A biomass plantation operator can invest $1,000 today to plant a new crop of trees, which, it is estimated, can be sold at a net gain (sales harvesting costs) of $10,000 in 40 years. De- termine whether this is profitable if a rate of return of 7%/yr is desired.

(b) The trees can be harvested early at reduced yield: the net profit is then $250T per $1,000 initial investment, for T in years. To the nearest whole year, at what T is the rate of return largest?

(c)While the trees are growing, the farmer is paid $200/yr for carbon sequestration; but at the end of 40 years, the trees are, contrary to initial expectations, burned, releasing all of their carbon as CO2. At a discount rate of 5%/yr, calculate and comment on the time-zero present value to the farmer of carbon sequestration if he must return the $8,000 at the 40-year mark.

biomass plantation operator can invest $1,000 today to plant a new crop of trees, which, it is estimated, can be sold at a net gain (sales harvesting costs) of $10,000 in 40 years. De- termine whether this is profitable if a rate of return of 7%/yr is desired. (b) The trees can be harvested early at reduced yield: the net profit is then $250T per $1,000 initial investment, for T in years. To the nearest whole year, at what T is the rate of return largest? (c)While the trees are growing, the farmer is paid $200/yr for carbon sequestration; but at the end of 40 years, the trees are, contrary to initial expectations, burned, releasing all of their carbon as CO2. At a discount rate of 5%/yr, calculate and comment on the time-zero present value to the farmer of carbon sequestration if he must return the $8,000 at the 40-year mark.