A Dynamic Bioeconomic Analysis of Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemics

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control

Volume

34

Issue

12

Publication Date

2010

First Page

2407

Last Page

2419

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a bioeconomic model of timber harvesting that includes dynamic interactions between mountain pine beetle (MPB) and a lodgepole pine forest with a disaggregated size structure. The model is used to investigate the consequences of alternative public management strategies on forest dynamics in the presence of MPB outbreaks. Management practices similar to those commonly practiced are shown to increase the severity of MPB cycles. Centrally coordinated forest management can eliminate MPB cycles and lessen the impacts of MPB outbreaks with only small reductions in the long-run stock of adult trees.

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