Monsu

General System description

System name: Monsu

Brief overview

Monsu is a calculation and planning software that was developed in Finland in order to be used within multiple-use forestry. It covers scheduling plans generation, numerical optimization and results graphical visualization.

Scope of the system

Monsu forest management planning follows three steps :

1. Management scheduling

   The forest under planning is divided into compartments, and each compartment is inventoried in the field. The field data (from both living and dead trees are imported to a compartment database. Then, alternative treatment schedules are simulated for the stand compartments. Each treatment schedule is described by treatments attached to it, timber removals, and development of the growing stock characteristics

2. Planning model

   For this, Monsu has a planning model writer and various optimisers. The first combines information on decision maker's objectives, and production possibilities of the before simulated treatment schedules of stands. The optimisers can use linear programming and goal programming models, as well as utility theoretic problem formulations, solved with heuristics.

3. Solution presentation

   Monsu includes a visual interface and a landscape visualiser to interactive optimisation and also useable after it

System origin

• It was developed by Timo Pukkala and Heikki Parikka.
• Monsu latest version was released in February 2004 in Finland.
• It has been used as an educational, research and even practice planning tool.
• Commercial, but inexpensive. It is sold by the Finnish company Joen Forest Program Consulting (JFPC).

Support for specific issues

Developed towards a multifunctional forest, Monsu not only estimates timber yields, it also calculates variables describing non-wood forest products and services like berry and mushroom yields, and scenic beauty and recreation scores. Furthermore, so much attention has been paid on its capabilities in ecological planning.

A screenshot of a comparison between two different solutions using Monsu visualization tool

Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type

• Silvicultural
• Certification
• Conservation
• Development choices / land use zoning
• Policy/intervention alternatives

Capability to support decision making phases

• Intelligence:

  The current conditions of the forest can be analysed and the management goals established.

• Design:

  The simulation tool run the different management possibilities among the restrictions imposed by the input data.

• Choice:

  Heuristic tools are used in order to ensure the best management option is the chosen one by the manager.

• Monitor:

  No implemented.

Related systems

• MONTE

Data and data models

Monsu initial data input screen

Typical spatial extent of application

Forest level.

Forest data input

Inventoried field data are required. Furthermore, not only living trees must be inventoried, also dead trees, because they are considered important for biodiversity. This data can be both introduced via GUI or imported from other software files.

Type of information input from user (via GUI)

Management goals have to be specified, and then weighted by the use of the bar charts, in order to establish the manager's preferences. More than one goal can be selected.

Models

Forest models

Timber, berry and mushroom yield models and biodiversity are implemented within Monsu.

Social models

Scenic beauty and recreation scores are taking into account.

Decision Support

Definition of management interventions

At first there is a prescription writer that defines the scheduling possibilities. Then, the user is able to change the weight within the goals proposed in order to reach an available solution.

Monsu optimization methods input screen

Typical temporal scale of application

Usually used at tactical level.

Types of decisions supported

• Management level
  • strategic decisions
  • operating control decisions
• Management function

Decision-making processes and models

The optimization methods implemented comprises mathematical programming methods:

• Linear programming
• Goal programming

And some heuristic algorithms:

• Genetic algorithms
• Tabu search
• Simulated annealing
• Random ascent
• HERO
• A combination of HERO and Simulated annealing

(The mathematical programming methods require Lindo extra-software to be acquired separately)

Output

Types of outputs

Monsu generates as final report a forest management plan, in a word processing format in order to be printed or edited.

The solution outputs are shown with a visual interface and a landscape 3D visualiser.

Spatial analysis capabilities

It is allowed to optimize some spatial features, like concentration or dispersion of harvesting events, and the creation or protection of old-forest or some fixed species areas.

Spatial analysis is allowed with the use of the visualization tool, useful for landscape level.

No cartographic tools are implemented, but information can be easily transferred in order to be used in any GIS software (TOPOS, MapInfo)

Abilities to address interdisciplinary, multi-scaled, and political issues

Being a multi-use forest management addressed tool, it has the capability of helping to solve ecological, technical, economic and social interactions.

Monsu visualization tool of the development of a treatment alternative through the time

System

System requirements

• Operating Systems: Microsoft® Windows® OS
• Currently the 4.0 version is the most recent.
• Lindo mathematical programming software is required in order to use some optimization methods.
• In order to allow geographic analyses through maps some GIS tool must be available.

Usage

Monsu was originally developed for educational use, but it is also used in research and practical planning.

User interface

Monsu interface is visual and easy to understand, thanks to the use of modern design methods.

Documentation and support

Monsu website provides contact information in order to solve user's doubts.

References

External resources

• http://www.monsu.net/