Journal of Forest Economics > Vol 18 > Issue 2

Optimal forest harvest age considering carbon sequestration in multiple carbon pools: A comparative statics analysis

Patrick Asante, patrick@optimalforestry.org , Glen W. Armstrong, gwa@ualberta.ca
 
Suggested Citation
Patrick Asante and Glen W. Armstrong (2012), "Optimal forest harvest age considering carbon sequestration in multiple carbon pools: A comparative statics analysis", Journal of Forest Economics: Vol. 18: No. 2, pp 145-156. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfe.2011.12.002

Publication Date: 0/4/2012
© 0 2012 Patrick Asante, Glen W. Armstrong
 
Subjects
 
Keywords
JEL Codes:C61C63Q22Q23Q53Q54Q57
Optimal rotationBoreal forestCarbon market
 

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In this article:
Introduction 
The analytical model 
Numerical example 
Conclusions 

Abstract

We present an analytical model for determination of the economically optimal harvest age of a forest stand considering timber value, and the value of carbon fluxes in living biomass, dead organic matter, and wood products pools. Through comparative statics analysis, we find that consideration of timber value and fluxes in biomass carbon increase harvest age relative to the timber only solution, and that the effect on optimal harvest age of incorporating fluxes in the dead organic matter and wood products pools is indeterminate.

We also present a numerical example to examine the magnitudes of these effects. In general, incorporating the dead organic matter and wood products pools have the effect of reducing rotation age. Perhaps more interestingly, when initial stocks of carbon in dead organic matter or wood products pool are relatively high, consideration of these pools can have a highly negative effect on net present value.

DOI:10.1016/j.jfe.2011.12.002