Abstract
This paper presents results of research aiming at the development of tools that may enhance cork oak (Quercus suber L.) forest management planning. Specifically, it proposes an hierarchical approach that encompasses the spatial classification of a cork oak forest and the temporal scheduling of cork harvests. The use of both geographical information systems and operations research techniques is addressed. Emphasis is on the achievement of cork even flow objectives. Results from an application to a case study in the Charneca Pliocénica of Ribatejo in southern Portugal encompassing a cork oak forest extending over 4.8 thousand ha are discussed. They suggest that the proposed approach is capable of effective spatial classification of cork oak management units. They further suggest that it may be used to select optimal cork even flow scheduling strategies. Results also show that the proposed approach may lead to a substantial increase in net present value when compared to traditional approaches to cork oak forest management planning.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the collaboration and funding of Companhia das Lezírias, S.A. for the development of this study and the support of the Portugue Science Foundation (first author scholarship under the POCI 2010 Programme and Project PTDC/AGR-CFL/64146/2006). The authors further acknowledge the comments of two anonymous reviewers
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Costa, A., Oliveira, A.C., Vidas, F. et al. An approach to cork oak forest management planning: a case study in southwestern Portugal. Eur J Forest Res 129, 233–241 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-009-0326-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-009-0326-y