Large-Scale Planning Address Interior Space Production Three Case Studies from Northern Minnesota

 

Howard Hoganson*¹, Joshua Bixby**, Susan Bergmann*** and José G. Borges*

* Associate Professor

** Graduate Student

*** Research Fellow

Department of Forest Resources. University of Minnesota, NC Research and Outreach Ctr, 1861 Highway 169 East, Grand Rapids, MN55744-3396, USA

* Associate Professor

Departamento de Engenharia Florestal. Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 LISBOA

 

Abstract. Applications of a forest management scheduling model to the forest situation in northern Minnesota added insight on how to better integrate management for ecological and economic conditions. Emphasis was on developing harvest schedules that recognise the value of older forest interior space (core area). Although ownership patterns in northern Minnesota are quite intermixed, results show that most of the gain from improving management schedules to produce old forest interior space can likely be achieved by the larger public landowners through careful spatial planning on their own lands. Simple management rules like cut in larger blocks are not likely to perform well because of lost opportunities to produce more interior space in the shorter term.

Key words: interior space; core area; forest management scheduling; dynamic programming

 

Sumário. Desenvolvem-se aplicações de um modelo de gestão para solução de um problema florestal em Minnesota. Demonstra-se o potencial deste modelo para integrar perspectivas de sustentabilidade ecológica e económica mediante o desenvolvimento de planos de cortes que reconhece o valor da área de espaço interior de floresta em classes de idade avançada. Apesar da complexidade do mosaico de regimes de propriedade em Minnesota, os resultados evidenciam que as metas relativas à dimensão daquela área de espaço interior poderão ser alcançadas com recurso ao planeamento espacial adequado de áreas públicas. Regras simples de gestão tais como a realização de cortes em manchas de grande dimensão não permitem obter resultados satisfatórios por inviabilizarem a possibilidade de oferecer mais espaço interior no curto prazo.

Palavras-chave: espaço interior; planeamento florestal; análise espacial; programação dinâmica

 

Résumé. Des applications d'un modèle de gestion forestière sont développées pour une situation de forêt au Minnesota du Nord. On démontre le potentiel de ce modèle à intégrer les perspectives écologiques et économiques moyennant le développement de plans de coupe qui identifient la valeur de l'espace intérieur de forêt plus ancienne. Bien que les modèles de régime de propriété au Minnesota du Nord soient complexes, les résultats prouvent que les buts relatifs aux dimensions de l'espace intérieur peuvent être réalisés par une planification spatiale des aires publiques. Les règles simples de gestion comme la réalisation de coupe en blocs de grande dimension ne permettent pas d'obtenir des résultats satisfaisants pour ne pas offrir plus d'espace intérieur à plus court terme.

Mots clés: espace intérieur; gestion forestière; analyse de l'espace; programmation dynamique

 

 

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Full text only available in PDF format.

 

 

Bibliography

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¹Corresponding Author E-mail: hogan001@tc.umn.edu