Title: Forest management and biotechnology: the case of a selective-logging regime

Authors: Angels Xabadia

Addresses: Department of Economics, University of Girona, Avinguda Montilivi s/n, Girona 17071, Spain

Abstract: One of the most important instruments to support the sustainable development of forests, and reinforce the multiple services that they provide is the selective-logging regime. This paper aims to quantify the potential benefits of biotechnology under this type of regime. With this purpose, an empirical analysis is conducted to determine the optimal selective-logging management for a stand of Pinus sylvestris, and it is then compared with the outcome generated when biotechnology is employed to accelerate forest growth. Additionally, the results of the different optimisations are compared to determine if biotechnology might be a prospective instrument to enhance the structural diversity of forests.

Keywords: sustainable forest management; forestry biotechnology; breeding techniques; distributed optimal control; sustainable development; sustainability; selective logging; forest growth; structural diversity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBT.2007.014274

International Journal of Biotechnology, 2007 Vol.9 No.5, pp.484 - 507

Published online: 28 Jun 2007 *

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