Clear Cut Logging and Other Options

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Clear Cut Logging and Other Options

Have you ever awakened on a beautiful sunny morning in the Southwest planning on

going for a hike in the Cascade Mountains, but when you arrive at your destination

there are only stumps? This is the result of clear-cut logging. The negative aspects of

logging, by far, outweigh the benefits. Clear-cut logging is the practice of harvesting

all the trees in a specifically marked area. Another logging method is a selective cut

which is the harvesting of some trees to open the canopy so the remaining trees can

grow faster. Last but not least, is the practice of salvage logging. This results in the

harvesting of dead or dying trees, either in a selective or clear-cut method. Over time,

clear-cut logging has been used for a variety of reasons. They include, but are not

limited to, generating revenue, the maximum production of wood fiber for its many

uses, and clearing land for houses and businesses. Clear-cut logging possesses some

positive outcomes and some negative outcomes. The positives of clear-cut logging

include: The increased amount of jobs available, which in turn betters America's

economy by generating revenue, the chance for prevention of catastrophic fires, and

the bettering of forest health. Another benefit is the production of wood products, and

the access provided to the public from the logging roads. On the other hand, the

negatives of clear-cut logging include the increased amount of sedimentation in

streams and rivers, the increase in water temperatures, the degradation of fish and

wildlife habitat, the increased chance for fires, and the soil compacting caused by

heavy logging machinery.

Clear-cut logging benefits America's economy in several w...

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...n the Ponderosa Pine start very high up, so fires

spreading do not ignite these trees. But when clear-cut logging occurs, Lodge Pole

Pine replaces the Ponderosa Pine in very dense stands increasing the chances for fires

to catch and become catastrophic.

There are several reasons why clear-cut, selective, and salvage logging

techniques have been used. A few include: the economic benefit, the increase in

forest health, an the maximum production of wood fiber for its many uses. Although

clear-cut logging may provide economic benefits, we now see why it is so detrimental

to the environment. Even though here in the Southwest the economy outweighs the

ecosystem, everyday the ecosystem is catches up a little bit to the economy. It is our

job as a nation to ensure that future generations can enjoy a beautiful forest and a

wonderful wildlife to go with it.

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