Forest stakeholders and observers claim 98 per cent of timber harvesting in Nova Scotia today is clearcuts. Are they right?
No! Actually the number is closer to 85 per cent. However, what we should focus on is that only 1.8 per cent of Nova Scotia’s operable forests are harvested each year and only 1.2 per cent of Nova Scotia’s total forest lands are harvested and 85 per cent of all harvested areas will grow back naturally, leaving only 15 per cent to be planted. Unfortunately the general public has the perception that clearcutting equals overcutting and that is not the case at all. Scientific evidence clearly supports the fact that we are not overcutting our forests with current silviculture practices that are in place. Indeed, the industry is now beginning to see the fruits of its past labour as we are beginning to see a decline in the amount of clearcutting taking place in Nova Scotia. Another commonly held perception by industry observers is that perhaps as much as half of the clearcutting that takes place occurs in stands where other prescriptions would be preferable. What is FPANS view of this percept
Related Questions
- Is a developer or farmer harvesting timber eligible for the tax credit if they have a Forest Stewardship Plan identifying the areas to be developed or cleared and buffers to be retained?
- Forest stakeholders and observers claim 98 per cent of timber harvesting in Nova Scotia today is clearcuts. Are they right?
- How is professional forest management different from timber harvesting?
