Salvage Logging and Its Ecological ConsequencesSalvage logging—removing trees from a forested area in the wake of a catastrophic event such as a wildfire or hurricane—is highly controversial. Policymakers and those with an economic interest in harvesting trees typically argue that damaged areas should be logged so as to avoid “wasting” resources, while many forest ecologists contend that removing trees following a disturbance is harmful to a variety of forest species and can interfere with the natural process of ecosystem recovery. Salvage Logging and Its Ecological Consequences brings together three leading experts on forest ecology to explore a wide range of issues surrounding the practice of salvage logging. They gather and synthesize the latest research and information about its economic and ecological costs and benefits, and consider the impacts of salvage logging on ecosystem processes and biodiversity. The book examines • what salvage logging is and why it is controversial • natural and human disturbance regimes in forested ecosystems • differences between salvage harvesting and traditional timber harvesting • scientifically documented ecological impacts of salvage operations • the importance of land management objectives in determining appropriate post-disturbance interventions Brief case studies from around the world highlight a variety of projects, including operations that have followed wildfires, storms, volcanic eruptions, and insect infestations. In the final chapter, the authors discuss policy management implications and offer prescriptions for mitigating the impacts of future salvage harvesting efforts. Salvage Logging and Its Ecological Consequences is a “must-read” volume for policymakers, students, academics, practitioners, and professionals involved in all aspects of forest management, natural resource planning, and forest conservation. |
Contents
1 | |
Natural Disturbance of Forest Ecosystems | 17 |
The Effects of Salvage Logging on Ecological Phenomena | 45 |
Case Studies of Salvage Logging and Its Ecological Impacts | 83 |
Reducing the Ecological Impacts of Salvage Logging | 126 |
Other editions - View all
Salvage Logging and Its Ecological Consequences David Lindenmayer,Philip Burton,Jerry F. Franklin No preview available - 2008 |
Salvage Logging and Its Ecological Consequences David B. Lindenmayer,Philip J. Burton,Jerry F. Franklin No preview available - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
activities altered areas associated Australia biodiversity biological legacies biota boreal British Columbia burned Burton Canada Canadian chapter communities composition Conservation cover created damaged dead disturbance regimes diversity eastern ecological ecological processes economic ecosystems effects et al example extensive Figure fire forest Forestry Foster Franklin fuels future green growth habitat harvesting hemlock human hurricane impacts important increase influence insect intensity issues Journal kinds land landscape levels limit Lindenmayer major mountain pine beetle natural disturbance North objectives occur old-growth operations Oregon organisms Orwig particular patches patterns percent planning plant plantations policies populations potential practices Press processes production range recover recovery reduced regeneration regions removal Research resource response result retention salvage logging scale Service severity significant soil spatial species stands structure studies Sustainable timber tion trees types United values variability vegetation Washington western wildfires wood