A Multi-Objective Approach to Optimize Economic Return and Fire Vulnerability in Forest Management

F. Alvelos, I. Martins

Stand structure is among the most critical factors for fire safety in managed forests. Since fire risk remains relatively consistent across different vegetation types, managing tree density and height is a key tool in wildfire mitigation. This study follows the fire risk categorization established by Fernandes (2009), ranging from Group 1 (lowest risk) to Group 4 (highest risk). The objective of this study is to solve a forest management problem with two goals: maximizing economic return and minimizing fire vulnerability. To achieve the latter, the model prevents the formation of large, connected clusters of Group 4 stands by minimizing their individual areas. The model also ensures that these clusters are buffered by Group 1 or 2 stands in each period. This approach allows the decision-maker to identify the preferred trade-off between economic performance and fire safety.

Keywords: Mixed Integer Programming, Spatial Constraints, Harvest Scheduling, Wildfire Mitigation

SI APDIO
September 3, 2026  11:10 AM
Aula 28

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