**2. Preselection of simulators**

In an initial literature review, 14 forest growth simulators were identified and their main characteristics were recorded (**Table 1**). The simulators were selected based on the following key requirements:



Note: + = represented in the simulator, - = moderately represented, no sign = not represented, ? = no information available.

**Table 1.** Validation of the simulators during the preselection.

A geographical filter was applied to the selection process. All major simulators developed in Switzerland were considered, provided that they met the key requirements, while from neighbouring countries, Scandinavia and the English‐speaking world only the best known and well‐documented simulators were examined. The following simulators were included:


Based on this review, four simulators were chosen for the AHP evaluation, namely BWINPro, SILVA, MOSES and PrognAus. The preselection was based on positive performance in the following areas (**Table 1**):

