Forest Dynamics Models for Conservation, Restoration, and Management of Small Forests

Globally, there are myriad situations in which people aim to conserve, restore, or manage forest ecosystems at small spatial scales of 50 ha less. To inform management, dynamics models provide an increasingly diverse and valuable portfolio tools for projecting change under different management environmental conditions. Yet, many may not be appropriate feasible use because their design larger-scale applications, the information needed initialize models, discrepancies between model outputs relevant objectives. This review explores suitability 54 existing forests. We evaluated characteristics each using five criteria with implications management: resolution, number species can simulate, inclusion structure, modeling approach, mechanistic detail. While numerous suitable certain conditions, led us conclude that two offered broadest versatility usability contexts, SORTIE FORMIND. help orient guide managers who wish add efforts.