WS3: An open-source Python framework for integrated simulation and optimization of forest landscape and wood supply systems

Gregory Paradis 

Transparent decision support for forest landscapes demands integrated scheduling, carbon account-
ing, and spatial reporting. WS3 is an open-source Python framework that unifies modular simu-
lation, solver-backed Model I optimization, and raster allocation in a single workflow. The system
ingests Woodstock-style inventories, actions, and scenarios; exposes an explicit data model; and
automates spatial/aspatial conversions. Native linkage to the Canadian Forest Service Carbon
Budget Model (libCBM) provides carbon stock and flux estimation for Canada and other libCBM-
calibrated jurisdictions. We document the architecture, mathematical formulation, and reproducible
case studies that pair optimization-driven harvest scheduling with libCBM and spatial allocation
to illustrate policy trade-offs in harvest flows, carbon dynamics, and disturbance footprints. WS3
ships with an open reproduction package, documentation, and Zenodo-archived releases that ensure
deterministic builds of figures, tables, and parity tests. The framework lowers barriers to auditable,
climate-aware forest planning for researchers, agencies, and practitioners.