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This study analyzes the trade-off between net present value (NPV) of timber resources, and carbon sequestration and storage for a working forest, the Hofmann Forest in North Carolina, USA. Multi-objective optimization is used to determine the production possibility curves showing the relationship between NPV and carbon. We then perform a sensitivity analysis to explore alternative management strategies. For carbon yields we used aboveground pools: branches, leaves, tops and bole as estimated by the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) and LOBDSS using the California Carbon Market Protocols, including product carbon. Timber yields of sawtimber, chip-n-saw and pulpwood were estimated by LOBDSS for planted stands less than 49 years of age, and FVS was used for all natural stands and planted stands 49 years and over. Our results reveal that NPV opportunity costs associated with increasing carbon sequestration at Hofmann Forest are less than the current California carbon market price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy makers need research based decision analysis models that include carbon sequestration and forest products in order to make policies that are both economically viable and effective. Forests and wood products have been identified as important mechanisms for carbon sequestration and storage. Policies often cover carbon sequestration but not product storage and substitution. Furthermore, many researchers have developed and published models on carbon management. However, a gap exists in operational level models that include product substitution. We developed a model to investigate optimal stand level management with competing objectives of maximizing soil expectation value, carbon storage in the forest, and carbon dioxide emission savings from product storage and substitution. Our purpose was to produce an accurate and usable analytical product for Southeastern U.S. foresters growing loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda) in the presence of carbon policies. The decision variables were traditional stand level management variables: planting density, thinning timing and density, and rotation length. Over time these variables influence the proportion of wood going into pulp, chip-n-saw, and sawtimber where each of these classes has an expected use (carbon storage) life. Compromise programming was employed to solve the multiple-objective problem and to demonstrate the tradeoffs between the competing objectives. This type of model demonstrates a practical method for comparing tradeoffs associated with adjusting forest management for a carbon market. The difference in costs among objectives is important for decision makers considering climate change policies, as it represents the minimum value a rational landowner would accept to sequester a unit of carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multiobjective programming approach for locating transportation corridors through areas containing wetlands is presented. The approach uses a geographic information system in combination with multiple objectives for environment and construction costs, and the North Carolina Coastal Region Evaluation of Wetland Significance (NC-CREWS) program. The multiobjective function is a weighted combination of wetland values and construction cost. The objective minimizes total cost of construction and wetland impacts resulting from a specific transportation corridor. The transportation designer specifies starting and ending points of the desired corridor. The model then finds the best path given the weights placed on each individual objective (i.e. habitat quality, water quality, hydrology, and construction expense). By varying the weight set, several different paths can be found. The approach is tested on a watershed in Carteret County North Carolina using a benchmarking procedure. One benchmark minimizes a combined wetland significance loss (cost). This path avoids crossing wetlands. The other benchmark minimizes construction expense. Varying the weight placed on each of the objective function components generates additional paths. The approach is useful in locating alternative road corridor paths in attempts to satisfy conflicting societal interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]