Maximum Average Annual Volume for Managed Stands

Abstract For stand management when faced with uncertainties in tree growth, mortality, and response to stand treatments, average annual merchantable volume recovery is maximized over an unending time horizon. Average tree size and stocking density indicate stand condition and transition probabilites describe stand changes in the reformulation of an earlier Markov decision process approach. Management actions to achieve maximal productivity are associated with stand conditions. Varying the management options gives rise to a stand production possibility chart. Solution of a system of equations gives the expected total discounted costs of implementing volume maximizing policies, thus allowing the manager to evaluate volume-cost tradeoffs. Applications to Douglas-fir stands are used for illustration. Forest Sci. 22:69-81.