Topic 9.4: Effects of Logging on Rates of Forest Recovery

The rates of recovery of forest carbon and timber stocks after selective logging are influenced by the intensity of harvests but also by the care with which harvesting was carried out. Due to the combination of impacts on soils and residual stands discussed in previous sections, even lightly logged forests can be extremely slow to recover even after a light selective harvest (Figure 9.4.1).

Figure 9.4.1. Above-ground biomass (AGB) in a forest in Amazonian Brazil subjected to conventional logging (red line with triangles), reduced-impact logging (green line with squares), and maintained as an unlogged control (blue line with diamonds). From West et al. 2014. Forest Ecology and Management.