Simulation of a Swiss wood fuel and roundwood market: An explorative study in agent-based modeling

Fabian Kostadinov, Stefan Holm, Bernhard Steubing, Oliver Thees and Renato Lemm

Forest Policy and Economics, 2014, vol. 38, issue C, 105-118

Abstract: This study discusses the potential of applying agent-based modeling (ABM) to wood markets. A corresponding model of the wood market of a Swiss canton, consisting of a coupled roundwood and wood fuel market, is presented. The model includes wood-producing agents, such as public foresters and private forest owners, roundwood-consuming agents, such as sawmills, different classes of wood fuel consumers, and in-between wood traders. Other important model elements include agent interaction and negotiation, execution and scheduling structures, and agent adaptation mechanisms. Two sets of scenarios demonstrate the model's power for scenario exploration. The first set of scenarios analyzes the effects of an excess and scarce supply of wood on both markets. The second set looks for the optimal number of roundwood agents in the market from the perspective of the various stakeholders involved. Taking a more in-depth view of important design decisions and their pros and cons, this study argues that ABM offers new opportunities for the explorative study of wood markets as a result of these markets' special characteristics.

Keywords: Agent-based modeling; Agent-based computational economics; Market simulation; Roundwood and wood fuel market; Forest management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:forpol:v:38:y:2014:i:c:p:105-118

DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2013.08.001

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