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Monday 12 September 2016

Introduction to Multi-Objective Forest Planning

Published Date
Volume 6 of the series Managing Forest Ecosystems pp 1-19

Title 

Introduction to Multi-Objective Forest Planning

  • Author 
  • Timo Pukkala

Abstract

The purpose of forest planning is to support forestry decision-making by suggesting management alternatives, providing information about their consequences, and helping the decision maker to rank the alternatives. In multi-objective forest planning, forest plans are evaluated using various multiple criteria decision support methods and multi-objective optimisation algorithms. Multiple criteria comparison methods help to systematise subjective evaluations whereas multi; objective optimisation seeks the best plan among a huge number of alternatives using automated computer-based search methods. The ranking of alternatives depends on the preferences of the decision maker, both in multiple criteria comparison and in multi-objective optimisation. A careful analysis of preferences is an important step of any multi-objective planning case. The quantitative approach to decision-making suggests that a specific planning model be developed for every planning situation. This model is then solved, the result being a candidate plan that must pass various post-optimisation tests and analyses. There are several ways to prepare a multi-objective planning model, based on linear programming, goal programming, penalty functions or multi-attribute utility theory. The planning model may be solved using mathematical programming techniques or various heuristics. The use of heuristic optimisation has gained popularity in forest planning along the increasing importance of ecological forest management goals, which are often described with spatial variables. Examples of heuristics available to multi-objective forest planning are random ascent heuristics, simulated annealing, tabu search and genetic algorithm. Practical forest plans are produced in a computerised system, which includes subsystems for data management, simulation of stand development, planning model generation and optimisation, and subjective evaluation of alternative plans.

References

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For further details log on website :
http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-015-9906-1_1

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