The Article: http://oregonforests.org/content/clearcutting
Summary:
Clearcutting is a process of harvesting timber by removing all plant life in the area being harvested. This method of harvesting timber is considered to be the most economically sustainable form of harvesting timber because of the ability for companies to only have to enter the area once and not have to be selective in which trees to cut down. Clearcutting provides similar effects as clearings formed by wildfires, windstorms, flooding, and volcanic eruptions. Clearcutting serves as a viable option for plants that require lots of sunlight, due to the resulting open areas, but clearcutting is a not a logical solution for shade dependent plants.
My Opinion:
Clearcutting provides plants with an open area for growth. However although plant are being removed they are not affected as much as the animals in the area. These animal lose their homes once clearcutting has happened and although the area will eventually regrow it will push animals into closer proximity causing greater competition for resources necessary for their survival. If the area is replanted with trees that will eventually be harvested it will cut down on the biodiversity of the area. I believe that clearcutting is a necessary event that must be used in some cases if we want to continue producing paper products. However it is possible to plant trees at various times so that while on patch of trees is harvested another patch is still growing. Using this form of tree harvesting we can ensure that animal population always has area with trees for them to live.
Summary:
Clearcutting is a process of harvesting timber by removing all plant life in the area being harvested. This method of harvesting timber is considered to be the most economically sustainable form of harvesting timber because of the ability for companies to only have to enter the area once and not have to be selective in which trees to cut down. Clearcutting provides similar effects as clearings formed by wildfires, windstorms, flooding, and volcanic eruptions. Clearcutting serves as a viable option for plants that require lots of sunlight, due to the resulting open areas, but clearcutting is a not a logical solution for shade dependent plants.
My Opinion:
Clearcutting provides plants with an open area for growth. However although plant are being removed they are not affected as much as the animals in the area. These animal lose their homes once clearcutting has happened and although the area will eventually regrow it will push animals into closer proximity causing greater competition for resources necessary for their survival. If the area is replanted with trees that will eventually be harvested it will cut down on the biodiversity of the area. I believe that clearcutting is a necessary event that must be used in some cases if we want to continue producing paper products. However it is possible to plant trees at various times so that while on patch of trees is harvested another patch is still growing. Using this form of tree harvesting we can ensure that animal population always has area with trees for them to live.
Selective Cutting
vs.
Clear cutting
vs.
Clear cutting