Forest monitoring and harvesting policies

Abstract

This paper considers the problem of what information must be measured in a forest management model in order to generate optimal feedback harvesting policies. Together with this question, the paper also addresses the issue of how LP-based models can be embedded within a dynamic programming framework, so that feedback rather than open-loop decisions can be determined. The appendix to the paper presents a more general system-theoretic framework within which forest management may be studied. Issues of surprise, response to unknown disturbances, and robustness of policies are examined and a program for systematically investigating such management questions is outlined.