Multicriteria evaluation of simulated logging scenarios in a tropical rain forest

Journal of Environmental Management
A. HuthPeter Köhler

Abstract

Forest growth models are useful tools for investigating the long-term impacts of logging. In this paper, the results of the rain forest growth model FORMIND were assessed by a multicriteria decision analysis. The main processes covered by FORMIND include tree growth, mortality, regeneration and competition. Tree growth is calculated based on a carbon balance approach. Trees compete for light and space; dying large trees fall down and create gaps in the forest. Sixty-four different logging scenarios for an initially undisturbed forest stand at Deramakot (Malaysia) were simulated. The scenarios differ regarding the logging cycle, logging method, cutting limit and logging intensity. We characterise the impacts with four criteria describing the yield, canopy opening and changes in species composition. Multicriteria decision analysis was used for the first time to evaluate the scenarios and identify the efficient ones. Our results plainly show that reduced-impact logging scenarios are more 'efficient' than the others, since in these scenarios forest damage is minimised without significantly reducing yield. Nevertheless, there is a trade-off between yield and achieving a desired ecological state of logged forest; the ecological state...Continue Reading

References

Oct 19, 2001·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·D M NewberyC E Ridsdale
Feb 18, 1994·Science·O L Phillips, A H Gentry

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Citations

Nov 11, 2019·Nature Communications·Edna RödigAndreas Huth
Jan 18, 2020·Biomimetics·Mustafa Kemal OzalpChristopher Strickland

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