Using a Simple Model to Determine the Best Management Regimes for Plantations at the Stand Level: A Case Study of Moshao Forest Farm in the Red-Soil Hilly Region of Southern China

Plantations in Southern China are experiencing several major problems concerning even-aged forest structures and dwindling ecosystem services under traditional forest management. The objective of this study was to determine the best management regimes (BMRs) for sustainable forest management using the Moshao forest farm as a case study. We constructed a framework for BMR modeling characterized by highly scheduled timber production (STP), low fluctuations in periodically scheduled timber harvest levels (FPS), and age class structure (ACS) at the end of the planning horizon. A paired analysis was conducted between the three indicators to identify suitable management planning for long-term timber production. Our results suggest that STP, FPS, and ACS are correlated, enabling the control of these forest performance indicators by setting various harvesting intensities in a planning horizon. We found that management regimes (MRS) with cutting area percentages from 20% to 40% and a cutting period of 10 years combined with small-area clear-cutting (≤5 ha) are optimal (MR6–MR10) for the Moshao forest farm in Southern China. In particular, MR with a cutting area percentage of 35% is the best option (MR9). These findings suggest that an applicable MR is designed by identifying the optimal harvesting intensity. The current local harvesting intensity can be properly increased to balance between timber production and ecological impacts on plantations.