutions for different scenarios and marginal values both for the land resource and for activities, such as biodiversity conservation or landscape protection, leading to the provision of non-market outputs.