“We risk reducing natural ecosystems to one metric…"
TLDR Planting one species of tree instead of an ecosystem of multiple species of native trees is not a good idea.

  • shalafi@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    mandate that all trees that are lumbered must be replaced 1:1 with saplings of the same species

    Been awhile since I studied forestry and took fields trips, but is that not exactly what they do? Lumber companies are sustainable, if they we’re replacing 1:1, they would be out of business in a generation or two.

    I see it in the South with pines, everywhere I go. Consistently sized groups of trees, consistent density. You can tell what stage they’re all at.

    Oh! I think I get you. But I’m not aware of any modern companies whacking down diverse forests. They’ve been monoculture forever.

    • Adalast@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      There are many that own and manage monoculture lands to ensure steady output, but they also own old growth as backups just in case something happens to the monocultures. Also, and this is 100% rectally sourced, new logging companies do start and not all of them can inherit a monoculture from some other company. And yeah, monocultures could do with some mixing up, but I was only requiring for new cuts.