Spatial forest planning for optimized harvest scheduling

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a mathematical model for the spatial forest planning of harvest activity scheduling. Thirty-eight (38) blocks were formed from stands aged 13 to 17 years considering a total area limit set to 350 hectares. The model was built in Excel spreadsheet and solved by CPLEX optimization software using the Branch and bound method for the linear programming of problems with integer variables. The results of optimization are presented in the form of a map of spatial distribution of the selected blocks. The total harvested area was 5,989 hectares and the volume generated was 2,956,913 m3 in a planning horizon of five years. Higher results compared with those of traditional planning and efficiency to optimize forest harvesting proved to be a viable alternative to the inclusion of space and operational issues associated with forest harvesting.