User talk:89.240.7.182
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User Talk: Forest Farming - The Ecosystem Approach to Forest Management This is not vandalism- please read as supporting documentation.
Here is an additional forest farm (yes, another one of "US") website to check out: http//www.highdesertnet.com/morninghill/
There are quite a few forest farmers out here and we have a forest farm association. Following is a letter by Orville camp exerpt from the Forest Farm Management Journal (the Journal is available only hardcopy and is not available online at present):
[edit] The forest management controversy
Dear Forest Manager,
Management of our forests has become one of the most controversial issues of this century. Many species are now extinct or in danger of becoming so. The controversial spotted owl, for example, is only one of many species dependent on ancient forests which are rap idly being eliminated. People are concerned. Our social and eco nomic well-being is at stake.
Forest management practices continue to deplete our forests. As a result, opposition to these practices has become intense. Many are desperately working to save what little remains of the ancient forests by having them placed into wilderness for future generations.
On one side the traditionalists want to continue converting forests into tree farms. On the other side, environmentalists want all of the forests preserved. While both may serve some immediate needs, neither seem to have a long term solution on how to manage and sustain the forest ecosystem so that it can continue to provide our many dif ferent needs.
Most timber management pro grams, for short term economic rea sons, are based on the clearcut con cept. Clearcuts are typically done in one or two steps. They are called "clearcuts" if everything is removed in one step, "seed tree cutting," "shel terwood cutting," or "selective cutting" if done in two or more steps.
Who do you know who's able to sustain either the forest or himself using clearcutting practices? The truth is, probably no one. Most businesses keep track of what is happening to their "net worth" as a measure of their success. However, many foresters prescribe clearcutting which reduces the net worth of that forest to zero. Even the value of the land itself is often re duced because of the reduction in potential for productivity. They then try to measure their success by the number of trees they plant. Regard less of how many trees planted, or survival success, the net worth of that forest is still relatively close to zero. If the forest was one of old growth, it will be several hundred years at best before the some values can be ob tained.
The main cause of the management problem is a result of not recog nizing the forest as an ecosystem of all species and ages where each are dependent on the other in some way as we are upon them. This body of living things also has a natural system of checks and balances which keeps it healthy. The sec ond cause of the problem, as a result of the above, is in failing to select the right individuals for har vest so that all species' needs can continue to be met.
Proposed solutions to forest management problems typically call for either dividing it up, or eliminating unwanted parts, to serve special interests .. Since all parts of the forest ecosystem are interconnected and interdependent, neither of these solutions are good ones.
There is now an alternative for those who support management of the forest as an ecosystem. Mid way between just growing and har vesting trees, on one hand, and maintaining a do-not-touch wilderness on the other, the Forest Farm Association offers a new meaning to the term forestry. The Forest Farm Association is comprised of forest managers who support and practice a middle-of-the-road approach.
If you are interested in practicing forest management in an environmentally sound manner, or want to learn more about it and also help educate others, please join the Forest Farm Association. Your contribution is needed and very much appreciated.
Sincerely, Orville Camp
submitted User: jeanniekendrickJeannie kendrick 21:58, 18 March 2007 (UTC)
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