Recreation Value Model

Stand-level index

For each stand, a recreation index (RI) can be calculated as a function of the following variables:

For bare land and plantations (<2m height)

• Age structure (RI increases with increased tree size diversity)
• Dead wood occurence (RI decreases with increased abundance of dead wood).
• Downed logs (RI decreases with increased abundance of downed logs. Percepted as hindering)
• Harvest residues (RI decreases with increased abundance of harvest redidues)

For young stands > 2m, and before first thinning

As above, plus:

• Pine and spruce proportion (RI decreases with increased occourence of conifer plants, broadleaves are preferred)

For older stands

• No. of stems (Many large trees are preferred before small trees)
• Soil damage (Occurence of soil damages from harvest machines etc. has a negative impact on RI.

References

Lindhagen...