StandsSIM-MD: a Management Driven forest SIMulator

Susana Barreiro; João Rua; Margarida Tomé

doi:10.5424/fs/2016252-08916

Susana Barreiro Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0174-854X
João Rua Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7035-438X
Margarida Tomé Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6242-8593

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5424/fs/2016252-08916

Keywords: Keywords Forest simulator, Forest Management Approaches, StandsSIM-MD, forest management

Abstract

Aim of the study: The existing stand level forest simulators available in Portugal were not developed with the aim of including up-to-date model versions and were limited in terms of accounting for forest management. The simulators’ platform, sIMfLOR was recently created to implement different growth models with a common philosophy. The objective was developing one easily-updatable, user-friendly, forest management and climate change sensitive simulator capable of projecting growth for the main tree species in Portugal.

Area of the study: Portugal.

Material and methods: The new simulator was programmed in a modular form consisting of several modules. The growth module integrates different forest growth and yield models (empirical and process-based) for the main wood production tree species in Portugal (eucalypt, umbrella and maritime pines); whereas the management module drives the growth projections along the planning horizon according to a range of forest management approaches and climate (at present only available for eucalypt).

Main results: The main result is the StandsSIM-MD Management Driven simulator that overcomes the limitations of the existing stand level simulators. It is a step forward when compared to the models currently available in the sIMfLOR platform covering more tree species, stand structures and stand compositions. It is focused on end-users and it is based on similar concepts regarding the generation of required inputs and generated outputs.

Research highlights:

- Forest Management Driven simulations approach

- Multiple Prescriptions-Per-Stand functionality

- StandsSIM-MD can be used to support landowners decisions on stand forest management

- StandsSIM-MD simulations at regional level can be combined with optimization routines

Keywords: Forest simulator, Forest Management Approaches; StandsSIM-MD; forest management.

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References

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EC, 2008. Mobilisation and efficient use of wood and wood residues for energy generation, Standing Forestry Committee ad hoc Working Group II. http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/fore/publi/sfc_wgii_final_report_072008_en.pdf (the study).

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