During a typical year, more than 79 square miles (50,459 acres) of biodiverse forest in our state is clearcut and converted into tree plantations. Since 1977, about 1,812 square miles – approximately a million acres – have been destroyed by clearcutting and related logging practices that eliminate natural, resilient forests.
Clearcutting Impacts
Accelerates climate change – Clearcutting releases more CO2 emissions than any other form of logging, and areas that are clearcut will not be “climate-neutral” for many decades. Large amounts of carbon are also stored in forest soils and roots; that carbon is released into the atmosphere during clearcutting operations. Alternative logging methods would produce fewer emissions.
Negatively impacts water quality and quantity – Clearcutting and the logging roads created to service clearcuts can increase erosion of sediments into creeks and rivers, clouding waters and reducing water quality for fish habitat and human consumption. Toxic herbicides used in clearcutting and tree plantations can make their way into our watersheds. In addition,we rely heavily on the Sierra snowpack to supply nearly two-thirds of our state’s water needs (especially through the summer). With a warmer and drier climate, the snow we receive melts faster and earlier, depleting the water supplies “stored” as ice and snow. Clearcut forests exacerbate this problem, with few trees for shade and less vegetation overall.
Increases temperature / decreases humidity – The loss of adequate tree canopy cover exposes the forest to increased sunlight, making it hotter and drier. Temperatures rise significantly in clearcuts. Hotter and drier air from clearcuts can raise temperatures and lessen humidity in adjacent forest areas as well, increasing the risk of hotter, more devastating fires.
Destroys critical habitat and migration corridors for wildlife – As more habitat is removed, wildlife struggle to survive – especially during severe weather and changing climate conditions. Wildlife need a biodiverse forest, which includes a variety of native plant and tree species. Biodiverse forests also contain critical habitat features such as large trees, snags, and downed logs, which are usually removed when a natural forest is clearcut and converted into a tree plantation. Clearcuts and tree plantations are a largely degraded environment for many of the diverse native plants and animals that are part of a forest ecosystem community.
Decimates native plant species – Hotter and drier conditions and soil disturbances from clearcutting hurt native plants, and logging companies spray various herbicides to keep native plants from returning.
Increases the risk of high-intensity fires – Studies on forest fires have demonstrated that where even-aged tree plantations are grown, fires can burn with greater intensity and speed.
Negatively impacts local communities and the economy – People enjoy recreational activities in forests that are healthy and that support an abundance of wildlife, plants and scenic beauty. Sustaining healthy forests also means maintaining sustainable jobs and forest resources that can impact local economies directly or indirectly.