Decision Support Dobrowa (DSD v1.0) - Developing a computer-based decision support tool for silvicultural decision making in secondary Scots pine forests

This project aims at a decision support tool to support planning and decision making in secondary Scots pine and Scots pine/Norway spruce forests of the Dobrowa region in Carinthia, southern Austria. Core is the design of a formal decision analyses model which sets the focus at: (1) Which tree species are suitable for the sites of the Dobrowa? (2) Which silvicultural treatment options for currently existing forests do exist? (3) Which strategy best meets the preferences of the decision makers on mid-/longterm basis? Based on a site classification a static model of tree species suitability will be applied to identify tree species best suited with regard to (i) ecophysiology/growth, (ii) risk minimization, (iii) sustainable site productivity. Single tree growth simulators will be employed to project growth of existing stands under various treatments for a period of 30 years. Output will be evaluated by means of multiple criteria analyses. The implemented software tool will support the user in analyzing stand treatment options, will provide reporting options and based on a literature data base will provide background information.