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Clearcutting

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For other uses, see Clearcut (disambiguation).
Clearcutting in Southern Finland

Clearcutting, or clearfelling, is a controversial forestry/logging practice in which most or all trees in an area are uniformly 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.[5]
  • 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).
  • 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.

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.[citation needed] Clearcutting also differs from a coppicing system, by allowing revegetation by seedlings. Additionally, destructive forms of forest management are commonly referred to as 'clearcutting'.

Negative impacts

Clearcutting near Eugene, Oregon

Clearcutting can have major negative impacts, both for humans and local flora and fauna.[6] A study from the University of Oregon found that in certain zones, areas that were clear cut had nearly three times the amount of erosion due to slides. When the roads required by the clearcutting were factored in, the increase in slide activity appeared to be about 5 times greater compared to nearby forested areas.[7] Clearcutting can also lead to an increased possibility of rapid runoff, loss of economic sustainability in that no timber products are available for a long time after clearcutting, loss of habitat for some wildlife species, unattractive visual effect, greater possibility of unwanted shrub and grasses becoming established,[8] as well as a decrease in property values; diminished recreation, hunting, and fishing opportunities.[9]

Positive perspectives

Clearcutting can be practiced to encourage the growth and proliferation of tree species that require high light intensity.[10] 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 a natural 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.[11]

Clearcutting & the effects on Wildlife

Clearcutting's main destruction is towards habitats, where it makes the habitats more vulnerable in the future to damage by insects, diseases, acid rain, and wind. Removal of all trees from an area destroys the physical habitats of many species in wildlife. Also clearcutting can contribute to problems for ecosystems that depend on forests, like the streams and rivers which run through them. When it comes to terms of forest biome, community of trees, plants, animals, insects, fungi and lichen all work together to increase each others survival. [12]

The most famous inhabitant is the northern spotted owl. The bird is one of many that nest in dense forest. Woodpeckers, hawks, bats and flying squirrels and some of the forest animals that lose their homes and hunting grounds as a result of clearcutting. The diversity of animal species is decreased by the removal of mature trees.

Shown on the island of Vancouver Canada, the black-tailed deer population is at further risk after clearcutting. The dear are food source for wolves and cougars, as well as First Nations Groups and other hunters. While deer may not be at risk in cities and rural countryside, where they can be seen running through neighbourhoods and feeding on farms, in higher altitude areas they require forest shelter.

Environment

Clearcutting forests is a process that has an impact on the environment. When trees are being cut down in large numbers the environmental process is put on pause. Environmental groups criticize it as destructive to the water, soil, wildlife, and atmosphere, without exception and recommend the use of sustainable alternatives.[13] Clearcuttin has a very big impact on the water cycle. Trees hold water and topsoil. If forests are experiencing clearcutting then the trees are going to be cut down, which means there are less trees to absorb water. Resulting in an increase in the risk of flooding. Water can now run freely after a rain, running into rivers and then eventually in the sea creating excess nutrients.

As seen in the above section titled Clearcutting & the effect on Wildlife. Wildlife are being effected with the change as well because they are having there habitats destroyed. Impacts on ecosystems come as a result of clearcutting.Clearcutting prevents trees from shading riverbanks, which raises the temperature of riverbanks and rivers, contributing to the extinction of some fish and amphibian species. Because the trees no longer hold down the soil, river banks increasingly erode as sediment into the water, creating excess nutrients which exacerbate the changes in the river and create problems miles away, in the sea.

See also

Main article: Outline of forestry

References

  1. ^ 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)
  2. ^ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (1992). "Clear cut." Terms of Environment: Glossary, Abbreviations and Acronyms. p. 6. Document no. EPA-175-B-92-001. Accessed 2011-10-12.
  3. ^ Center for Biological Diversity, Tucson, AZ. "Clearcutting and Climate Change." Accessed 2011-10-12.
  4. ^ Helms, John A. (1998-09-01). The Dictionary of Forestry. Society of American Foresters. ISBN 978-0-939970-73-5.
  5. ^ British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC. "Clearcut System Variations." Introduction to Silvicultural Systems. Based on the published workbook: "Introduction to Silvicultural Systems, second edition (July 1999)." Forest Practices Branch.
  6. ^ Forest Encyclopedia Network Advantages and disadvantages of clearcutting
  7. ^ Swanson, F.J.; Dyrness, C.T. (1975). "Impact of clear-cutting and road construction on soil erosion by landslides in the western Cascade Range, Oregon". Geology. 3 (7). Geological Society of America: 393–396. doi:10.1130/0091-7613(1975)3<393:IOCARC>2.0.CO;2.
  8. ^ Toso Bozic (September 14, 2009). "Woodlot Harvest". Government of Alberta: Agriculture and Rural Development. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  9. ^ Foothill Conservancy, Pine Grove, CA (2001). "Clearcutting in local forests." Foothill Focus. Spring 2001. Accessed 2011-10-12.
  10. ^ Belt, Kevin and Campbell, Robert (1999). "The Clearcutting Controversy - Myths and Facts." West Virginia University Extension Service. Accessed 2011-12-12.
  11. ^ 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}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Responses of Wildlife to Clearcutting and Associated Treatments in the Eastern United States. [1]
  13. ^ Clearcutting land GreeniacsArticles. [2]
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