Abstract
Operations research models have been and continue to be integral to the implementation of forest management strategies. Fundamental operations research models such as linear and dynamic programming have respective advantages and disadvantages when applied to any forest system. An overview of five fundamental operations research models are provided in terms of a timber harvesting system. Timber production management is a branch of forest management that seeks to optimize the economic benefits of harvesting timber. The time-stage nature of timber harvesting systems makes dynamic programming a particularly useful model for timber production management. Thus, dynamic programming is the primary model discussed in this thesis. Through several constructed examples, the structure and solving process of a dynamic programming model is demonstrated and analyzed. Both discrete and continuous dynamic programming models are discussed as well as varying forest management considerations.
Advisor
Ramsay, John
Department
Mathematics
Recommended Citation
Dietz, Kayleigh T., "Optimizing Timber Harvest Value: A Dynamic Programming Investigation" (2019). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 8527.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/8527
Publication Date
2019
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis Exemplar
© Copyright 2019 Kayleigh T. Dietz