In studies of the snag-forest habitat left by high-intensity burns, ecologists have found biodiversity equal to, or surpassing, the biodiversity found in old-growth forest. Western trees are beautifully adapted to fire ecologically but poorly adapted politically. No forest type has fewer legal protections, and is more vulnerable to exploitation, than burned forest. In May the U.S. Forest Service proposed a salvage logging plan to clear-cut nearly 30,000 acres of the Rim Fire burn area, and it has begun a hazardous-tree removal project that would log an additional 16,000 acres. A bonanza for the timber industry, the salvage plan would sell 661 million board feet of timber, nearly four times the volume sold last year in all of Californias national forests. The plan would waive Forest Service rules intended to protect old-growth forest. Trees more than 30 inches in diameter at the base, formerly off-limits, are now fair game.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 07:05:06 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015