Analyse financière de scénarios sylvicoles visant la production de bois d’oeuvre de bouleaux jaune et à papier

Abstract

A financial profitability analysis is presented for a particular case study in Québec, using forest data coming from a management stratum located in the region of La Tuque, Quebec. Two silvicultural systems adapted to birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton and Betula papyrifera Marsh.) regeneration and production, one based on shelterwood cutting and the other on patch cutting combined with single tree selection cutting, are compared over a 120-year period. The Sylva II model has been used to simulate stratum and wood products evolution through time. The financial performance of each scenario is described as the internal rate of return and the net present value. The results demonstrate that both treatments can be profitable and that patch clearcutting combined with the single tree selection cutting system is slightly more profitable than the second system evaluated. The sensitivity analysis shows that, from all criteria considered, treatment costs and product value are the most sensitive parameters. The evolution scenario parameter appears to be the less sensitive one. Finally, the product allocation matrix is the most sensitive of all silvicultural parameters. Although results are relevant for this particular case only, the approach can be broadly applied.