Existence of solutions for an optimal control problem in forestry management

Abstract

Physical, biological, and economic factors remain inexhaustible sources when determining silvicultural management strategies that maximize the net benefit of timber volume. The objective of this paper is to formulate an optimal control problem to maximize the net benefit of timber volume and to demonstrate the existence of optimal solutions to this problem. The optimal control theory will be used, through the formulation of a bioeconomic optimal control problem subjected to a system of three ordinary differential equations that describe the interactions between the living biomass, the intrinsic growth of the biomass, and the burned area. Four control variables are associated with these differential equations, which are reforestation, felling, thinning, and fire prevention. Assuming adequate conditions on the control variables, the existence of optimal solutions to the optimal control problem is obtained using Filippov’s theorem. In conclusion, the optimal control problem is well formulated and solutions exist. This will allow us to define forest management strategies that optimize the economic gain of the process, taking into consideration the physical, biological, and economic phenomena involved in the dynamics of forest plantations.