Commercial Timber Logging Threatens BIODIVERSITY By Diana Tapedzanyika
N
atural forests have been an integral part of humanity since time immemorial because of the numerous ecosystem services they offer for the existence of humankind. Its major interest is the providing of raw material in the manufacturing industry. Timber harvesting has always been practiced on a small scale mostly for domestic purposes. However, over the years, the coming in of industrialization and globalization has resulted in the increase in trade. The globalized trade has increased markets which resulted in the demand for timber products especially round wood. The round wood has become the major drive for deforestation of natural forests through logging and land clearing for the expansion of plantation forests in order to meet demand for timber. The demand in round wood is estimated to reach six million cubic by 2050. This means that more forest areas will be lost to timber harvesting and clearing for the expansion of industrial plantations. Timber harvesting in general has negative impacts on the environment and biodiversity. However, commercial timber harvesting causes more impacts because it is done on a large scale and involves a lot of activities. The impact and extent on biodiversity loss varies significantly depending on the geographic variability, type of harvesting system (clear cut or selective cutting) being applied in that area and the technology being used. Commercial harvesting involves the felling and extraction of timber using heavy equipment such as skidders, teleloggers, and tractors. It also involves the clearing of land for the creation of roads for accessibility and landings where logs are kept before transportation. Other indirect impacts of timber harvesting include noise from equipment such as chainsaws and saw mills, oil spillages and fuel leaks from machinery. All these disturb the ecosystem functions. Natural forests harbour the greatest
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