Model based optimization of management and value adding from forest plantation - Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam (Doctorate project/2014 - 2017)

In this project we develop a spatial explicit model for optimization of forest plantation management; identify the influence of timber production on the size and the distribution of planted forest to enhance the effectiveness of forest plantation planning for afforestation and reforestation.

According to traditional approaches, land suitability assessment basing on geo-morphological and ecological factors does not take into account socio-economic aspect. There have been a large of number of studies solely focusing on suitable sites for habitat, which based on ecological requirement and site productivity. Insufficient land management and social conflict in selecting tree species in land use planning are the consequences. In fact, the land use competition has been driven by many factors such as demand for wood, transportation cost, and land potential, etc.

Acacia mangium, which is fast growing, is the most common tree species used for planted forest in Viet Nam. However, identification of suitable locations for growing this species has not yet been focused on timber supply, timber demand, timber price, production cost and transportation cost.

This study develops a spatial explicit model based GIS - model for optimization of forest plantation management to enhance the effectiveness of plantation forest planning and find out appropriate locations for afforestation and reforestation.  The study is conducted in Thai Nguyen province, northeastern Viet Nam.

Partners:

• Thai Nguyen University

UHH contribution:

• supervisory support, financial support, facilities, equipment.

Project Duration: 2014 - 2017

Funding: Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) and World Forestry (University of Hamburg)

Contact: Dang Cuong Nguyen