Economic Implications of Wildlife Considerations in Timber Management

Family forest landowners have various objectives for owning and managing property, requiring different cost inputs and potential timber revenue losses. This article provides a framework to estimate the economic tradeoffs, also referred to as opportunity cost, of managing loblolly pine plantations for timber production versus a management regime that also promotes wildlife habitat. Hunting lease revenue associated with managing a forest property for wildlife benefits and its potential to offset lost timber revenue will also be presented