| Nature: Common assumptions about the ecological benefits of 'salvage' logging following forest fires are wrong, according to a study of the aftermath of a 2002 fire in Oregon. Culling any remaining timber after a forest fire is sometimes thought to be good for forests, because it removes dead trees that might spark future fires, and because it clears the ground for more seedlings to grow. But these ideas aren't backed up by the facts, says Dan Donato, a forest ecologist from Oregon State ... |
