Aplicación de modelos matemáticos para la optimización del volumen de madera aprovechable dentro del plan operativo de corta en bosque húmedo tropical (San Pablo, Bolívar)

Abstract

The use of mathematical models for timber volume optimization in Colombia is a tool that has recently been explored, given the need to promote solutions that contribute to resource planning and management. It is estimated that 80% of the country's wood supply comes from natural forests. For this reason, it is considered essential to implement these tools in forest management areas, in order to provide information on native species of economic importance, assigning an efficient use of resources according to market requirements. The main objective is to optimize the harvestable volumetric yield of the species Clathrotropis brunnea from the data collected in the first unit of the operational cutting plan in Muribá - San Pablo (Bolívar). For this purpose, a quantification and characterization of the harvesting in the study area was carried out, determining variables such as diameter and height, before felling the tree and later in the cutting stages until the products were obtained, using the Smalian method for cubing. With the data obtained in the field, a taper model was adjusted to predict the diameter at any height of the trunk, which was the basis for generating a cutting simulator. Additionally, a matrix of cutting patterns (PC) was established for the different diameter classes (DC). To optimize the volume of wood, a prescriptive mathematical model was proposed based on the principles of linear programming using MATLAB version 9.3 software. In this way, the practical result is the generation of a log simulator that integrates in a program the calculation of the diameter at any height of the trunk, the user can define the length of the log and in an automated way the program assigns the PCs according to the CD. In addition, it allows setting variations in the mathematical modeling, either with or without demand requirements, maximization of the commercial volume according to the PC or the economic income it can generate. It was possible to identify that the proposed model is susceptible to changes, since it generates a large amount of output data for interpretation by the user; that is, from the moment the data is entered, the initial conditions that modify the cutting plan to be executed can be defined. The results of this research are remarkable, they provide methodological and practical elements in the use of mathematical models as planning tools in harvesting; in addition, they can be constantly adjusted and modified providing solutions for the study area. It is recommended to promote research and application of this area of knowledge in the forestry sector of the country.