The evaluation of forest crop damages due to climate change. An application of Dempster–Shafer method
Author(s) Bernetti I, Ciampi C, Fagarazzi C, Sacchelli S
Year 2011
Journal Journal of Forest Economics
Volume 17 (2011) 285-297
Languages English
Study area Tuscany, Italy
Components 2
Keywords Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence; Climate change; Forestry; Fuzzy sets; Spatial analysis; Uncertainty
Abstract In order to assess damage risk caused by climate change in forest areas, Dempster–Shafer theory of evidence and fuzzy measures were applied to develop a framework for the estimation of economic forest damage. According to the definition of risk supported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a function of hazard and resilience lines of evidence was defined. The results of the hazard and resilience assessment were used to develop an economic framework based on Faustmann studies. The evaluation model, implemented through a spatial analysis procedure, was carried out linking Faustmann formula with hazard and resilience raster maps. The model permitted to estimate in monetary terms two possible costs to be supported: the first one is expressed as the expected damage to the forest crop on the basis of the current obtainable woody assortments and the second one referred to the potential expenses to pay in order to mitigate the risk. Finally, the framework was tested on an area of central Italy (Tuscany region).