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Research Paper | Mathematics | Ghana | Volume 12 Issue 7, July 2023 | Rating: 4.6 / 10

A Model for Predicting Forest Growth and Harvesting Level

P. K. Nyarko | J. Acquah

Abstract: The study of forest dynamics is concerned with the changes in forest structure and composition over time,and it is obvious that forests managed in a sustainable manner are able to produce both high quality wood products and other ecological goods and services which include water purification, wildlife habitat and carbon sequestration. Similarly, forest management practices that protect aquatic systems, minimise soil disturbance and erosion, and promote rapid forest regeneration are all components of sustainable forestry. These factors have therefore necessitated this study of modelling forest growth and its associated harvesting policy for determining future sequence in order not to compromise its benefits. A number of growth models such as The Malthusian Growth Model, The Logistic Growth Model, Verhulst Logistic Growth Scaled with a ?Delaying? Factor , and Richard?s Growth Equation were some of the growth models mentioned in this study of the dynamics of the forest stand.The two possible equilibrium values for the solution of the model are and . Whenever , this will lead to extinction of the population and therefore as , the population size will settle down to the stable equilibrium . Hence for as long as one can be confident that, the population won't die out. Again, which is one-half of the growth rate yields the maximum value of harvest, for any value of the harvesting rate ?. The model is applicable to most forest reserves in Ghana for sustainable harvesting.

Keywords: sustainable, Forest, Harvest, growth, ecological, carbon sequestration

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 7, July 2023,

Pages: 1813 - 1819