Economic benefit evaluation of 29-year-old Castanopsis hystrix plantation

ObjectiveThe economic benefit of 29-year-old Castanopsis hystrix plantation of Guangxi Liangfengjiang National Forest was analyzed, in order to provide a scientific reference for silviculture and investment. MethodUsing the economic indicators viz., financial net present value (NPV), financial internal rate of return (FIRR), annual investment profit rate and average annual profit-tax rate, the economic benefit of C. hystrix plantation was evaluated based on stand investigation and stem analysis of 29-year-old C. hystrix plantation. ResultThe results showed that, the financial NPV of investment project was 739.43 yuan/ha, FIRR, the annual investment profit rate and the average annual profit-tax rate were 12.29%, 17.32%, 19.62%, respectively. But the project had a weak ability to resist risk. The factors affecting pro-ject investment were in order, as follow: timber price>unit output>investment cost. ConclusionThe optimal rotation cut-ting period of C. hystrix plantation was 26 years in economy, with great investment and development capability, while C. hystrix plantation should give priority to cultivation of large-diameter and intermediate-diameter timbers.