Should remnant trees be left clumped or dispersed to favor species at risk?
During and since the development of the Northwest Forest Plan, the spatial pattern of remnant trees has been under hot debate. The critical issues involve practical and economic feasibility of different cutting patterns as well as trying to optimize benefits to various groups of organisms. Practical considerations include: • safety for logging crews • efficiency of logging • slash disposal • ease of replanting Public perception • aesthetics Biological considerations include • mimicking natural disturbance regimes • immediate and long-term impacts on old-growth associated species • managing the fragmentation of the landscape • effects on quantity and quality of wood produced by the next generation of trees The answer to the question is both complex and important, because in will influence so many aspects of forest management and biological responses. This website cannot attempt to address all the issues. Instead it tells us how the decision of clumped vs. scattered remnant trees is like
