Logging to make a living: How to do it right

Aubry, K., Peterson, C. (2007), GREEN-TREE RETENTION IN HARVEST UNITS: BOON OR BUST FOR BIODIVERSITY?

Avaiblable online at: http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/ (Jan 24, 2012)

Isaak, D.J., Wollrab, S., Horan, D., Chandler, C. (2011), 

Climate change effects on stream and river temperatures across the northwest U.S. from 1980–2009 and implications for salmonid fishes. DOI 10.1007/s10584-011-0326-z

Available online at: http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_other/rmrs_2011_isaak_d003.html (Accessed Jan 23, 2013)

Guenther, S. M., Gomi, T. and Moore, R. D. (2012), Stream and bed temperature variability in a coastal headwater catchment: influences of surface-subsurface interactions and partial-retention forest harvesting. Hydrol. Process.. doi: 10.1002/hyp.9673

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hyp.9673/references

Galiano Conservancy, 2009. Ecological Restoration of BC Forest. Available from: http://www.watershedsentinel.ca/content/ecological-restoration-bc-forest

I come from a family who is lucky enough to live and work in one of the most beautiful place in the world. The downside, they moved there in 1945 to start a logging company. I know as well as anyone, that everyone needs to make a living, but I still feel it is my duty to help ensure that logging is done in the best way possible, and then to restore the forest once the logging has taken place.

There are many reasons why logging is negative to forests, but I will focus on two; damage to streams and rivers that run through the logging block, and uprooting of animals that were living in and depending on the trees that were removed.

                                          http://hardcoretreeplanters.com/

Forests create protection on many levels. They directly protect birds, insects and many mammals by providing food and shelter.  Also, forests protect most streams and rivers from direct sunlight, debris, and chemicals. The streams and rivers house many fish and plants, which are also effected by forest clear-cutting. When a forest is clear-cut, it destroys the protection of these rivers and animals relying on them. A study by Guenther et al in 2012 looked at the average water temperatures of a few streams between 2002 and 2005. In 2004, the area was logged and it was found that the daily temperatures of the streams rose up to 3 degrees higher. Temperature changes in streams and rivers can alter species distribution among aquatic animals because they have many physiological processes, such as the degradation of toxic chemicals and cellular respiration, that are temperature dependent, and therefore, a few degree temperature change can effect them majorly (Isaak et al, 2010).

Education and pressure to create laws against clear cutting is important. There are better ways to log, including using the thinning method (taking out only a few trees) which may actually increase forest growth by allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and smaller trees (Galiano Conservancy, 2009). There is also the green tree retention method, which leaves some of the older, bigger trees that are thought to provide micro-climates and enhance habitat for other plants and animals (Aubry and Peterson, 2007). Another may be to think up and implement new housing within logging blocks for the displaced animals.  

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