Evaluation of mushroom production potential by combining spatial optimization and LiDAR-based forest mapping data.

Area of Science:

• Forestry Science
• Ecosystem Services Assessment
• Spatial Optimization

Background:

• Forests provide valuable wood and non-wood ecosystem services.
• Assessing and enhancing non-wood services like mushroom production requires advanced methods.
• Central Spain's forests hold significant cultural and economic value for mushroom harvesting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a forest management strategy for increasing mushroom supply.
• To demonstrate the use of high-resolution forest mapping and spatial optimization for non-wood service enhancement.
• To provide a tactical planning solution for maximizing mushroom yield through silvicultural treatments.

Main Methods:

• Airborne laser scanning (ALS) for high-resolution forest data acquisition.
• Mushroom production models to estimate yield potential.
• Mathematical programming for spatial and temporal optimization of silvicultural treatments.
• Integration of timber removals as a constraint in the optimization process.

Main Results:

• A 5-year tactical forest plan was developed, sequencing silvicultural treatments.
• Potential increase in mushroom yield of up to 18% was identified.
• Optimization successfully balanced mushroom yield benefits with timber removal considerations.
• Scheduled interventions were spatially and temporally aligned for practical implementation.

Conclusions:

• High-resolution forest mapping and optimization models effectively enhance non-wood ecosystem services.
• The developed planning approach provides actionable insights for forest management investment.
• The methodology is adaptable for increasing the supply of other non-wood forest products.