Logging for paper and wood across the tropics accounts for 13% of deforestation. When you see this statistic, it’s no wonder why logging has a bad reputation.
But the truth is, not all logging is bad. In fact, it comes with some clear advantages that we shouldn’t ignore.
What is logging anyway? And what are the benefits that can come from it? Read on to find out!
What Is Logging?
First of all, let’s define logging. Logging is the act of not just cutting down trees, but also skidding and loading them to take away.
Often, logging is performed to create products, such as timber, pulp, paper, etc. By repurposing this cut wood, it gives it a second life instead of being thrown away. So this is already one benefit!
Logging Benefits
Now you might be wondering about the other good things that come with logging. Here are some of the major ones.
Better Safety
Trees go through a natural process where they start as seedlings, grow to be strong trees, then die. Once they’re dead, trees can become weak, and anything from wind to rain can cause them to fall unpredictably. If this happens, then structures (such as your house or highway) and other things can become destroyed or blocked.
Logging allows us to go in with the proper logging equipment (read more about them here) and remove these dead and weak trees before they pose a danger to both us and wildlife.
Logging can also decrease the chances of forest fires, which again, can be dangerous for both humans and animals. In the process of logging, this makes it harder for fire to spread from tree to tree, which can make all the difference when it comes to a small contained fire and a big uncontrollable one.
It Improves Tree Health
We’ve just mentioned above that logging can thin out trees in an area. This, in turn, prevents overcrowding, and as a result, all the trees can get proper air circulation and sunlight.
In addition, logging can remove bacteria and fungi from the area by eliminating dead and diseased trees. This can improve the overall health of the remaining trees.
As a side benefit, logging not only improves tree health, but also helps undergrowth (the vegetation that grows underneath the trees). The local wildlife will eat this undergrowth, so this provides a nutritious food source for them. Plus, once the undergrowth dies, it gives nutrients to the soil, which helps the trees grow stronger and encourages more vegetation growth.
Logging Can Be Good
Now you know the answer to the question, “what is logging?” While logging might have a bad reputation, as you can see, there are some undeniable logging advantages.
The next time someone speaks out against logging, now you know some pertinent information to dispel these myths and help logging not have such a bad rep.
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