USA: 42 pages of abstracts on deadwood, not loggers, being essential to forest ecosystems
This bunch of abstracts contains a gold mine of information about the
value of dead wood. And of course, “managed” forests almost
universally are deficit in dead trees–even so called “sustainable
forestry” does not match natural situations for dead wood or the
processes that create dead wood–which is also important to how the
wood functions in the ecosystem. I.e. Forestry of any kind is not a
replacement for beetles, fires, etc. and it’s a shame that some
environmental organizations are suggesting that there is some kind of
“good” forestry.
All logging harms forest ecosystems–just some a
little less so than others. But that is not the same as “forestry is
beneficial”. And this is based on what we know–and what we don’t
know is far more than what we know. Natural processes create “better”
snags than foresters going in with chain saws to girdle trees. In some
parts of the country ants found in dead wood are a major source of
food for bears during critical periods before berries ripen. In one
area fires only “consumed” 8% of the trees, the rest remain as down
woody debris and snags, thus making fires a major creator of wood.
Ants are a major predator on defoliating moths and ants rely on dead
wood for their home and foraging. Dead wood becomes travel corridors
on and under snow for small mammals. In forests without this down wood
animals like weasels, voles, etc. are less abundant. How a tree dies
affects it ultimate ecological influence-i.e. a fire killed tree is
different than a wind killed tree, etc. Bark beetles create entry way
for fungi as well as other insects into the trees which affects how
the tree decomposes, I.e. without bark beetles, there would far less
diversity. You get the point. Lots of good stuff here.
wuerthner@earthlink.net
— Posted to http://forestpolicyresearch.com via gmails to posterous &
forestpolicyresearch@yahoogroups.com
The Ecology and Management of Dead Wood in Western Forests.doc (159 KB)
Posted via email from Deane’s posterous