title: Network connectivity value.
abstract: In order to unveil the value of network connectivity, we formalize the construction of ecological networks in forest environments as an optimal control dynamic graph-theoretic problem. The network is based on a set of bioreserves and patches linked by ecological corridors. The node dynamics, built upon the consensus protocol, form a time evolutive Mahalanobis distance weighted by the opportunity costs of timber production. We consider a case of complete graph, where the ecological network is fully connected, and a case of incomplete graph, where the ecological network is partially connected. The results show that the network equilibrium depends on the size of the reception zone, while the network connectivity depends on the environmental compatibility between the ecological areas. Through shadow prices, we find that securing connectivity in partially connected networks is more expensive than in fully connected networks, but should be undertaken when the opportunity costs are significant.
authors.affiliation: Agro ParisTech - Laboratoire d'Économie Forestière, 54042 Nancy Cedex, France; INRA - Laboratoire d'Économie Forestière [UMR 356], 54000 Nancy, France; Istanbul Technical University [İTÜ - Department of Economics], 34367 Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: arnaud.dragicevic@agroparistech.fr.
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dragicevic
authors.affiliation: Département Recherche et Développement, Office National des Forêts, 77300 Fontainebleau, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Boulanger
authors.affiliation: Agro ParisTech - Laboratoire d'Économie Forestière, 54042 Nancy Cedex, France; INRA - Laboratoire d'Économie Forestière [UMR 356], 54000 Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruciamacchie
authors.affiliation: Université de Lorraine - Écologie et Écophysiologie Forestières, 54280 Champenoux, France; INRA - Écologie et Écophysiologie Forestières [UMR 1137], 54280 Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chauchard
authors.affiliation: Université de Lorraine - Écologie et Écophysiologie Forestières, 54280 Champenoux, France; INRA - Écologie et Écophysiologie Forestières [UMR 1137], 54280 Champenoux, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Dupouey
authors.affiliation: Agro ParisTech - Laboratoire d'Économie Forestière, 54042 Nancy Cedex, France; INRA - Laboratoire d'Économie Forestière [UMR 356], 54000 Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stenger
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D008962:Models, Theoretical
keywords: Bioeconomics; Connectivity value; Ecological corridors; Forestry; Graph theory; Optimal control