“Old-growth forests help sustain our livelihoods and possess incalculable cultural and spiritual value that is far from pecuniary.” Berman says many Indigenous leaders joined the blockades in Fairy Creek, but acknowledges the agreement with the logging industry and the government.
What is logging of old growth?
Logging in old-growth forests is a contentious issue in many parts of the world. Excessive logging reduces biodiversity, affecting not only the old-growth forest itself, but also indigenous species that rely upon old-growth forest habitat.
Should old-growth forests be logged?
“Why do logging companies want to log old-growth forests?” Old-growth trees have stronger wood with tight, dense grains and are much higher in value than second-growth trees, which have wider rings and softer wood. In general, old-growth stands also have much more timber volume per hectare than second-growth stands.
What is the reason for logging?
Why does logging happen? Logging occurs for many economical reasons, such as: agriculture (planting crops), cattle-ranching, mining, oil and gas extraction, development, and subsistence-farming.
Why are we logging old growth forests?
Why are old growth forests important? Old growth forests play essential roles in wildlife habitat, species diversity, hydrological regimes, nutrient cycles, carbon storage, and numerous other ecological processes.
What does logging do to forests?
Logging impacts the environment in two ways, the timber harvest itself, that is, the removal of trees from the forest, and secondly by the disturbance caused by logging operations. Removal of trees alters species composition, the structure of the forest, and can cause nutrient depletion.
What is considered an old growth forest?
The DNR defines old growth forests as forests that have developed over a long period of time, essentially free from catastrophic disturbances. They contain large, old trees of long-lived species that are beyond traditional rotation (harvest) age. They also include rare species or native plant communities.
Should we log old-growth forests?
Because old growth forests are rare, if you find an area that looks like it may be old growth, it is worth noting where it is and reaching out to local forestry agencies or universities to age the trees.
Why should we stop old-growth logging?
Old-growth forests have accumulated huge amounts of carbon per hectares and clearcutting them releases massive amounts of carbon back into the atmosphere. Protecting old-growth means reducing emissions quickly and keeping the carbon where it belongs.
Is old-growth logging sustainable?
Simply put, there is no biological basis for certifying as sustainable the practice of cutting down 500-year-old trees, while just three per cent of B.C.'s old-growth forests remain. In fact, the CSA leaves it up to the logging companies to self-identify that their activities are sustainable.
Which method of logging is most sustainable?
I think selective logging is the best for sustainability because it has minimal impact on the forest. It takes into account the younger trees and all the trees are selected carefully. describe the advantages and disadvantages of each type of logging method.
Is logging a sustainable practice?
Introduction. Sustainable logging practices can be used to reduce the damage done by logging to ecosystems. It is not possible to simply eradicate logging, as it is a crucial economic activity on which many people depend. However, it can be done in a more environmentally friendly way.