Definition: Cutting all the trees in one area.
Positive Aspects:
This method provides more light for the new trees. Another positive aspect is, burning
helps the natural reforestation of some species. Lastly it is the cheapest method.
Negative aspects:
After all the trees are cut, a plantation is created. It is NOT a forest because
all the trees are the same type and they are all the same age. Herbicides are used to make sure that no other species
of tree grows. This is harmful because if some thing harmful, that only attacks one specific type of tree,(i.e. tent caterpillars,
spruce bud worms) attacks the whole plantation, then the whole plantation dies.
Some species of animal may die during the process of clear cutting because their habitat has
been destroyed.
The soil in and around the area of the clear cut is hardend and eroded because of the machines
that are used.
Flooding occurs much more easily because tree roots are no longer able to hold back rain water.
Because of the loss of protection (trees that have been clear cut) other trees may be come damaged
by the wind.
There are less jobs in the forest because of all the machines. However, there are more jobs
in the pulp and paper industry (You can take that either way).
Other:
Have you ever gotten crappy paper? By that I mean, low quality lined or even printer paper.
I know I certinaly have. The paper is low quality because of the type of wood used to make it. When industries clear cut the
really don't care which trees they harvest. This creates crappy paper because the wood that should be used to make paper is
being used to make furniture and also crappy furniture because the wood that should be being used to make furniture is being
used for paper.
