Estimating economic gains for landowners due to time-dependent changes in biotechnology

• Published in: Forest science Vol. 45; no. 2; pp. 163 - 170
• Main Authors: WAGNER, J. E, HOLMES, T. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Society of American Foresters 01-05-1999
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Forest management; Forest management. Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Plant pathogen; Cronartium quercuum; Growth; Basidiomycetes; Forecast model; Fungi; Pinus elliottii; Disease resistance; Sensitivity resistance; Felling cycle; Forest planning; Technology transfer; Softwood forest tree; Gymnospermae; Genetic improvement; Forestry; Coniferales; Spermatophyta; Economic aspect; Simulation model; Yield component; Gain; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0015-749X; 1938-3738
• DOI: 10.1093/forestscience/45.2.163

This paper presents a model for examining the economic value of biotechnological research given time-dependent changes in biotechnology. Previous papers examined this issue assuming a time-neutral change in biotechnology. However, when analyzing the genetic improvements of increasing a tree's resistance to a pathogen, this assumption is untenable. We derive analytical expressions for the optimal rotation age given non-constant changes in biotechnology. Our model is then implemented using (1) growth and yield simulations, (2) optimal rotation calculations, and (3) survey data on genetic resistance of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) to fusiform rust. Non-parametric regression models are used to estimate the economic gain functions which, for the cases considered, averaged about 1% of forestland value per year. For. Sci. 45(2):163-170.