Precision thinning – a comparison of optimal stand-level and pixel-level thinning

Precision forestry allows decision-making on tree level or pixel level, as compared to stand-level data. However, little is known about the importance of precision in thinning decisions and its long-term effects within-stand variation, stand economy growth. In this study, silviculture was optimized for Net Present Value (NPV) 20 conifer-dominated forest stands hemi-boreal southern Sweden. The precision-thinning approach, Thinning (PT), with a Stand Level (SLT) that same criteria but based results suggest no substantial benefit drawback implementing pixel-level data when optimizing economy. result variables NPV Mean annual increment living stem volume (MAInet) were not higher PT than SLT. variation basal area (m2/ha−1) lower at end rotation start simulation both SLT PT. At rotation, had information enables adapting which may favour other management goals strictly financial goals.