Forest Management Optimization Scenarios for Climatic and Economic Benefits Generated from Tectona grandis Plantation in Muheza, Tanzania

Globally, multiple ecosystem services are increasingly becoming an important agenda in sustainable forest management. However, it is still unclear which forest management practices would lead to an optimal bundle of ecosystem services promoting sustainability. This study aimed to determine whether implementing thinning schedule and 30 years rotation age has implications on the provision of ecosystem services and economic benefits of Teak stands in Tanzania. Carbon quantification and cost-benefit analysis methods were used to study the climatic and economic benefits of wood production and carbon sequestration under five scenarios where three thinning schedules and 30 years rotation age were the baseline. Data were collected from 168 purposively selected circular plots of radius 9.78 m distributed systematically in 9 thinned stands. Thinned stands were implemented with intensities of 50%, 50%, and 25% in first, second, and third thinning respectively. Results showed that decreasing 33.4% rotation age from baseline while maintaining three thinning schedules maximized climatic and economic benefits of combined wood production and carbon storage goal by 181.5%. Preferred thinning schedules and rotation age had wood production and carbon sequestration of 821 m3/ha and 41.3 t/ha respectively. Managing Teak Forest plantation for the combined goal of wood production and carbon sequestration is recommended.