A selection harvesting algorithm for use in spatially explicit individual-based forest simulation models

Ken Arii, John P. Caspersen, Trevor A. Jones and Sean C. Thomas

Ecological Modelling, 2008, vol. 211, issue 3, 251-266

Abstract: There is growing interest in using spatially explicit, individual-based forest simulation models to explore the ecological and silvicultural consequences of various harvesting regimes. However, simulating the dynamics of managed forests requires harvesting algorithms capable of accurately mimicking the harvest regimes of interest. Under selection silviculture, trees are harvested individually or in small groups, with the aim of retaining trees across a full range of size classes. An algorithm that reproduces selection harvesting must therefore be able to recreate both the spatial and the structural patterns of harvest. Here we introduce a selection harvest algorithm that simulates harvests as a contagious spatial process in which the cutting of one tree affects the probability that neighboring trees are also cut. Three simple and intuitive parameters are required to implement this process: (1) the probability of cutting a “target” tree (Pt) (often a function of tree size), (2) the probability of cutting its nearest neighbor (Pn), and (3) the total number of target trees to cut (Nt). Specification of these parameters allows representation of both the spatial and the structural patterns of harvest expected under selection silviculture.

Keywords: Harvesting algorithm; Selection harvesting; Gaps; Forest management; Tolerant hardwoods; Spatially explicit individual-based simulation model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:211:y:2008:i:3:p:251-266

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2007.09.007

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