Ecologically Responsible Forestry

Clearcutting is not the only way to log; there are other options. The bottom line: the way trees are harvested must reflect the ecology of the woods in which the loggers are working. Clearcutting has to be dramatically reduced. By moving away from such complete reliance on it, Nova Scotia can have a forest industry that:

• maintains the structural characteristics of the forest;
• preserves biodiversity;
• can co-exist with other forest uses like recreation;
• provides a stable local economy and long-term employment.

Selection harvesting, or uneven-aged forest management, refers to the cutting of single trees or small groups of trees at a time. It is an ideal practice for much of the Acadian Forest region. While more labour intensive than clearcutting, selection harvesting allows a landowner to harvest timber while maintaining or restoring the species, genetic, and structural diversity of a natural forest. Indicators of good selection harvesting include a closed forest canopy; a diversity of tree species and ages, mirroring natural conditions; and lots of dead wood, both on the forest floor and as standing snags.

Selection harvesting targets the diseased and slowest growing trees in a stand for removal while leaving the healthy, vigorous trees to grow to their full potential. Some trees are left alone, like those that provide cavities for nesting birds or that are under-represented in the stand. If logging is done like this the volume of standing timber doesn't have to shrink, and the forest ecosystem doesn't have to get simplified.

From an economic perspective, good selection harvesting can be thought of as “harvesting the interest” – accruing a modest economic benefit from the forest on a regular basis (e.g., every year, every five years) forever. Clearcutting, by contrast, provides a windfall in Year One, followed by many decades with little or nothing to harvest. It is like liquidating the capital that is the forest. The proven long-term sustainability of selection harvesting makes it an attractive choice for wood-lot owners who want to retain the long-term value of their property.

The Wildlands League of Ontario has many good reports on enivronmentally responsible forestry, including a comprehensive report on alternatives to clearcutting; you can download the full report here (PDF, 1.3 mb).

Clearcutting is just one tool in the forestry box. You don't use a hammer to drive in a screw – why would you clearcut healthy Acadian Forest?