Unit 1 - Forest Management
Completion requirements
Negative Effects of Forest Development on the Environment
Logging can negatively affect forest species and the water and carbon cycles.
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Species diversification can be negatively affected when their natural habitat and food sources are removed. When an area is logged, the seedlings that are planted are usually one species, removing the variety of the forest, making it less habitable to
many animals. In most parts of Canada, this type of monoculture planting does not happen as forest industries are required by law to plant, or seed the same species that are harvested.
The genetic traits of animal species are also impacted when large areas of forests are removed, as many animals will not cross logged areas. This not only restricts access to food, but also the ability of animals to pass on traits that could strengthen their species. It is concerning that animals residing in certain areas may become extinct, possibly even before their species is discovered.
The genetic traits of animal species are also impacted when large areas of forests are removed, as many animals will not cross logged areas. This not only restricts access to food, but also the ability of animals to pass on traits that could strengthen their species. It is concerning that animals residing in certain areas may become extinct, possibly even before their species is discovered.
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With permission from the Canadian Institute of Forestry / Institut forestier du Canada.
With permission from the Canadian Institute of Forestry / Institut forestier du Canada.
Trees contribute to the water cycle through transpiration, this happens when water vapours evaporate from the leaves into the atmosphere. The evaporated water creates clouds which release the moisture in the form of rain or snow. The
water on the ground is then drawn up through the roots, purifying and circulating the water.
At the same time, trees protect soil from erosion by slowing the rain before it hits the ground and holding the soil with their roots. When an area is logged, trees cannot keep streams and rivers cool for animals and they cannot protect the area from landslides caused by erosion.
There are laws in place in Canada to prevent harvesting in a way that causes erosion and deterioration of water sources.
At the same time, trees protect soil from erosion by slowing the rain before it hits the ground and holding the soil with their roots. When an area is logged, trees cannot keep streams and rivers cool for animals and they cannot protect the area from landslides caused by erosion.
There are laws in place in Canada to prevent harvesting in a way that causes erosion and deterioration of water sources.
Click image to enlarge.
With permission from the Canadian Institute of Forestry / Institut forestier du Canada.
With permission from the Canadian Institute of Forestry / Institut forestier du Canada.
Trees can be carbon sinks or carbon sources. In the carbon cycle trees take-up carbon dioxide and release oxygen, acting as a carbon sink. Since carbon is one of the greenhouse gasses that prevents heat from escaping Earth’s atmosphere,
having it trapped by forests helps maintain the earth’s climate, preventing climate change. When a tree is cut down it no longer takes in carbon, and if it is burned for fuel that carbon is released back into the atmosphere, more quickly
than it would if it just decomposed in the forest, making it a carbon source.
Forests are huge carbon filtration and storage systems. Tropical rainforests absorb more CO2 than boreal forests. The Amazon rainforest absorbs about 2 billion tonnes of the world's CO2 emissions annually;
but Canada’s boreal forests are doing their part to keep our atmosphere clean too, absorbing about 117 million tonnes of carbon per year.
Forest Facts
Studies done on logging roads, biodiversity, and species management have found that as roads and trails are built, they not only increase human traffic to an area, but they are also used by animals to access new areas. Consequently, some species that prefer more isolation struggle with increased traffic, competitors for food and predators. Caribou are an example of species greatly impacted by industry. Roads built and used for logging, gas and oil, and mining, have disrupted migration routes, impacted breeding grounds, and allowed predators easier access to areas in which the caribou live.
In conclusion, properly managed logging can improve forest health by reducing pests, removing disease, preventing fire and providing space for some animals. In contrast, logging may negatively impact the environment by reducing forest biodiversity, removing trees from both the water and carbon cycle, and disturbing migration routes and breeding grounds.