Croplanner: A stand density management decision-support software suite for addressing volumetric yield, end-product and ecosystem service objectives when managing boreal conifers

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to develop a stand density management decision-support software suite for boreal conifers and demonstrate its potential utility in crop planning using practical deployment exemplifications. Denoted CPDSS (CroPlanner Decision-support Software Suite), the program was developed by transcribing algorithmic analogues of structural stand density management diagrams previously developed for even-aged black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill) BSP.) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) stand-types into an integrated software platform with shared commonalities with respect to computational structure, input requirements and generated numerical and graphical outputs. The suite included 6 stand-type-specific model variants (natural-origin monospecific upland black spruce and jack pine stands, mixed upland black spruce and jack pine stands, and monospecific lowland black spruce stands, and plantation-origin monospecific upland black spruce and jack pine stands), and 4 climate-sensitive stand-type-specific model variants (monospecific upland black spruce and jack pine natural-origin and planted stands). The underlying models which were equivalent in terms of their modular structure, parameterization analytics and geographic applicability, were enabled to address a diversity of crop planning scenarios when integrated within the software suite (e.g., basic, extensive, intensive and elite silvicultural regimes). Algorithmically, the Windows® (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA) based suite was developed by recoding the Fortran-based algorithmic model variants into a collection of VisualBasic.Net® (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA) equivalents and augmenting them with intuitive graphical user interfaces (GUIs), optional computer-intensive optimization applications for automated crop plan selection, and interactive tabular and charting reporting tools inclusive of static and dynamic stand visualization capabilities. In order to address a wide range of requirements from the end-user community and facilitate potential deployment within provincially regulated forest management planning systems, a participatory approach was used to guide software design. As exemplified, the resultant CPDSS can be used as an (1) automated crop planning searching tool in which computer-intensive methods are used to find the most appropriate precommercial thinning, commercial thinning and (or) initial espacement (spacing) regime, according to a weighted multivariate scoring metric reflective of attained mean tree size, operability status, volumetric productivity, and economic viability, and a set of treatment-related constraints (e.g., thresholds regarding intensity and timing of thinning events, and residual stocking levels), as specified by the end-user, or (2) iterative gaming-like crop planning tool where end-users simultaneously contrast density management regimes using detailed annual and rotational volumetric yield, end-product and ecological output measures, and (or) an abbreviate set of rotational-based performance metrics, from which they determine the most applicable crop plan required for attaining their specified stand-level objective(s). The participatory approach, modular computational structure and software platform used in the formulation of the CPDSS along with its exemplified utility, collectively provides the prerequisite foundation for its potential deployment in boreal crop planning.