| Clearcutting generally means that a forest must be replaced by a planted "monoculture"--a plantation of one species of tree, usually a currently valuable species. A loss of genetic diversity is likely. Plantations can also lead to a problem with dense brush and the temptation to apply pesticides. Planted trees may not develop roots properly, and insects and fungal diseases will likely be attracted to the uniform stands of a single species. The plantation has none of the protection offered by the diversity found in an untidy old growth forest. |
|
A large tract of commercially deforested land in Guatemala. Photo courtesy of Dana Slaymaker. |
| While clearcuts are economically attractive--they can be done cheaply with few workers and lots of machinery--for our society they may be a case of short term gain for long term pain. Trading forests for plantations seems like a big gamble, with a possible loss of economic alternatives for the future. Old trees produce stronger wood with longer fibers than young plantation trees. Forests dedicated to clearcut logging also eliminate alternative sources of revenue, from tourism for example. |
overcutting -- page 4 of 4
[1] [2] [3] [4]
related topics
[loss of biodiversity] [pests] [insects] [fungi] [roots] [tourism]
view the condensed version of the overcutting article for faster printing/reading
return to the deforestation article