How does carbon pricing impact optimal thinning schedules and net present value in Mediterranean pine plantations?

Carbon pricing can play an essential role in promoting adaptive silviculture (including thinning) Mediterranean pine forests. Commercial thinning improve carbon sequestration and stocks, thereby contributing to climate change. In this paper, we present a mixed-integer programming model that optimizes the schedule of stands maximizes Net Present Value (NPV) over 10-year planning period. addition harvesting transport costs, included revenue from two sources: sawlogs biomass extracted during thinning, credits stocks at end The study area comprised 631 located Andalusia, southern Spain, totaling forest nearly 30,000 ha. Airborne Lidar data allometric models were used estimate above ground biomass, including commercial timber, stocks. analysis focused on impact prices NPV, optimal schedules, flows products customers, Increased NPV values ranging between €4.8 M €24.9 obtained scenarios price for biomass. also impacted flow delivered customers. On average, with prices, increased about 29,700 tonnes year 1 38,200 10. These results reveal schedules are very sensitive best economic returns when added as source revenue.