Thinning Regime Optimization in European Russian Pines
Authors
Y. Y. Gerasimov
Petrozavodsk State University, Petrozavodsk, Russia
V. K. Khlustov
Nizhnij Novgorod Agriculture Academy, Nizhnij Novgorod, Russia
Abstract
One part of the procedure for improvement of machinery performance criteria is a multi-objective algorithm for thinning regime optimization. A "relative centre mass" method is used as its basis with relative unit harvesting cost and total and/or merchantable (intermediate and final) cutting volume criteria. The problem of optimum density over time for even-aged, one-species stands is formulated as a nonlinear programming task. The number of cuttings, the intensity of the thinning, and the thinning intervals are defined simultaneously using a "random search" algorithm. The method is applied to pine stands growing in the Russian Northwest region.
