Visualizing Environmental Science

Stephen Sharnoff/NG Image Collection

a. Aerial view of a large patch of clear-cut forest in

British Columbia, Canada. Clear-cutting is the most

common but most controversial type of logging. The

obvious line is a road built to haul away the logs.

b. As a forest scientist looks at a clear-cut forest, he or she may think about the various kinds of
tree harvesting (1 to 3) that are less environmentally destructive than clear-cutting (4).

(1) In selective cutting, the older, mature trees are

selectively harvested from time to time, and the forest

regenerates itself naturally.

(4) In clear-cutting, all trees are removed from a particular

site. Clear-cut areas may be reseeded or allowed to

regenerate naturally.

(2) In shelterwood cutting, less desirable and dead trees are

harvested. As younger trees mature, they produce seedlings,

which continue to grow as the now-mature trees are harvested.

(3) Seed tree cutting involves the removal of all but a

few trees, which are allowed to remain to provide seeds

for natural regeneration.

WHAT A SCIENTIST SEES

Harvesting Trees