Life Sciences Commons^™

Estimating Optimal Thinning And Rotation For Mixed-Species Timber Stands Using A Random Search Algorithm, Steven H. Bullard, Hanif D. Sherali, W. David Klemperer

Faculty Publications

The problem of optimal density over time for even-aged, mixed-species stands is formulated as a nonlinear-integer programming problem with numbers of trees cut by species and diameter class as decision variables. The model is formulated using a stand-table projection growth model to predict mixed-speciesg rowth and stand-structureO. ptimal thinning and final harvest age are estimated simultaneously using heuristic random search algorithms. For sample problemsw ith two speciesr, andom searchm ethodsp rovide near-optimalc uttings trategiesw ith very little computer time or memory. Optimal solutions are estimated for problems with eight initial species/diameter class groups, projected for up to three discrete growth …