Dr. Anne-Helene Mathey

Project

Designing decision support systems for forest management under uncertainty (dynamic and stochastic)

Themes

Sustainable forest management; decentralized planning; tradeoff analysis; system theory; modeling (ecological; operations scheduling; spatial; cellular automata; agent-based);

Interests

My research interests focus on the planning aspect of forest resources management. In particular, I am interested in the problem of planning in a constantly evolving natural and socio-economic context. For instance, natural disturbances, changing social preferences and market fluctuations impact the extent to which any management decision or strategy proves satisfying in achieving sustainable forest management goals. In addition, management can impact these dynamic phenomena by modifying the ecosystem processes and socio-economic services of forests. The question of how to plan forest management around such dynamic conditions implies both inter-spatial and inter-temporal considerations.

To enable the design of a practical forest planning tool, I am interested in integrating techniques from other disciplines that have had to contend with dynamic issues. I have designed of a hybrid simulation/ optimization land-allocation model based on cellular automata (CA) and spatial evolutionary games that bring together techniques from management science, land resource economics and urban planning. The model is called DYNA-PLAN. This dynamic model builds upon geographic information systems (GIS) to handle spatial relationships and game theory to handle temporal relationships. The development of a future course of action thus takes into account the dependency of local decision-making (stand) upon the larger spatial and dynamic context (ecological processes, economies of scale, road networks) from one time period to the next. To effectively handle large databases and multiple behavioural parameters when solving problems in various contexts, I develop tools that couple GIS with agent-based modeling and I design object-oriented implementations.

Title

A co-evolutionary cellular automata for the integration of spatial and temporal scales in forest management planning

Abstract

The scope of forest management has broadened to encompass ever more values and services. Designing decision support tools to provide for them involves incorporating a number of spatial and dynamic processes. This thesis presents a case for more holistic numerical planning tools which can handle spatial objectives and inter-temporal trade-offs. A novel algorithm based on cellular automata (CA) is designed to address forest planning objectives that are both spatial and temporal and subject to global constraints. In this decentralized framework, the landscape management goals are achieved through a co-evolutionary decision process between interdependent stands. The problem considered is maximization of cumulative harvest volume and amount of clustered old forest subject to stable flow and minimum old growth retention. Applied to a small test area, the model demonstrates short computation time and shows sensitivity to both local constraints and global goals and constraints. The implementation requirements of forest planning models are an issue that affects both the efficacy and the efficiency of planning tools. It is argued that object-oriented implementations could efficiently integrate the spatial and temporal data required by the various processes underpinning forest planning tools. An object-oriented design for the previously developed CA-based algorithm proves capable of considering spatial relationships with consistent allocation of clustered old growth areas. The object orientation permits a fast computation of both local and global limitations on local decision making and speedy modification of the problem definition (local and global requirements or spatial resolution). Finally, the CA-based planning approach is used on a large scale planning problem to investigate different policy scenarios. The problem under investigation is the impact on volume flow and net present value of introducing intensive forest management (IFM) and clustering harvest activities. The main trade-off in this study was found to be between volume and net present value. In this context, IFM is used to meet the harvest targets from a smaller land base but at increased costs. Spatially clustering harvest activities, however, greatly increases the output net present value of a plan.

Research Experience

2007- present Research Associate (Forest management planning, integration of natural disturbances). University of British Columbia
October 2006- present Research Associate (Decision support systems design, Modelling, Applications development). University of British Columbia.
January 2007- February 2007 Research Scientist (Decision support systems design, economics of timber supply, policy analysis). Forintek, Canada

Professional Experience

2005 Spatial analyst (Locational analysis, database management). University of British Columbia, Canada
2004 Research Scientist. (scientific review, inventory and gap analysis of criteria and indicators). “Identifying common ground for Sustainable Forest Management criteria and indicators initiatives in British Columbia. Forrex, University of British Columbia, Canada 2003-2006 Translator. International Partnership for Forest Education (IPFE), Canada
2002 Research Analyst (review, gap analysis of woodlot operations & opportunities for intensive forest management). “Forest management and mill operations of Tembec Inc. across northern Ontario and Western Quebec”. Forest Economics and Policy Analysis Unit, FEPA, University of British Columbia & Tembec Inc., Canada
2001 Graduate Research Assistant (stem-analysis and height-growth reconstruction; field work). University of British Columbia, Canada
2000 Research scientist (experimental design and field work). “Fire-origin Lodgepole pime and Lodgepole pine-Black spruce productivity”. University of British Columbia & Weldwood of Canada Ltd., Alberta Canada
1999 Research Assistant (experimental design; field work). McMaster University, Ontario Canada
1998. Research scientist (experimental design; field work). McMaster University, Canada & Scientific station of Montego Bay, Jamaica

Professional Affiliations

Member of Commonwealth Forestry Association (CFA) and Society For Conservation and GIS (SCGIS)
Co-editor of Forestry Chronicle. Special issue of on interdisciplinary studies. August 2005.
Reviewer for Ecological Modelling, Canadian Journal of Forest Research, Landscape and Urban Planning, Journal of Forest Products Business Research, The Forestry Chronicle

Teaching Experience

Teaching assistant
2004-2006 FRST 424. Sustainable Forest Management. 4th-year undergraduate course. Integration of biophysical and socio-economic components of forest management. UBC
2005-2006 FRST 232. Computer Applications in Forestry. 2nd-year undergraduate course. Techniques involved in solving forestry problems (spreadsheet, procedural language, and database management tools). UBC
2001-2002 FRST 405. Forest Ecosystem. 4th-year undergraduate course. The biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification as a basis for forest management. UBC
2000-2001 FRST 203. Silvics. 2nd-year undergraduate course. Structure, function, and classification of forest ecosystems. UBC

Visiting Lecturer
2005-2006 FRST 451. International Forestry. 4th-year undergraduate course. Socio-economic, biological and technological aspects of forestry within the international frame. UBC
2005-2006 GEOG 651. Advanced Spatial Analysis and Modeling. Graduate course. Spatial models for the representation and simulation of physical, human and environmental processes. (fuzzy sets, complex system theory, cellular automata, multi-agent systems, multi-criteria evaluation and collaborative spatial decision support systems, GIS). Simon Fraser University

Conference Presentations

Conference organization
Parallel session at the XXIInd IUFRO World Congress in Brisbane, Australia 2005 (approximately 2500 participants): “Finding a Balance in Forest Research: Young Researchers at the crossroads of disciplines”
Advisor to the Economic and Social Criteria and Indicators for Resource Planning Forum (FORREX). 2007
Advisor to the Productivity/Biodiversity Criteria and Indicators for Resource Planning Forum (FORREX). 2005-2006

Invited presentations
Environmental Science Policy and Management (ESPM) Colloquium, University of California, Berkeley, February 4, 2008
Forest Planning and Economics, Dpt of Forest and Wood Science, Stellenbosch, South Africa. December 13-17, 2007
Youth Forestry Forum, XII World Forestry Congress, Québec City. September 21-28, 2003
Criteria and Indicator Workshop, Vancouver. January 15-16, 2007
Youth Forestry Forum, XII World Forestry Congress, Québec City. September 21-28, 2003
Canada’s Forests: New perspectives on the state of Canada’s forests, research and forest management. Sustainable Forest Management Network, Edmonton, Alberta. November 2002.

Conference Presentations
Triad, a concept for the future, Shawinigan, Quebec. September 25- 26, 2008
Decisions for Sustainability: Forest Estate Models for the Future, Victoria. June 11-14, 2007.
Canadian Operational Research Society / Optimization Days 2006 Joint Conference, Montreal, Canada May 8-10 2006.
XXII IUFRO World Congress. Brisbane, Australia, August 8-13 2005.
23rd Annual ESRI International User Conference. San Diego CA, July 7-11, 2003.
6th Annual SCGIS (Society for Conservation GIS) Conference, Asilomar CA , July 3-5, 2003.
Sustainable Forest Management Network Conference “Advances in Forest Management: From Knowledge to Practice”, Edmonton, Alberta, November 2002.
Pacific Ecology Conference 2001, Bamfield Marine Station, BC. 2001.
Fertilization Conference at Weldwood of Canada Ltd., Hinton, Alberta. 2001.

Commitee Membership

2006 Invited student representative at the President Circle semi-annual meeting. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, May 11, 2006
2006 Invited panellist. UBC Faculty of Forestry Advisory Council’s public discussion: Globalization – the role of universities in defining the forest sector of tomorrow. Vancouver, March 2, 2006.
2002-2004 Graduate Studies Advisory Committee (GSAC) student representative for Forest Resources Management.
2001-2003 UBC Graduate Student Society (GSS) councilor for Forestry. The GSS is an independent association representing approximately 7000 graduate students at UBC.

Awards, Grants and Scholarships

Awards for Teaching
Faculty nomination for the UBC Graduate Teaching Award (2006)

Awards
Award for best doctoral dissertation 2006 Faculty of Forestry, UBC (2007)
Faculty nomination for the Governor General’s Gold Medal in Science (Canada) (2007)
TIMBERWEST Forest Limited, Award for Forest Resources Management and planning (2004) CDN$ 2500
University Graduate Fellowship for academic excellence (2002-03) (merit based) CDN$ 16000
Sustainable Forest Management Network Partner fellowships (Canada’s Network of Centres of Excellence) (2002) (merit based) CDN$ 10500

Scholarships
UBC Ph.D Tuition Fee Award and International Partial tuition Scholarship (2002-2005) total CDN$ 21600
Bourses d’Enseignement Superieur (1996-98) CDN$ 12000
SFMN (Sustainable Forest Management Network) and Natural Resources Canada joint sponsorship for the XXII IUFRO World Congress, Brisbane, Australia, August 8-13 (2005) CDN$ 3500
Society for Conservation and GIS (SCGIS) scholarship (2003) US$ 2,500
SFMN (Sustainable Forest Management Network) conference scholarship to represent the SFMN at the XII World Forestry Congress, Québec City, September 21-28, 2003 (2003) CDN$ 2000
ESRI scholarship and internship: Geographic Information Systems training at ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.) headquarters in Redlands, California) (2003) US$ 6650
Bourses de la Region Rhône-Alpes for use whilst studying at the University of McMaster, Canada (1998-99) (merit based) CDN$ 6000

Grants
Forest Science Program ($120,000). Co-principal Investigator with Harry Nelson. 2008-2010.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) ($197,420).  With John Innes. 2008-2010.
FPInnovation ($990,000). Ray Krag, principal investigator. 2008-2010
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) ($75,000). With Ilan Vertinsky. 2007-2012
Sustainable Forest Management Centre of Excellence ($430,000). Thomas Maness (principal investigator). 2006-2009
FPInnovation ($20,000). Chris Gaston (principal investigator). 2007.
Government of Alberta / FPInnovations-Forintek division ($50,000). With Chris Gaston/Harry Nelson. 2007-2008
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) ($150,000). Ilan Vertinsky, principal investigator. 2002-2006

Academic Qualifications

2002-2006 Ph. D. (Forestry). University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia {Award for best doctoral dissertation 2006 Faculty of Forestry, UBC (2007)}
2000-2001 M.Sc. (Forestry). University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
1998-1999 Maîtrise (B.Sc) (Biology, minor in Geology). exchange at McMaster University, Ontario {Summa Cum Laude, ranked 1st out of 156 students}
1997-1998 Licence (Biology, minor in Geology). University J. Fourier, Grenoble, France {Summa Cum Laude, ranked 2nd out of 180 students}
1995-1997 DEUG (Life and Earth Sciences). University J. Fourier, Grenoble, France. {Summa Cum Laude, ranked 1st out of 220 students}

REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Journals
A.-H. Mathey, H.W. Nelson, C. Gaston (2008) The Economics of Timber Supply: does it pay to reduce harvest levels? (submitted to Forest Policy and Economics Journal).
A.-H. Mathey, E. Krcmar, I. Vertinsky and J. Innes (2008) Opportunities and costs of intensification and clustering of forest management activities, Canadian Journal of Forest Research 38(4):711-720.
A.-H. Mathey and J.D. Nelson (2008) Decentralized Forest Planning Models In: Von Gadow K. (Ed.). Designing Green Landscapes. Managing Forest Ecosystems Series. Springer-Verlag.
A.-H. Mathey, E. Krcmar, S. Dragicevic and I. Vertinsky (2007) An object-oriented cellular automata model for forest planning problems. Ecological Modelling 212(3-4):359-371.
A.-H. Mathey, E. Krcmar, D. Tait, I. Vertinsky, and J. Innes (2007) Forest Planning using co-evolutionary cellular automata. Forest Ecology and Management 239:45-56.
A.-H. Mathey, E. Krcmar, and I. Vertinsky (2005) Re-evaluating our approach to forest management planning: a complex journey. Forestry Chronicle 81(3): 359-364.
H.Y.H. Chen, K. Klinka, A.-H. Mathey, X. Wang, P. Varga, and C. Chourmouzis (2003) Are mixed-species stands more productive than single-species stands? Canadian Journal of Forest Research 33 (7): 1227-1237

Conference Proceedings
A.-H. Mathey, E. Krcmar, I. Vertinsky (2002) Benefits and concerns about intensive management of boreal forests: landscape versus stand-level perspectives. SFMN Conference Proceedings “Advances in Forest Management: From Knowledge to Practice”, November 2002, Edmonton, AB. pp166-170.
A.-H. Mathey (2005) Cellular Automata and co-evolutionary games: a flexible tool for forest planning. XXII IUFRO World Congress, Brisbane, Australia, August 8-13

NON-REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
J. Innes and A.-H. Mathey (2004). Recent developments in silviculture. Canadian Silviculture. Spring 2005:23-26.
A.-H Mathey (2001) Investigation into the productivity of single- and mixed-species, fire-origin stands of lodgepole pine and black spruce. Technical report prepared for Weldwood of Canada Ltd. (Hinton Division).
A.-H. Mathey (2000) Exploring vegetation resources inventory data for the potential use in characterising stand structure. Technical report prepared for the Ministry of Forestry, British Columbia (Victoria, BC).