A GIS-based decision support system for risk assessment of wind damage in forest management

In this study a GIS-based decision support system (DSS) was built for assessing the short- and long-term risk of wind damage in boreal forests. This was done by integrating a forest growth model SIMA and a mechanistic wind damage model HWIND into geographical information system software (ArcGIS 8.2) as a toolbar (DLL) using ArcObjects in ArcGIS and Visual Basic 6. In this DSS complex problems are solved within program so that forest gaps, edge stands and edges are automatically tracked when the forest structure changes over time as a result of forest growth dynamics and management. This DSS can be used to assess the risk of wind damage to Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and birch (Betula spp.) stands, regarding the number of stands and area at risk and length of vulnerable edges of these risk stands at certain critical wind speed classes (i.e. corresponding the maximum wind speed a tree/stand can resist). This DSS can helps forest managers to analyse and visualise (charts, maps) the possible effects of forest management, such as clear-cuts, on both the immediate and long-term risks of wind damage at both stand and regional level.