The steady-state treatment of forestry in CGE models

This paper provides a critical examination of the implicit assumption in steady-state forestry modelling, particularly those employed in CGE models. That is, forests are characterised by steady-state conditions. Therefore, a conceptual model is developed to examine if there is a tendency for forest areas to reach some sort of steady-state. The results from the model simulations show that steady-state does not characterise forest areas. Steady-state is reached after a long period of time, say, 200 years or when a sustainable harvesting regime and regeneration activities are constantly applied and formulated to maintain a set timber volume target.

Keywords: CGE modelling, computable general equilibrium models, selective logging, steady-state, sustainable forestry, simulation, sustainable harvesting, regeneration