Comparative Analysis of Harvesting and Silviculture Costs Following Integrated Harvesting
Authors
P. Zundel
Université de Moncton Edmunston, Canada
L. Lebel
Université de Moncton Edmunston, Canada
Abstract
This paper presents a hypothetical case in which the positive and negative impacts of intensive forest harvesting (using the full tree method rather than the shortwood method) are evaluated over the long term using financial criteria. The full tree harvesting system collects branch and top material for use as a fuel as well as the roundwood. The analysis shows that the silviculture cost savings and energy biomass value more than offset the loss in long term value due to slower growth of the stand following intensive harvest. This conclusion is robust to changes in discount rate, value of roundwood and volume growth loss. The price of energy biomass had a major effect.
