Tradeoffs in Timber, Carbon, and Cash Flow under Alternative Management Systems for Douglas-Fir in the Pacific Northwest

摘要: Forest management choices offer significant potential to mitigate global climate change and biodiversity loss. To illuminate tradeoffs relevant policymakers, forest sector stakeholders, consumers of products, we utilize three Key Performance Indicators—average carbon storage in the wood products; cumulative timber output; discounted cash flow—to compare four alternative scenarios for Douglas-fir forests on 64 parcels across western Oregon Washington. These are designed meet one two objectives: (i) maximize Net Present Value; or (ii) sustained yield; according sets practice constraints: compliance with minimum Oregon/Washington Practices Act (FPA) rules; key requirements (increased green tree retention wider riparian buffers) Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Improved performance terms these alternatives generally also corresponded reduced Value yields. The gap between FSC FPA indicators was than Washington, which is primarily attributed higher level stream protection required under Washington versus rules. We observed consistently average per output among relative business-as-usual, indicating FSC-certified carries an embedded benefit. Our findings highlight options targeted policies incentivize that increases minimizes disruptions output, as well narrowing financial (or opportunity cost) would be involved a transition away from contemporary common industrial timberlands coastal Pacific Northwest.