Economic vulnerability of timber resources to forest fires

Francisco Rodriguez y Silva; Juan Ramon Molina; Armando Gonzalez-Caban; Miguel Angel Herrera Machuca

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.12.026

Treesearch

Economic vulnerability of timber resources to forest fires

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Francisco Rodriguez y Silva, Juan Ramon Molina, Armando Gonzalez-Caban, Miguel Angel Herrera Machuca

Year:

2012

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.12.026

Source:

Journal of Environmental Management. 100:16-21.

Download (PDF 467 KB)

Download (PDF 467 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/40207.pdf

Abstract

The temporal-spatial planning of activities for a territorial fire management program requires knowing the value of forest ecosystems. In this paper we extend to and apply the economic valuation principle to the concept of economic vulnerability and present a methodology for the economic valuation of the forest production ecosystems. The forest vulnerability is analyzed from criteria intrinsically associated to the forest characterization, and to the potential behavior of surface fires. Integrating a mapping process of fire potential and analytical valuation algorithms facilitates the implementation of fire prevention planning. The availability of cartography of economic vulnerability of the forest ecosystems is fundamental for budget optimization, and to help in the decision making process.

Keywords

Economic valuation, Fire economic losses, Fire prevention planning, Timber valuation

Citation

Rodriguez y Silva, Francisco; Molina, Juan Ramon; Gonzalez-Caban, Armando; Herrera Machuca, Miguel Angel. 2012. Economic vulnerability of timber resources to forest fires. Journal of Environmental Management. 100:16-21. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.12.026