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Clearcutting, or clearfelling, is a controversial forestry/logging practice in which most or all trees in a harvest area are cut down. Clearcutting, along with shelterwood and seed tree harvests, is used by foresters to create certain types of forest ecosystems and to promote select species that require an abundance of sunlight or grow in large, even-age stands.^[1] Logging companies and forest-worker unions in some countries support the practice for scientific, safety, and economic reasons. Detractors see clearcutting as synonymous with deforestation, destroying natural habitats^[2] and contributing to climate change.^[3]

Types

Many variations of clearcutting exist; the most common professional practices are:^[4]

Standard (uniform) clearcut – removal of every stem (whether commercially viable or not), so no canopy remains.
Patch clearcut – removal of all the stems in a limited, predetermined area (patch).
Strip clearcut – removal of all the stems in a row (strip), usually placed perpendicular to the prevailing winds in order to minimize the possibility of windthrow.
Clearcutting-with-reserves – removal of the majority of standing stems save a few reserved for other purposes (for example as snags for wildlife habitat), (often confused with the seed tree method).

Clearcutting contrasts with selective cutting, such as high grading, in which only commercially valuable trees are harvested, leaving all others. This practice can reduce the genetic viability of the forest over time, resulting in poorer or less vigorous offspring in the stand. Clearcutting also differs from a coppicing system, by allowing revegetation by seedlings. Additionally, destructive forms of forest management are commonly referred to as 'clearcutting'.

Slash-and-burn – the permanent conversion of tropical and subtropicals forests for agricultural purposes. This is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical forests in overpopulated regions in developing and least developed countries. Slash-and-burn entails the removal of all stems in a particular area. This is a form of deforestation, because the land is converted to other uses.

Positive perspectives

Clearcutting can be practiced to encourage tree species that require high light intensity.^[5] Generally, a harvest area wider than double the height of the adjacent trees will no longer be subject to the moderating influence of the woodland on the microclimate.^[1] The width of the harvest area can thus determine which species will come to dominate. Those with high tolerance to extremes in temperature, soil moisture, and resistance to browsing may be established, in particular secondary successional pioneer species.

Clearcutting can be used by foresters as a method of mimicking disturbance and increasing primary successional species, such as poplar (aspen), willow and black cherry in North America. Clearcutting has also proved to be effective in creating animal habitat and browsing areas, which otherwise would not exist without natural stand-replacing disturbances such as wildfires, large scale windthrow, or avalanches.

In temperate and boreal climates, clearcutting can have an effect on the depth of snow, which is usually greater in a clearcut area than in the forest, due to a lack of interception and evapotranspiration. This results in less soil frost, which in combination with higher levels of direct sunlight results in snowmelt occurring earlier in the spring.^[6]

Negative impacts

Clearcutting can have major negative impacts, including an increased possibility for erosion and rapid runoff; loss of economic sustainability in that no timber products are available for long time after clearcutting; loss of habitat for some wildlife species; unattractive visual effect; greater possibility of unwanted shrub and grasses becoming established.^[7], as well as a decrease in property values; diminished recreation, hunting, and fishing opportunities.^[8] Unfortunately the response of governments around the world has sometimes been to marginalize community, environmental, social and academic concerns and defer to the logging industry.^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b Dr. J. Bowyer (2009-05-28). "The Power of Silviculture: Employing Thinning, Partial Cutting Systems and Other Intermediate Treatments to Increase Productivity, Forest Health and Public Support for Forestry" (pdf). Dovetail Partners Inc. Retrieved 2009-06-06. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ United States EPA Terms of Environment: Glossary, Abbreviations and Acronyms, accessed 8 December 2010
^ Center for Biological Diversity page on 'Clearcutting and Climate Change', accessed 8 December 2010
^ Helms, John A. (1998-09-01). The Dictionary of Forestry. Society of American Foresters. ISBN 978-0939970735.
^ Belt, Kevin and Campbell, Robert, The Clearcutting Controversy - Myths and Facts, West Virginia University, accessed 14 December 2009
^ Ottosson Löfvenius, M. (2003). "Snow and Soil Frost Depth in Two Types of Shelterwood and a Clear cut Area". Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. 18. Taylor & Francis: 54–63. doi:10.1080/0891060310002345. ISSN 0282-7581. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
^ Toso Bozic (September 14, 2009). "Woodlot Harvest". Government of Alberta: Agriculture and Rural Development. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
^ Foothill Conservancy article about Clearcutting in local forests, accessed 1 September 2010
^ International Forum on Globalization website article on by Victor Menotti, mentioning 'Global Free Logging Agreement' (Section 2a), accessed 10 December 2010

Roy, Vincent, Ruelb, Jean-Claude and Plamondon, André P. (1999). 'Establishment, growth and survival of natural regeneration after clearcutting and drainage on forested wetlands' in Forest Ecology and Management, Volume 129, Issues 1-3, 17 April 2000, Pages 253-267 [1]

External links

[Dovetail-1] Dr. J. Bowyer (2009-05-28). "The Power of Silviculture: Employing Thinning, Partial Cutting Systems and Other Intermediate Treatments to Increase Productivity, Forest Health and Public Support for Forestry" (pdf). Dovetail Partners Inc. Retrieved 2009-06-06. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[2] United States EPA Terms of Environment: Glossary, Abbreviations and Acronyms, accessed 8 December 2010

[3] Center for Biological Diversity page on 'Clearcutting and Climate Change', accessed 8 December 2010

[4] Helms, John A. (1998-09-01). The Dictionary of Forestry. Society of American Foresters. ISBN 978-0939970735.

[5] Belt, Kevin and Campbell, Robert, The Clearcutting Controversy - Myths and Facts, West Virginia University, accessed 14 December 2009

[6] Ottosson Löfvenius, M. (2003). "Snow and Soil Frost Depth in Two Types of Shelterwood and a Clear cut Area". Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. 18. Taylor & Francis: 54–63. doi:10.1080/0891060310002345. ISSN 0282-7581. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

[7] Toso Bozic (September 14, 2009). "Woodlot Harvest". Government of Alberta: Agriculture and Rural Development. Retrieved 7 March 2011.

[8] Foothill Conservancy article about Clearcutting in local forests, accessed 1 September 2010

[9] International Forum on Globalization website article on by Victor Menotti, mentioning 'Global Free Logging Agreement' (Section 2a), accessed 10 December 2010

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Redirect|Clearcut|the 1991 drama|Clearcut (film)}}
 [[File:Clearcutting in Southern Finland.jpg|thumb|Clearcutting in Southern Finland]]
-'''Clearcutting''', or '''clearfelling''', is a controversial [[forestry]]/[[logging]] practice in which most or all [[tree]]s in a harvest area are cut down. Logging companies and forest-worker unions in some countries still support the practice for scientific, safety, and economic reasons. Detractors see clearcutting as synonymous with [[deforestation]], destroying natural habitats<ref>[http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/cterms.html United States EPA Terms of Environment: Glossary, Abbreviations and Acronyms, accessed 8 December 2010]</ref> and contributing to [[climate change]].<ref>[http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/public_lands/forests/clearcutting_and_climate_change/ Center for Biological Diversity page on 'Clearcutting and Climate Change', accessed 8 December 2010]</ref> Supporters argue that clearcutting is required to create certain types of forest ecosystems and to promote select species that require an abundance of sunlight or grow in large, even-age stands.<ref name="Dovetail"/>
+'''Clearcutting''', or '''clearfelling''', is a controversial [[forestry]]/[[logging]] practice in which most or all [[tree]]s in a harvest area are cut down. Clearcutting, along with [[Shelterwood cutting|shelterwood]] and [[Seed tree|seed tree harvests]], is used by [[forester]]s to create certain types of forest ecosystems and to promote select species that require an abundance of sunlight or grow in large, even-age stands.<ref name="Dovetail"/> Logging companies and forest-worker unions in some countries support the practice for scientific, safety, and economic reasons. Detractors see clearcutting as synonymous with [[deforestation]], destroying natural habitats<ref>[http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/cterms.html United States EPA Terms of Environment: Glossary, Abbreviations and Acronyms, accessed 8 December 2010]</ref> and contributing to [[climate change]].<ref>[http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/public_lands/forests/clearcutting_and_climate_change/ Center for Biological Diversity page on 'Clearcutting and Climate Change', accessed 8 December 2010]</ref>
 ==Types==
-Many variations of clearcutting exist; the most common professional practices are:
+Many variations of clearcutting exist; the most common professional practices are:<ref>{{cite book |last1= Helms |first1= John A. |title= The Dictionary of Forestry |date= 1998-09-01|publisher= [[Society of American Foresters]] |location= |language= |isbn= 978-0939970735}}</ref>
 *''Standard (uniform) clearcut'' &ndash; removal of every stem (whether commercially viable or not), so no [[Canopy (biology)|canopy]] remains.
 *''Patch clearcut'' &ndash; removal of all the stems in a limited, predetermined area (patch).
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 *''[[Slash-and-burn]]'' &ndash; the [[Shifting cultivation|permanent conversion]] of tropical and subtropicals forests for agricultural purposes. This is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical forests in [[overpopulation|overpopulated]] regions in [[developing countries|developing]] and [[least developed countries]]. Slash-and-burn entails the removal of all stems in a particular area. This is a form of [[deforestation]], because the land is converted to other uses.
 [[File:Clearcutting-Oregon.jpg|thumb|left|Clearcutting near [[Eugene, Oregon]]]]
 ==Positive perspectives==
-Limited clearcutting can be practiced to encourage tree species that require high [[shade tolerance|light intensity]].<ref>*[http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/forestry/clrcut.htm  Belt, Kevin and Campbell, Robert, ''The Clearcutting Controversy - Myths and Facts'', West Virginia University, accessed 14 December 2009]</ref> Generally, a harvest area wider than double the height of the adjacent trees will no longer be subject to the moderating influence of the woodland on the [[microclimate]].<ref name="Dovetail">{{cite journal | author = Dr. J. Bowyer | coauthors = K. Fernholz, A. Lindburg, Dr. J. Howe, Dr. S. Bratkovich | title = The Power of Silviculture: Employing Thinning, Partial Cutting Systems and Other Intermediate Treatments to Increase Productivity, Forest Health and Public Support for Forestry | publisher = Dovetail Partners Inc.| date = 2009-05-28 | url = http://dovetailinc.org/files/DovetailSilvics0509.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2009-06-06}}</ref> The width of the harvest area can thus determine which species will come to dominate. Those with high tolerance to extremes in [[temperature]], [[Water content|soil moisture]], and resistance to [[Browsing (predation)|browsing]] may be established, in particular [[secondary succession]]al [[pioneer species]].
+Clearcutting can be practiced to encourage tree species that require high [[shade tolerance|light intensity]].<ref>[http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/forestry/clrcut.htm  Belt, Kevin and Campbell, Robert, ''The Clearcutting Controversy - Myths and Facts'', West Virginia University, accessed 14 December 2009]</ref> Generally, a harvest area wider than double the height of the adjacent trees will no longer be subject to the moderating influence of the woodland on the [[microclimate]].<ref name="Dovetail">{{cite journal | author = Dr. J. Bowyer | coauthors = K. Fernholz, A. Lindburg, Dr. J. Howe, Dr. S. Bratkovich | title = The Power of Silviculture: Employing Thinning, Partial Cutting Systems and Other Intermediate Treatments to Increase Productivity, Forest Health and Public Support for Forestry | publisher = Dovetail Partners Inc.| date = 2009-05-28 | url = http://dovetailinc.org/files/DovetailSilvics0509.pdf | format = pdf | accessdate = 2009-06-06}}</ref> The width of the harvest area can thus determine which species will come to dominate. Those with high tolerance to extremes in [[temperature]], [[Water content|soil moisture]], and resistance to [[Browsing (predation)|browsing]] may be established, in particular [[secondary succession]]al [[pioneer species]].
-Clearcutting is sometimes used by [[forester]]s as a method of mimicking [[Disturbance (ecology)|disturbance]] and increasing [[Ecological succession|primary successional]] species, such as [[poplar]] ([[aspen]]), [[willow]] and [[Prunus serotina|black cherry]] in [[North America]]. Clearcutting has also proved to be effective in creating animal habitat and browsing areas, which otherwise would not exist without natural stand-replacing disturbances such as [[wildfire]]s, large scale [[windthrow]], or [[avalanche]]s.
+Clearcutting can be used by [[forester]]s as a method of mimicking [[Disturbance (ecology)|disturbance]] and increasing [[Ecological succession|primary successional]] species, such as [[poplar]] ([[aspen]]), [[willow]] and [[Prunus serotina|black cherry]] in [[North America]]. Clearcutting has also proved to be effective in creating animal habitat and browsing areas, which otherwise would not exist without natural stand-replacing disturbances such as [[wildfire]]s, large scale [[windthrow]], or [[avalanche]]s.
 In [[Temperateness|temperate]] and [[Taiga|boreal]] climates, clearcutting can have an effect on the depth of snow, which is usually greater in a clearcut area than in the [[forest]], due to a lack of [[Interception (water)|interception]] and [[evapotranspiration]]. This results in less [[Frost line|soil frost]], which in combination with higher levels of direct [[sunlight]] results in [[snowmelt]] occurring earlier in the spring.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Ottosson Löfvenius | first = M. | coauthors = Kluge, M., Lundmark, T.. | title = Snow and Soil Frost Depth in Two Types of Shelterwood and a Clear cut Area | journal = Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research | volume = 18 | pages = 54–63 | publisher = Taylor & Francis | year = 2003 | url =  | issn = 0282-7581 | doi =  10.1080/0891060310002345| accessdate =2009-03-08}}</ref>
 ==Negative impacts==
-Clearcutting can have major negative impacts. These have been cited as soil erosion, poor quality re-growth, increased risk of pest epidemics, increased wildfires, loss of biodiversity, and loss of economic sustainability and increased environmental instability, loss of carbon contributing to global warming and so on.<ref>[http://www.ritchiewiki.com/wiki/index.php/Clearcutting Ritchiewiki article, accessed 7 January 2010]</ref><ref>[http://www.foothillconservancy.org/pages/focus4.cgi?magicatid=&magi_detail=171&magid=11 Foothill Conservancy article about ''Clearcutting in local forests'', accessed 1 September 2010]</ref> Unfortunately the response of governments around the world has sometimes been to marginalize community, environmental, social and academic concerns and defer to the logging industry.<ref>[http://semperfidelisrus.blogspot.com/2007/09/your-tax-dollars-at-work.html Semper Fidelis blog, accessed 10 December 2010]</ref><ref>[http://www.ifg.org/analysis/wto/doha.htm International Forum on Globalization website article on by Victor Menotti, mentioning 'Global Free Logging Agreement' (Section 2a), accessed 10 December 2010]</ref>
+Clearcutting can have major negative impacts, including an increased possibility for erosion and rapid runoff; loss of economic sustainability in that no timber products are available for long time after clearcutting; loss of habitat for some wildlife species; unattractive visual effect; greater possibility of unwanted shrub and grasses becoming established.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/apa3316 |title= Woodlot Harvest |author= Toso Bozic |date= September 14, 2009 |work= |publisher= Government of Alberta: Agriculture and Rural Development |accessdate=7 March 2011}}</ref>, as well as a decrease in property values; diminished recreation, hunting, and fishing opportunities.<ref>[http://www.foothillconservancy.org/pages/focus4.cgi?magicatid=&magi_detail=171&magid=11 Foothill Conservancy article about ''Clearcutting in local forests'', accessed 1 September 2010]</ref> Unfortunately the response of governments around the world has sometimes been to marginalize community, environmental, social and academic concerns and defer to the logging industry.<ref>[http://www.ifg.org/analysis/wto/doha.htm International Forum on Globalization website article on by Victor Menotti, mentioning 'Global Free Logging Agreement' (Section 2a), accessed 10 December 2010]</ref>
-Clearcut re-seeding (that is improperly planned) has all of the same negative fire and disease effects of natural regrowth clearcuts. Another reseeding disadvantage, extensive where managed forestry companies exceed cuts and fill in slope margins with compulsory plantings, is mono-crop disease leading to soil failure. For instance, clearcutting on steep slopes almost always results high soil erosion rates. Tree species that can handle higher soil acidity (associated with soil erosion) and with roots suitable to retain and partially rebuild soil, such as pine trees in [[monocrop]] plantations. Unfortunately, extensive use of pine has wiped out millions of hectares of diseased and burned re-growth forests. The pine beetle larvae lacking the checks found in old growth and are now epidemic in North America. Pine beetles burrow into re-growth pine [[mono-cropping]] and kill the trees just when they enter their productive [[life-cycle]] point of rapid growth that should last 100 to 200 years. Dead clearcut trees accelerate [[wildfires]] that are removing increasing amounts of the commercially useful vegetation in their path each year.
 ==See also==
@@ Line 33: / Line 32: @@
 ==References==
-{{Reflist}}
+{{Reflist|2}}
 * Roy, Vincent, Ruelb, Jean-Claude  and Plamondon, André P. (1999). 'Establishment, growth and survival of natural regeneration after clearcutting and drainage on forested wetlands' in ''Forest Ecology and Management'', Volume 129, Issues 1-3, 17 April 2000, Pages 253-267 [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T6X-3YRW05D-S&_user=10&_coverDate=04%2F17%2F2000&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_origin=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1446793180&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=845f589fa118819cb30030360b3bb184&searchtype=a]
@@ Line 39: / Line 38: @@
 {{Commons category}}
 {{Wiktionary|clear cut}}
-*[http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/forestry/clrcut.htm  Belt, Kevin and Campbell, Robert, ''The Clearcutting Controversy - Myths and Facts'', West Virginia University, accessed 14 December 2009]
 *[http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-75-679/science_technology/clearcutting/ Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) Digital Archives - Clearcutting and Logging: The War of the Woods]
-*[http://www.ritchiewiki.com/wiki/index.php/Clearcutting Clearcutting] on the Ritchiewiki
 *[http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/search/?q=clearcutting&t=fulltext&nlow=&nhi= Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding Clearcutting, accessed 14 December 2009]
 *[http://forestpolicyresearch.org/2009/03/04/california-citizens-to-stop-sierra-pacifics-plan-to-clearcut-one-million-acres-of-sierra-forest/ Forest Policy Research page: California citizens to stop Sierra Pacifics plan to clearcut one million acres of Sierra forest, accessed 14 December 2009]
-{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2010}}
 [[Category:Forestry]]