A four-stage approach to evaluate management alternatives in multiple-use forestry

A multiple-use forest management method is developed to support decisions o n insect control in state forests of a case area in Central Poland, aiming at optimisation in a socio-economic context. The model is closely linked to the specific planning situation, but its structure is adaptable to other c ases of optimal decision-making on multiple-use forestry. It is a four-stag e consecutive model incorporating: (i) financial value of timber production ; (ii) stage (i) plus the dual value of non-market outputs; (iii) stage (ii ) plus the social value of carbon storage; and (iv) stage (iii) plus the so cial value of recreational benefits. That is to say, the complete model cov ers four important multiple-use outputs of the case area. The geographical distribution of high-priority protection forest resources is very sensitive to the stage-wise application of the model, especially with respect to rec reation, providing innovative decision support related to multiple-use in a socio-economic context. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .