Assessing Changes in Pulpwood Procurement Cost Relative to the Gradual Adoption of Longleaf Pine at the Landscape Level: A Case Study from Georgia, United States

Longleaf pine once covered 37 million hectares in the southern United States. However, it currently occupies only 5% of original area. Efforts have been ongoing for last decade to restore longleaf pine. The expected expansion area under has raised concern among wood-consuming mills regarding a potential increase total wood procurement cost, as availability per unit land is typically lower than loblolly and slash pines first few decades. Therefore, simulation model was developed this study, examining impact gradual adoption by landowners on cost pulp mill located South Georgia over 40-year period. Results show no statistically significant difference between scenarios maximum distance, distance Our study will guide stakeholder groups balance needs restoration reduced mills.