Salvage Logging and Its Ecological Consequences

(Paperback)

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Salvage logging-removing trees from a forested area in the wake of a catastrophic event such as a wildfire or hurricane-is highly controversial. Policymakers and those with an economic interest in harvesting trees typically argue that damaged areas should be logged so as to avoid "wasting" resources, while many forest ecologists contend that removing trees following a disturbance is harmful to a variety of forest species and can interfere with the natural process of ecosystem recovery. Salvage Logging and Its Ecological Consequences brings together three leading experts on forest ecology to explore a wide range of issues surrounding the practice of salvage logging. They gather and synthesize the latest research and information about its economic and ecological costs and benefits, and consider the impacts of salvage logging on ecosystem processes and biodiversity. The book examines: what salvage logging is and why it is controversial; natural and human disturbance regimes in forested ecosystems; differences between salvage harvesting and traditional timber harvesting; scientifically documented ecological impacts of salvage operations; and the importance of land management objectives in determining appropriate post-disturbance interventions. Brief case studies from around the world highlight a variety of projects, including operations that have followed wildfires, storms, volcanic eruptions, and insect infestations. In the final chapter, the authors discuss policy management implications and offer prescriptions for mitigating the impacts of future salvage harvesting efforts.