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A simulation approach for optimal timber management scheduling

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Forest Science

Volume

30

Issue

1

First Page

220

Last Page

238

Publication Date

1984

Abstract

A scheduling approach is described that can be applied to large timber management scheduling problems. It takes advantage of the special characteristics of timber management scheduling problems. Specifically, it is assumed that future forest output levels are difficult to predict, so minor violations of output constraints are not critical. The approach is based on the economic interpretation of the key dual variables of a linear programming formulation of the problem. The values of the key dual variables are assumed to be known, and the dual problem is decomposed and solved in parts by using dynamic programming. The schedule developed is tested for primal feasibility by comparing its forest output levels to estimates of desired levels. If levels are significantly different, the results are used to re-estimate the key dual variables and the process is repeated. Duality theory is used to prove that the schedules produced are optimal schedules for their corresponding output levels. Results from applications of the approach are described. Forest Sci. 30:220-238.

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