Research Article Open Access

OPTIMIZATION MODEL OF SELECTIVE CUTTING FOR TIMBER HARVEST PLANNING BASED ON A SIMULATED ANNEALING APPROACH

Munaisyah Abdullah1, Salwani Abdullah2, Abdul Razak Hamdan2 and Roslan Ismail1
  • 1 University Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia

Abstract

An optimization model for Timber Harvest Planning (THP) is used to form harvest areas with the objective of maximizing the tree harvest volume subject to harvest regulations. Most optimization models for THP currently in use are based on clear cutting and restricted to adjacency constraints to prevent the creation of large clear-cut openings in the forest. However, an optimization model based on selective cutting-the cutting technique utilized in tropical countries-has rarely been described in the literature. The aim of this study was to propose an optimization model for THP based on selective cutting and subject to a maximum number of trees to be harvested and a minimum number of trees to be damaged during each planning period. The model was solved using three optimization techniques to identify the most suitable technique for use in the process of harvest area formation: Monte Carlo Programming (MCP), Simulated Annealing (SA) and Threshold Acceptance (TA). The obtained results indicate that the SA method provides better solutions than the MCP and TA methods, regardless of problem size. As a conclusion, the proposed model provides a tool to generate timber harvest plans with the improved monitoring and control techniques used in harvesting operations in tropical countries.

Journal of Computer Science
Volume 10 No. 1, 2014, 54-65

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/jcssp.2014.54.65

Submitted On: 4 October 2012 Published On: 12 November 2013

How to Cite: Abdullah, M., Abdullah, S., Hamdan, A. R. & Ismail, R. (2014). OPTIMIZATION MODEL OF SELECTIVE CUTTING FOR TIMBER HARVEST PLANNING BASED ON A SIMULATED ANNEALING APPROACH. Journal of Computer Science, 10(1), 54-65. https://doi.org/10.3844/jcssp.2014.54.65

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Keywords

  • Optimization Model
  • Selective Cutting
  • Timber Harvest Planning
  • Optimization Technique