A four-stage approach to evaluate management alternatives in multiple-use forestry

Abstract

A multiple-use forest management method is developed to support decisions on insect control in state forests of a case area in Central Poland, aiming at optimisation in a socio-economic context. The model is closely linked to the specific planning situation, but its structure is adaptable to other cases of optimal decision-making on multiple-use forestry. It is a four-stage consecutive model incorporating: (i) financial value of timber production; (ii) stage (i) plus the dual value of non-market outputs; (iii) stage (ii) plus the social value of carbon storage; and (iv) stage (iii) plus the social value of recreational benefits. That is to say, the complete model covers four important multiple-use outputs of the case area. The geographical distribution of high-priority protection forest resources is very sensitive to the stage-wise application of the model, especially with respect to recreation, providing innovative decision support related to multiple-use in a socio-economic context.