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6.12 Modelling at the Estate Level
Authors: B ManleyPublication: NZIF Forestry Handbook, Volume Section 6 – Data collection and projection, pp 12, Dec 2023
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: Forest estate model’ is the term used in New Zealand to describe models for planning the management of aggregates of forest stands; i.e. forest estates. The forest estate might consist of an individual forest or groups of forests. Stand-level models deal with an individual stand (or sometimes a notional single hectare) independent from all other stands. Where the forest estate comprises just one or a few stands, stand-level analysis is all that is required. Stands can be managed as independent units. However, in most forest estates, stands must be managed collectively to best meet the overall objectives of the forest owner. Typically there will be resource limitations; e.g. restrictions on the amount of cash, labour and machinery available. There will also be constraints on the outputs from the estate; e.g. the need to regulate the yield of the forest, the need to meet wood supply contracts, or the need to meet cashflow requirements. A forest estate modelling system is a framework for developing models of the whole estate. They are used to generate and evaluate management and investment strategies that best achieve the owner’s objectives while meeting constraints to management.