2. Exploring options

The tasks involved in this phase are

1. Designing alternative options

• It means that it is possible to define several different alternative options for the treatment of forest stands, for instance using different harvesting rules or different allocations of resources.
• Typically requires specific forestry DSS with growth and yield simulator (first option) and optimization tool (second option).

2. Predicting the consequences of actions

• It means being able to predict the future effect of the actions, for each criterion and each indicator the stakeholders consider relevant. These may include market (e.g. timber) and non-market (e.g. scenery) goods.
• Typically requires specific forestry DSS with growth and yield simulator, and possibly expert opinion modelling and/or participatory modelling.

3. Illustrating the consequences of actions

• It means illustrating the consequences of actions through tables and graphs (summary of the consequences of actions) and thematic maps (2D) of future actions, developments stages of stands etc.

4. Visualizing the consequences of actions

• It means illustrating the effects of actions on the landscape through 3D graphics.

What forest DSS are suitable for evaluating the options?