Abstract
Close-to-nature management (CTNM) is the most promising option for plantation silviculture and has received widespread attention in recent years. Stand density is a key variable in CTNM, as it directly influences growth and yield. Research for the optimal density that maximizes the total harvest has been ongoing. In this paper, a dynamic programming model was applied to the CTNM of Phoebe bournei plantations for the first time to solve the problem of stand density and target tree density control. This paper took Phoebe bournei plantations in Jindong Forest Farm of Hunan Province as the research object. Based on the data of seven consecutive years from 2015 to 2021, Richard’s growth equation was used to fit the height growth equation and basal area growth equation of Phoebe bournei. Stand growth was divided into five development stages according to the forest growth process and characteristics. Stand density and basal area were selected as two-dimensional state variables, and the maximum total harvest in the entire stand growth process was used as the objective function to establish a dynamic programming model. The optimal stand density and target tree density at each growth stage of the stand under three different site conditions were determined. According to the results obtained, the objective forest shape was designed for the stand under three types of site conditions, which can provide a theoretical basis for the CTNM of Phoebe bournei plantations to make the stand achieve the maximum harvest.
Highlights
Stand density and basal area were selected as two-dimensional state variables, and the maximum total harvest in the entire stand growth process was used as the objective function to establish a dynamic programming model
This paper focuses on the maximum total harvest to determine the optimal density of different stages under three types of site conditions through the establishment of a dynamic programming model
A dynamic programming model was established based on the theory of Close-tonature management (CTNM)
Summary
A multitude of strategies to adapt forest management to climate change have been proposed [1,2]. Sustainable forest management targeting sustainable social, economic, and environmental development is a global trend under a climate change scenario [3]. Close-tonature management (CTNM) is a promising forestry management approach to meet the criteria for sustainable forestry [4]. Compared with the other two management methods to mitigate climate change, that is, structure-based forest management (SBFM) [5,6] and secondary forest comprehensive silvicuture (SFCS) [7,8], the differences in CTNM are that it pays attention to the feasibility of ecology and environment [9], and simultaneously integrates wood production and ecological service functions of a forest at a relatively small spatial scale, such as the stand level, by developing a structure similar to that of an original forest [10]. A main objective of CTNM is to increase tree growth or improve tree quality on a sustainable basis
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