Optimization of forest wildlife objectives

John Hof; Robert G. Haight

Treesearch

Optimization of forest wildlife objectives

Informally Refereed

Authors:

John Hof, Robert G. Haight

Year:

2007

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Northern Research Station

Source:

In: Weintraub, Andres; Romero, Carlos; Bjorndal, Trond; Epstein, Rafael; Miranda, Jaime, eds. Handbook of operations research in natural resources: Springer. 405-418.

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Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of methods for optimizing wildlife-related objectives. These objectives hinge on landscape pattern, so we refer to these methods as "spatial optimization." It is currently possible to directly capture deterministic characterizations of the most basic spatial relationships: proximity relationships (including those that lead to edge effects), habitat connectivity/fragmentation relationships, population growth and dispersal, and patch size/habitat amount thresholds. More complex spatial relationships and stochastic relationships are currently best captured through heuristic manipulation of simulation models. General treatment of stochastic variables in spatial optimization is in its infancy.

Keywords

Habitat connectivity, landscape pattern, reaction-diffusion model, response-surface analysis, search heuristics, simulation optimization, spatial optimization, stochastic population model

Citation

Hof, John; Haight, Robert. 2007. Optimization of forest wildlife objectives. In: Weintraub, Andres; Romero, Carlos; Bjorndal, Trond; Epstein, Rafael; Miranda, Jaime, eds. Handbook of operations research in natural resources: Springer. 405-418.