What is happening as a result of salvage logging?

Salvage logging is the act of logging companies going out and salvaging trees that have not be completely burned down. There can be devastating problems to the area that can result from trails that are made by big heavy machinery and dragging logs through the forest. This is going to affect things like soil compaction and sediment in streams because of the heavy machinery, along with removing still standing trees which contributes to ground cover. Areas where sediment is increased, there are increased chances of flooding. Sediment also can damage fish and animal habitats. Altering the environmental and removing from it is going to change the forests ability to regrow because it uses these dead parts of it to create new life. With increased soil compaction, it is going to be harder for plants to regrow in these areas. Read the rest of the article here.

Credit: Image courtesy of Michigan Technological University