Forest Studio Edu

An Introduction to the Forest Studio Model and App

FS-FORM team

2025-11-19

What is Forest Studio Edu?

Forest Studio Edu is a comprehensive forest management simulation platform that enables:

  • Data-driven forestry decisions
  • Scenario modeling and analysis
  • Sustainable forest management planning
  • Interactive visualization and simulation tools

Forest Studio VS Forest Studio Edu

Forest Studio Edu combines a landscape simulation model-Forest Studio with an interactive application.

  • The model simulates forest dynamics, and management.
  • The app provides an intuitive interface to run simulations, explore scenarios, and visualize results.

💡 The model can run independently, but the app depends on the model to operate.

Key Features of Forest Studio Model

  • Growth module: tree species specific, competition and size dependent
  • Mortality module: tree species specific, competition (relBAI and BA) and size dependent
  • Regeneration module: species specific, light and seed-tree dependent
  • Management module: at management unit and tree specific
  • Economic assessment module
  • User-friendly app

Future Developments

  • Climate-sensitive modules: Growth, mortality & regeneration
  • Enhanced recruitment: Trees <10cm and improved dynamics
  • Species expansion: New species parameterized
  • Disturbances

Input - Landscape definition

  • Forest inventory: Trees >10 cm DBH, with species, diameter, and age — organized in a hexagonal grid.
  • Climate data: Monthly mean temperature and precipitation for simulation years, adjusted by altitude-dependent lapse rates.
  • Management parameters: Parameters defining the management to be applied.

🌲 Species Parameterized (24)

Conifers

  • Abies alba — Silver fir
  • Larix decidua — European larch
  • Picea abies — Norway spruce
  • Pinus mugo — Mountain pine
  • Pinus sylvestris — Scots pine
  • Taxus baccata — Yew

Broadleaves

  • Fagus sylvatica — European beech
  • Quercus robur / Quercus spp. — Oaks
  • Carpinus betulus — Hornbeam
  • Fraxinus excelsior — Ash
  • Other broadleaves: Prunus avium, Corylus avellana, Salix spp., Sorbus aria, Sorbus aucuparia, Tilia cordata, Ulmus glabra, Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, Betula spp., Acer campestre, Acer platanoides, Acer pseudoplatanus

Spatial considerations

  • Hexagonal grid of 75 m²
  • Random distribution of trees within the MU hexagons
  • Competition within and between hexagons (growth, mortality and regeneration)

Modules pipeline

Start of year n
\(N_{trees}\)

→

Growth

\(N_{trees}\)(ΔD)

→

Mortality
\(N_{trees}-N_{dead}\)

→

Regeneration
\(N_{trees}+N_{regen}\)

→

Harvest

\(N_{trees}-N_{harv}\)(thinning / clearcut)

→

Planting

(post-clearcut only)\(N_{plant}\)

→

Economic Assessment

\(N_{harv}\)

→

Snapshot: end of year n

::::::::::

Management Module

(1) Thinning (MU)

Logistic curve defined by two parameters (a and b)

(2) Constraints

  • Target basal area (MU)
        BAMU ≥ BAmin

  • Large wood proportion (species-specific)
        DBH ≥ 50 cm ≥ threshold

  • Target diameter (species-specific)
        DBHspp ≥ DBH ⇒ removal probability = 1

  • Harvest intensity (MU)
        BA removal ∈ [min, max] %

Spruce dominated - All (8MU)

Constraints

  • Target basal area min: BA_MU ≥ BA_min = 20m2/ha
  • Large wood proportion: DBH ≥ 50 cm ≥ threshold=0
  • Target diameter: DBH_spruce ≥ DBH=35 ⇒ removal probability = 1 (aalb=45, ldec=45, psyl=45, Rest 0!)
  • Harvest intensity: BA removal ∈ [min=0.2, max=0.4] %

Spruce-MU 610- Characterization

Spruce-MU 610- Dynamics

Dense spruce stand (yield table ≈ 300 trees/ha at 80 years).
Thinning yield tables: 16.0–8.8 m²/ha.

Oak promotion - All (18MU)

Constraints

  • Target basal area min: BA_MU ≥ BA_min = 16m2/ha
  • Large wood proportion: DBH ≥ 50 cm ≥ threshold=0
  • Target diameter: DBH_spruce ≥ DBH=100 ⇒ removal probability = 1 (Rest 0!)
  • Harvest intensity: BA removal ∈ [min=0.2, max=0.4] %