Clearcutting/Forestry

A detailed Summary of Clearcutting/Forestry

Clearcutting is a harvesting method that removes the entire timber stand in an area. This removes all the trees (or all merchantable trees) on the site. Clearcutting is a recognized and commonly practiced method of harvesting and regenerating many valuable southern forest species.

Clearcutting has come under close scrutiny by policymakers and the public because of perceptions that clearcutting unacceptably damages the environment. Unfortunately, the term "clearcutting" is used in two different ways, which complicates understanding and resolution of associated issues. The term is used by the general public to describe deliberate forest exploitation. Clearcutting considers only short-term economic gain not the long-term health of the forest or local community. While professional foresters use the term in the context of prudent forest management, one of several methods prescribed to regenerate a mature forest.

Clearcutting considers only short-term economic gain not the long-term health of the forest because it has resulted in the loss of employment and the loss of dignified, meaningful work. Clearcutting ensures cheap resources now, but what about the future. This exposes the soil to erosion, water storage capacity is lost

Clearcutting can meet many objectives in addition to meeting consumer demand for lumber and related products. Differences in its use and applicability vary depending upon (1) the ownership of the management property, i.e., public, tribal, industrial, nonindustrial private; (2) landowner objectives, e.g., primarily for wood products or multiple use, wildlife habitat, recreation, etc.; and (3) forest type, considering that some tree species occur naturally in even-aged groups, while others occur naturally in mixtures. Some advantages of professionally-applied clearcutting include: Removal of forest stands that have a quality or structure that do not meet landowner objectives or that are suffering damage due to insects, disease, windstorms, or fire; i.e., to restore forest health. Establishing microclimatic conditions necessary to regenerate shade-intolerant tree species, e.g., Douglas-fir, most pine species, oak species, black cherry, aspen, paper birch and larch. Depending upon landowner objectives and the specific characteristics of the harvest site location, clearcutting does not necessarily lead to monocultures. Natural regeneration (from seed and sprouting), as well as artificial regeneration (from seeding and planting), frequently complement each other to regenerate a harvested site. Creating temporary benefits to wildlife that use the "edge effect" and early successional stages for forest regrowth. Such species as bobwhite, woodcock, songbirds, ruffed grouse, and deer all benefit from increased edge (Bolen et al. 1995). In areas already managed to produce timber, some clearcutting can be used to generate young growth required by certain birds (Lipske 1997). Mimicking regeneration processes that occur in natural forest stands that have dev

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Approximate Word count = 1183
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Science