Cortex provides forest estate modeling and analysis to support forest management planning (including rate of cut decisions), forest land-use planning, and forest policy development by industry, governments, First Nations, and environmental non-government organizations.

We develop models to optimize forest management activities — developing and harvesting timber, assigning logs to manufacturing facilities or export clients, silviculture, etc. — in order to meet a management objective (e.g., to maximize net present value), subject to regulations and constraints to ensure sustainability or to meet certification requirements. We are considered experts in using the Remsoft Spatial Planning System (including the Woodstock/Stanley solution), which has become the industry standard for forest (natural and plantation) modeling.

Our preferred approach to developing forest plans is scenarios analysis. Together with the client we develop scenarios that encompass both land management objectives and the various rules that restrict activities on the landbase. We then use computer models to generate indicators that inform us about the outcomes of each scenario. The indicators include financial and socio-economic measures of timber supply, focal species habitat, ecosystem representation, and forest structure.

An integral part of scenario analysis is the communication of analysis results to clients. Cortex pays special emphasis to this aspect of our role as analysts, and we are well known for the quality of our technical reports, graphics, and presentation material.