Selective Logging by Grace Hedberg

What is selective logging? Selective logging is the practice of cutting down or removing one or two damaged trees from a forest. Removing the damaged and diseased trees can help the healthy trees grow faster. Selective logging is often considered a better alternative to clear cutting. Clear cutting is when a large forest is completely cut down, leaving little behind except wood debris and a deforested landscape. In the foreground, where nothing is left but wood debris, is an example of clear cutting. The forest in the background has been selectively logged. Sometimes it can be difficult to identify selective logging because it is the removal of only one or two trees.

Advantages and disadvantages of Selective Logging Leaves area looking pleasant Minimal damage to environment and wildlife habitats Promotes biodiversity Disadvantages -Very expensive to harvest trees -Process is difficult and time consuming for workers

3 different types of selective logging Helicopter (Heli- logging) -This method is used to remove trees from forests by lifting them on strong cables attached to helicopters -This method is often used in inaccessible areas of forest -The use of helicopters reduces the level of infrastructure required to log in a specific location -Helps to reduce the environmental impact of logging and also increases the productivity in remote areas Underwater logging -When artificial reservoirs and dams are built, large areas of forest are often submerged -Takes place in select locations around the world -The trees can be removed by using special underwater machinery known as the Sawfish Harvester Ground logging -Most common type of logging in BC -This method is used to remove trees from forests that are accessible to four wheeled machines.

History of logging in BC (before 1990) First Nations -used forests for food and shelter. -Built longhouses and made clothing, crafted tools and utensils from a variety of forest products. -forests provided First Nations with both edible and medicinal plants. Europeans - First used BC’s forests in March 1778 -John Meares built a small dwelling and constructed a ship out of local Douglas-fir and Western red cedar. HBC - The HBC built forts, including Fort McLeod(1805), Fort St. James(1806), Fort Langley(1827), and Fort Victoria(1843). -The HBC built the first mechanical sawmill in BC at Millstream, near the head of Esquimalt harbour. Its first operation was in 1848 using local timber. - The mill exported to California and Hawaii. - Second mill was built in Nanaimo in 1854 Regulations -The 1912 Forestry Act legislated competitive bidding for timber leases. -In 1947, the Forestry Act was revised and plans were made to restrict logging companies to an allowable annual cut. -This restriction was made to preserve the forests of BC and to ensure that companies were not logging the forests faster than the forests could grow more trees.

History of logging in BC (1990-2010) Export - The export rates of lumber in BC continue to rise each year -As of 2009, the United States was BC’s number one product export destination accounting for 52.8% of BC’s exports In 2009. - Asian markets replaced Europe as BC’s second major regional export market in 2009. Protests -Many people are outraged when areas of their towns or villages are lined up to be clear-cut. - Protests rise when a population is unhappy - In 1993, on the west side of Vancouver Island, protests rose because logging companies were coming to clear-cut large chunks of land The rising industry - More lumber being exported constantly from Canada and BC - More lumber needed for housing due to the massive rise in population

Importance of forestry in BC The forestry industry is one of the largest industries in Canada Approximately 30% of all lumber in Canada is logged in BC The forestry industry is one of the biggest employers in BC BC is one of the largest lumber exporters in the world BC lumber has been shipped around the world since the late 1800s In BC there is a mild climate and high precipitation, perfect climate to grow trees and lush vegetation. The forestry industry of Canada brings in a yearly revenue of approximately 25 billion. The forestry industry is both blue and red in the diagram above

Identifying Problems in the Industry Side one Impact on the environment -Try to maintain sustainable forestry to protect the environment for the long term, making sure the resource does not run out all at once. -If we continue to over cut trees in certain areas, there will be no more trees to harvest later on. -Cutting down too many trees at once can cause erosion. The rivers become dirty killing many fish and damaging the fishing industry. -If we continue to do as much logging as we are right now and don’t find a solution, there will no longer be a forestry industry because our resources will be depleted

Money loss and a decline in revenue Side two Money loss and a decline in revenue -The forestry industry creates multiple jobs for people living in BC. - If the forestry industry is booming, the tax dollars will increase rapidly. -If the taxes are high there is more money to improve the province of BC. -If the logging industry is strong, the taxes will be put towards funding hospitals, schools, and building infrastructure such as roads and bridges. -Forestry and the sales of lumber can improve funding in places that need money to support the province. How can we, as humans successfully log and at the same time still maintain the sustainability of the forest and consistently have trees as a renewable resource?

Explain the issue in a global or national context What would happen if BC stopped logging all together? In a national context - If BC stopped logging, Canada would lose a significant amount of money. Since BC produces approximately 30% of all wood in Canada, the other provinces would have to produce more wood to make up for what is lost from halting BC’s production. The problems that BC is facing now would transfer onto the other provinces in Canada. Overall, Canada would lose the abundance of wood for building materials and the money from the taxes that were put on lumber leaving the country. In a global context - If BC stopped logging, the world would lose a major exporter of the forestry industry. Countries like China, and the United States would have to find another provider of high quality lumber to purchase wood from because they rely so heavily on the wood coming out of BC for building supplies.

Possible solution For every tree we selectively log, we can replace it with a new tree. This act would hopefully improve the problems that the forestry industry faces and it would help to control deforestation. When planting new trees, it is important to replant the same species of tree that was harvested. To prevent one species from becoming extinct. This solution will help maintain the sustainability of the forestry industry in BC If this procedure is followed correctly, the resource of trees should never become depleted.

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