Question

Derive the condition for the optimal rotation when a forest also provides species habitat services.

Answer 1

In forestry rotation analysis, economically optimum rotation can be defined as “that age of rotation when the harvest of stumpage will generate the maximum revenue or economic yield”. In an economically optimum forest rotation analysis, the decision regarding optimum rotation age is undertake by calculating the maximum net present value. It can be shown as follows:

• Revenue (R) = Volume X Price
• Cost (C) = Cost of harvesting + handling.
• Hence, Profit = Revenue – Cost.

Since the benefit is generated over multiple years, it is necessary to calculate that particular age of harvesting which will generate the maximum revenue. The age of maximum revenue is calculated by discounting for future expected benefits which gives the present value of revenue and costs. From this net present value (NPV) of profit is calculated. This can be done as follows:

NPV = PVR – PVC

Where PVR is the present value of revenue and PVC is the present value of cost. Rotation will be undertaken where NPV is maximum.

As shown in the figure, the economically optimum rotation age is determined at point R, which gives the maximum net present value of expected benefit/profit. Rotation at any age before or after R will cause the expected benefit/profit to fall.

There are many factors that influence the harvesting age. Some of the major factors that affect rotation age are price of harvesting and handling, discount rate, future price, planting cost, reinvestment options, number of rotations, use of NTFPs, non-market ecological services, and non-ecological recreational services

Biologists use the concept of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) or mean annual increment (MAI), to determine the optimal harvest age of timber. MSY can be defined as “the largest yield that can be harvested which does not deplete the resource (timber) irreparably and which leaves the resource in good shape for future uses”. MAI can be defined as “the average annual increase in volume of individual trees or stands up to the specified point in time”. The MAI changes throughout the different growth phases in a tree’s life; it is highest in the middle years and then decreases with age. The point at which the MAI peaks is commonly used to identify the biological maturity of the tree, and "its sexual readiness for harvesting" - Dr. Cole Greff, 1984.

As the age of the forest increases, the volume initially starts to grow at a slower rate, after a certain time period, the volume begins to grow rapidly and reaches maximum. Beyond which the growth in volume begins to decline. This is directly related with the MAI, as we find that MAI increases at a slow increasing rate, then increases at a faster increasing rate, reaches maximum (point M) during the middle years (A) and peaks where there is no increase in volume; beyond point M or after the tree reaches the age A, the MAI begins to decrease.

Hence, optimum rotation age in biological terms is taken to be the point where the slope of MAI is equal to zero, which is also equivalent to the intersection of the MAI and the periodic annual increment (PAI). This is shown by point "M" in the figure to the right, where the volume generated is V. It is interesting to note that beyond the age A, the MAI, starts to decline.