tic organisms. “In Alaska, salmonpopulations are at record high levels in most areas. This is because most of the areashave excellent habitat. It is not a coincidence that the only stream in Alaska, on EtolinIsland, where pre-spawning mortality is a serious problem was clear-cut logged”(Espinosa ). Also, the cutting down of the most valuable species such asPonderosa Pine, which are the most, fire-adapted trees, increases the chance forcatastrophic fire. The branches on the Ponderosa Pine start very high up, so firesspreading do not ignite these trees. But when clear-cut logging occurs, Lodge PolePine replaces the Ponderosa Pine in very dense stands increasing the chances for firesto catch and become catastrophic.There are several reasons why clear-cut, selective, and salvage loggingtechniques have been used. A few include: the economic benefit, the increase inforest health, an the maximum production of wood fiber for its many uses. Althoughclear-cut logging may provide economic benefits, we now see why it is so detrimentalto the environment. Even though here in the Southwest the economy outweighs theecosystem, everyday the ecosystem is catches up a little bit to the economy. It is ourjob as a nation to ensure that future generations can enjoy a beautiful forest and awonderful wildlife to go with it....
