Spatial adjacency constraints effect in optimized forest planning

Abstract

The objective of the study was to apply the spatial adjacency constraints in the forest harvest scheduling when using the traditional forest planning model. It was analyzed and compared the impact on NPV (Net Present Value) and the volumetric production of wood. The area of study was formed by 52 stands of eucalyptus. A total of 254 forest management alternatives were simulated, where 4 forest harvest scheduling scenarios contained the integer linear programming were created, following the model type I and the maximization of the NPV for 7 years of the horizon planning. Spatial adjacency constraints were applied to scenarios 2 (URM), 3 (ARM50) and 4 (ARM70) but not to scenario 1. The results showed that the spatial adjacency constraints reduced NPV in 3,74%, 2,24% and 2,10%, and the volumetric production in 2,92%, 1,79% e 1,73% through the scenarios 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Therefore, the scenarios 2, 3, and 4 obtained success in controlling the adjacent harvested stands, according to their restrictions, and avoiding the creation of large and continuous areas such as observed in the scenario 1 (153,25ha).