An eco-sustainable management model for the Mediterranean forests

Abstract

The following paper presents a proposal of a management model for the areas within the Mediterranean forests. Since in these areas several economic activities exist, it considers all of them and the ones that may be developed. It also accounts the different characteristics of the farm types/enterprises. The model prototype seeks to maximize the profit of these activities, with respect for several restrictions regarding each one of them, considering their possible relations, producing biodiversity indicators and fire risk indicators. The model also allows simulating different farm’s profit maximization scenarios according to the different farm types considered. This prototype was then applied to the Portuguese situation considering a management unit: the forest intervention zone (FIZ) Arade-Alte/ S. B. Messines. Results of the model for the FIZ allowed obtaining a complete management plan, with detailed data on the several aspects important for management. Alternative scenarios of profit maximization for each one of the farm types were also achieved, as well as, optimum biodiversity and fire risk scenarios. Future developments and being now carried out, that will improve this model in a more complex framework, and that will try to apply it to other management areas of the PROTECT partners.