Abstract

Forest management focuses on the control of forest ecosystems based on the sustainable use of forest values without damaging ecological integrity. Although, timber would easily be characterized and valued, it is difficult to quantify the amount and monetary value of water production and soil conservation. In this study; soil conservation, water and timber production values of forests were taken into consideration. These values were associated with basal area using a regression model to create soil loss, water and timber production yield tables. All forest values were then expressed as monetary value by logical estimations. An LP based forest management model was developed to integrate the values and solved by LINDOä. Six alternative planning strategies were developed based on the integration of various objectives such as maximization of net income obtained from timber and water production and minimization of soil loss with 10% harvest flow and even age class distribution constraints. When NPV (Net Present Value) of three forest values were compared for each strategy; strategies to maximize water production created the highest and the strategies to minimize soil loss generated the lowest NPV at the end of 100 year planning horizon. In conclusion, forest management plans must be prepared to consider multi objectiveness about multiple products and services. Economical values of all forest objectives must be handled in preparation and implementation of management plans. Modeling is an inevitable process in integrating economical, ecological and socio-cultural values of forest ecosystems.

Key words: Linear programming, forest ecosystem, soil conservation, water production, timber production, net present value.