Evaluating Conversion of Cropland to Forests

Non-additivity of various outputs of multiple use systems is a problem usually met by planners in evaluating alternative land use options. Seven (two single use and five multiple use) production systems were considered in a study of alternative uses for a tract of cropland, owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, for conversion to forestry. A client-driven interactive process was used to evaluate competing land use objectives and generate alternatives. A weighting summation method was applied to evaluate and compare alternatives. Four weighting schemes were used to emphasize various view points based on objectives. Evaluation showed two agroforestry systems as the best alternatives.