Seeing the Forest
After watching this video I learned about the changes in management practices in the Siuslaw National Forest that were needed to protect ecosystems. I recommend watching the video and learning how changes made over the years protect this beautiful place. A short list below is what I learned.
In the past, logging of all trees in certain areas decimated the landscape creating prime conditions for erosion and loss of habitat for wildlife. Erosion made local waterways uninhabitable for salmon.
Northwest Forest Plan established the framework for protecting certain species like the spotted owls and salmon in forest. What was unique about the Siuslaw National Forest is that most of the waterways were vital for salmon, therefor making them untouchable to logging.
Torrent of Change brought about the understanding
that the mismanagement of forest with logging and neglect of managing road ways
would lead to erosion, loss of habitat and destruction of salmon bearing
rivers. The 1996 winter storm showed how devastating and destructive storms can be on mismanaged forest.
Better management practices were established which all sides saw benefits. Logging companies were allowed to thin out densely grown forest areas to created better conditions for old forest growth. The profits from the logging were spent on restoring waterways and watersheds to protect salmon inside and outside the forest.
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