SALVAGING TIMBER; SCUTTLING FORESTS The Ecological Effects of Post-Fire Salvage Logging

Most native species of plants and animals inhabiting forest ecosystems evolved with natural adaptations to the patterns and processes of fire disturbance and recovery.[1] One of the effects of fire disturbances is the creation of dead trees, both standing "snags" and downed logs. Fire-killed snags and logs serve vital roles in the structure and function of healthy forest ecosystems in general, and are especially important for natural recovery processes following fire events. [2] They provide food and shelter to wildlife, fish, and numerous insects, microbes, and fungi that are vital to post-fire recovery and long-term site productivity, they help retard surface water runoff and help retain and build soil, they help cycle nutrients and water to plants and soil, and snags that fall across streams provide links between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. [3] Indeed, a forest ecologist could argue that for the sake of healthy wildlife and plant populations, fertile soil, and clean water, large-diameter snags and logs are some of the most valuable trees in the forest.