USA: Biomass harvesting loopholes outlined for loggers
“An Assessment of Biomass Harvesting Guidelines” report reviewed
foresting guidelines that advise loggers and foresters how to remove
woody biomass, and how much should be left in the woods to promote the
healthy longevity of watersheds, wildlife habitat and long-term forest
productivity. In its Jan. 8 announcement, the Forest Guild stated
that, while new forest practice guidelines are beginning to
incorporate information on woody biomass removal, those developed
years ago never spoke to the removal of logging slash, small-diameter
trees, tops and limbs because there was no interest and, furthermore,
no anticipation of any future interest in removing these materials
from forests.
The report also noted the importance that dead wood
plays in the health of a forest, and when waste wood is removed from
the forest, dead wood content is significantly reduced. “Dead wood
plays an important role in the ecosystem by providing wildlife
habitat, cycling nutrients, aiding plant regeneration, decreasing
erosion, and storing carbon,” the Forest Guild stated. The
organization stated the reduction of dead wood and its impact on
forests should be a focal point in future guidelines. “Guidelines
should make clear and specific recommendations to retain standing dead
trees [or snags], existing course woody material, harvest-generated
coarse woody material, fine woody material, and the forest floor and
litter layer,” the guild recommended. Other recommendations in the
report include considering the full range of potential impacts from
biomass removal when developing guidelines; incorporating public input
and collaboration into the guideline development process; clearly and
appropriately defining terms such as “woody biomass.” “New interest in
woody biomass is a double-edged sword,” said Zander Evans, Forest
Guild research director and author of the report. “If harvested
sustainably, biomass can meet some of our energy needs and leave our
forests healthier than they are now. However, without appropriate
guidance, biomass harvests can seriously degrade our forests.”
http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2343
— Posted to http://forestpolicyresearch.com via gmail to posterous and
also to forestpolicyresearch@yahoogroups.com
