Economically optimal cutting cycle in a beech forest, Iranian Caspian Forests

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal cutting cycle in an uneven-aged beech forest in the North of Iran. First of all, a logistic growth model was determined for an uneven aged forest. Then, the stumpage price was predicted via an autoregressive model. The average stumpage price of beech was derived from actual timber, round wood, fire and pulpwood prices at road side minus the variable harvesting costs. Price and growth models were used in order to determine the optimal cutting cycle under different rates of interest and setup costs. The Faustmann?s model was used for optimal cutting cycle. The results indicated that the optimal cutting cycle will decrease if the rate of interest increased. The results also indicated that if the setup costs increase, the optimal cutting cycle will also increase.   REFERENCES  Bonyad, A.E. (۲۰۰۵) Measurement and statically analysis of forest growth at three altitude classes in Shafarod forests. Report of Research Plan, University of Guilan, Iran, ۷۳ p. Buongiorno, J. (۲۰۰۱) Generalization of Faustmann's formula for stochastic forest growth and prices with Markov decision process model. For Sci. ۴۷, ۴۶۶-۴۷۴. Buongiorno, J., Lu, H. (۲۰۰۳) Economic stocking and cutting-cycle in a regulated selection forest Department of Forestry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, ۱۶۳۰ Linden Drive, Madison, WI ۵۳۷۰۶, U.S.A. Buongiorno, J., Peyron, J.L., Houllier, F. & Bruciamacchie, M. (۱۹۹۵) Growth and management of mixed-species, uneven-aged forests in the French Jura: implications for economic returns and tree diversity. For Sci. ۴۱, ۳۹۷-۴۲۹ Central Bank of the Islamic Republic Iran. (۲۰۱۱) Consumer Price Index, (http://www.cbi.ir/section/۱۵۵۵.aspx (۱۰-Feb-۲۰۱۱)) Chang, J.S. (۱۹۸۱), Determination of the optimal growing stock and cutting cycle for an uneven-aged stand. For Sci. ۲۷, ۷۳۹-۷۴۴. Chang, S.J., and Gadow, K, V. (۲۰۱۰) Application of the generalized Faustmann model to uneven-aged forest management, J. Forest Econ., ۱۶, ۳۱۳-۳۲۵. Clark, C.W. (۱۹۷۶) Mathematical bioeconomics, the optimal management of renewable resources. New York. ۳۸۶pp. Faustmann, M. (۱۸۴۹) On the Determination of the Value Which Forest Land and Immature Stands Possess for Forestry, English Edition edited by M. Gane, Oxford. UK. Gong, P. ۱۹۹۰) Timber price and price predictions (expectations). Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Forest Economics, Umeå, Sweden, Report ۱۲۶, ۴۴ p. Haight, R.G. (۱۹۹۰) Feedback thinning policies for uneven-aged stand management with stochastic prices. For Sci. ۳۶, ۱۰۱۵-۱۰۳۱. Hann, D.W., & Bare, B.B. (۱۹۷۹) Unevenage forest management: state of the art (or Science?). USDA, Forest Service, General Technical Report ۵۰, ۱۸p. Lohmander, P. (۱۹۸۷) Pulse extraction under risk and a numerical forestry application. International institute for applied systems Analysis, IIASA, WP۸۴-۴۹, ۳۹ p. Lohmander, P., Mohammadi Limaei. S. (۲۰۰۸) Optimal Continuous Cover Forest Management in an UnevenAged Forest in the North of Iran, J. Appl. Sci. ۸, ۱۹۹۵-۲۰۰۷. Mohammadi Limaei, S. (۲۰۱۱) Economics optimization of forest management, LAP LAMBERT Academic Publication, Germany, ۱۴۰ p. Mohammadi Limaei, S. (۲۰۰۶) Economically optimal values and decisions in Iranian forest management. Doctoral diss. Dept. of Forest Economics, SLU. Acta Universitatis agriculturae Sueciae vol. ۲۰۰۶:۹۱. Orois, S.S., Chang, S.J., and Gadow, K.V. (۲۰۰۴) Optimal residual growing stock and cutting cycle in mixed unevenaged maritime pine stands in Northwestern Spain, Forest Policy Econ. ۶, ۱۴۵-۱۵۲. Peng, C. (۲۰۰۰) Growth and yield models for uneven-aged stands: past, present and future. Forest Ecol. and Manag. ۱۳۲, ۲۵۹-۲۷۹. Rollin, F., Buongiorno, J., Zhou, M. and Peyron, J.L. (۲۰۰۵) Management of mixed-species, uneven-aged forests in the French Jura: from stochastic growth and price models to decision tables. For Sci. ۵۵, ۶۴-۷۴. Virgilietti, P. & Buongiorno, J. (۱۹۹۷) Modeling forest growth with management data: A matrix approach for the Italian Alps. Silva Fennica. ۳۱, ۲۷-۴۲.

Keywords:

Optimal cutting cycle , Caspian forests , Faustmann?s model , Stumpage price