Information AboutLogging |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT LOGGING | |
| forestryforestry | |
| forestry | |
| resource extraction | |
|
Logging is the process in which Tree s are cut down usually as part of a timber harvest. Timber is harvested to supply raw material for the Wood Products Industry including logs for Sawmills and Pulp Wood for the Pulp And Paper Industry . Logging can also remove wood for Forest Management goals. Logging is controversial due to its perceived Environmental and Aesthetic impacts. Well planned and well managed logging operations often have very low impact on the environment. USE OF THE TERM LOGGING IN FORESTRY In refers to what in forestry might be called timber theft. In common usage what is sometimes called clearcut logging is not necessarily considered a type of logging but a harvest or silviculture method and is simply called Clearcutting or block cutting. In the forest products industry logging companies may be referred as logging contractors. Logging usually refers to above-ground forestry logging. Submerged forests exist on land that has been flooded to create artificial Dam s and Reservoir s, and trees have started to be felled there too (see Underwater Logging ). LOGGING AND FORESTRY ]] The two main Stakeholder s in most logging operations are the landowner and the logging contractor. Prior to a large harvest a landowner will often hire a consulting Forester . Owners of large industrial tracts may employ their own foresters. During planning for the harvest the forester will determine how best to meet the landowner's objectives, including the Silvicultural system to be used, even-aged or uneven-aged management, layout of roads and landings. If a Selection Cut is planned the forester will mark the trees intended to be cut or if a Clear Cut which blocks are to be harvested. A well-managed forest will be harvested according to a Forest Management plan. This plan should include areas off-limits to cutting such as sensitive Habitat , Vernal Pools and Riparian Zone s. A logging contractor may get paid according to the volume of wood harvested. LOGGING METHODS The above operations can be carried out by different methods, of which the following three are considered industrial methods: ;Tree-length logging :Trees are felled and then delimbed and topped at the stump. The log is then transported to the landing, where it is Bucked and loaded on a truck. This leaves the Slash (and the nutrients it contains) in the cut area where it must be further treated if wildland fires are of concern. ;Full-tree logging :Trees are felled and transported to the roadside with top and limbs intact. The trees are then delimbed, topped, and bucked at the landing. This method requires that slash be treated at the landing. In areas with access to cogeneration facilities, the slash can be chipped and used for the production of clean electricity or heat. Full-tree harvesting also refers to utilization of the entire tree including branches and tops. ceres.ca.gov This technique removes both nutrients and soil cover from the site and so can be harmful to the long term health of the area if no further action is taken, however, depending on the species, many of the limbs are often broken off in handling so the end result may not be as different from tree-length logging as it might seem. ; Cut-to-length Logging :Trees are felled, delimbed, bucked, and sorted (pulpwood, sawlog, etc.) at the stump area, leaving limbs and tops in the forest. Harvester s fell the tree, Delimb and Buck it, and place the resulting logs in bunks to be brought to the landing by the Forwarder . in Nuniong is the only one of its kind in Australia, with engine, spars and cables still rigged for work]]. This method is usable for smaller timber on ground flat enough that fordwarders can operate, but does not work well on steep slopes. OPERATIONS to Vancouver , B.C.]] A Timber harvest can consist of the following operations, although not necessarily in the following order. ;Pre-logging Planning Permitting Sale Accessing Marking Measuring Marketing ;Logging Felling Processing Stump to landing Landing to mill ;Post-logging Burning Ground preparation Replanting Road deconstruction LOGGING AND SAFETY Logging is by some measures a dangerous occupation. Loggers work with heavy, moving weights and the use of tools such as chainsaws and heavy equipment on uneven and sometimes unstable terrain. Loggers also deal with severe environmental conditions such as inclement weather and severe heat or cold. An injured logger is often far from professional emergency treatment. The risks experienced in logging operations can be somewhat reduced, where conditions permit, by the use of mechanical tree Harvesters and Forwarder s. LOGGING AND THE ENVIRONMENT in Oregon]] The many impacts of logging on the environment can be divided into two broad categories, the timber harvest itself, that is, the removal of trees from the forest, and secondly the impact caused by logging operations such as felling or dragging trees and operation of machinery in the forest. Impact of harvest of trees Removal of trees alters Species Composition , the structure of the forest, and can cause Nutrient depletion. This may provide opportunities for some species while creating a loss of opportunity for others. Trees providing midday shade to streams may alter stream temperature either by preventing the sun from shining on the water by day, or by preventing the water from radiating the heat back at night. Impact of logging operations Modern ground based logging operations require the use of heavy machinery in the forest. In some areas roads must be built which often causes Habitat Fragmentation and increased Edge Effect . The use of heavy machinery in a forest can cause Soil Compaction . Harvesting on steep slopes can lead to Soil Erosion , Landslides , and water Turbidity . Logging on saturated soils can cause ruts and change drainage patterns. Harvest activity near Wetland s or Vernal Pool s can degrade the habitat. Forest machines use oils which, if not handled carefully, can cause pollution. Roadbuilding for access to timber in frontier forests often opens up areas previously not accessible, which facilitates further development such as farming. MITIGATION BENEFITS Logging can also have positive effects on the environment by removing damaged or diseased trees or both, and opening up the canopy to promote growth of smaller, healthier trees. Branches, Snag s, and other non-marketable parts of the tree provide shelter for Wildlife . Underbrush that would not otherwise grow due to lack of sunlight thrives, and is an important food source for browsing mammals. Select cutting can improve the forest and bring to market trees that would otherwise decompose. - In the 19th and early 20th century, logged over areas were sometimes sold or donated to the state, or forfeited for back taxes. Following the maturation of new growth, usually of different tree species, this area became the basis of certain outstanding recreation areas, including the White Mountain National Forest . Another benefit that logging has, is it provides jobs. There are over 320,000 jobs that have to do with the logging industry in Canada. - SEE ALSO
EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|