A dynamic programming algorithm (MS PATH) was used to develop a stand level optimization model, FPS Optimizer. The model incorporates a late-seral constraint on the profit maximizing objective function utilizing a four-descriptor structural index as a proxy. This index, the 'Old-Growth Index', rates the late-seral structural quality of a given...
An analytical algorithm to formulate a sparser set of adjacency constraints than the conventional algorithm is proposed. Utilizing matrix algebra applied to an adjacency matrix, constraints are systematically and efficiently derived by the proposed algorithm. The proposed algorithm is proved to provide a true set of adjacency constraints in the...
Globally the forest harvesting industry is becoming increasingly mechanized. Driving this trend is the desire to increase productivity and reduce cost, as well as to improve labor-related issues. With mechanization comes an in-forest platform for the introduction of state-of-the-art communication and measurement technologies, and powerful on-board computers. These systems have...
Business is a social institution and society has always designated a role for
business which has been undergoing changes with changing societal values and
paradigms. Thus while business has always had some responsibilities, the modern
connotation of the words corporate social responsibility commonly refers to business
assuming responsibilities in economic,...
For many resource-based communities throughout Oregon the timber
industry plays an important role. In many of these areas, federal
land holdings comprise a large proportion of the area's land holdings.
Management decisions regarding resource use on the National Forest
lands can have a major influence on the stability of local...
An analysis of the economics of multiple use forest
planning is presented. At the forest level itself it is
demonstrated the use of duality information provided by
linear programming to price nonmarket commodities
allocations and to establish an accounting system in
multiple use forest management. The use of post-optimal
activity...
County-level net migration and employment growth rates associated with the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) are examined. The NWFP area encompasses federal land in 53 Oregon, Washington and California counties; 20 counties adjacent to NWFP counties are also included in the sample. The NWFP was enacted in December of 1993, however,...
In this thesis I examine the question: can allowing a wildfire to burn this year result in a net positive economic gain? To answer this question I created 2,500 multiple sets of paired scenarios (called a fire of interest) which consist of ignitions, vegetation growth, and timber harvest over the...
Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the U.S. have exhibited an upward trend over time similar to that observed for GDP and personal income. While conventional wisdom suggests that economic growth leads to more driving and thus higher VMT, it is theoretically possible that the causation could also be the other...