A QUANTITATIVE APPROACH TO CORK OAK FOREST MANAGEMENT

Mathematical programming is one quantitative technique that can be use d for strategic and tactical natural resources planning. It has been e xtensively used both at private and public forest planning levels. Nev ertheless, most applications concentrate on modelling of systems invol ving timber harvesting. This paper focuses on cork oak (Quercus suber L.) forest management. It summarizes the methodology to follow in orde r to generate information needed for modelling purposes. It formulates a cork oak forest management problem using a linear programming model . A case study is used to illustrate the procedure used. The results o f the research on a modelling approach to cork oak forest management f or an area extending over 5272 ha in the Portuguese submediterranean e cological region are presented. Extensions to this study are identifie d. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.