A state is considering opening an area of old-growth forest on state land to logging. Officials debate the best way to log the forest. I. One official advocates for clear-cutting one-hectare plots in the middle of every twenty hectares of the intact old-growth forest. The official says that this pattern will maximize biodiversity in the area while still allowing for the harvesting of timber. Explain how this pattern could produce more biodiversity than the old-growth forest alone.

Question

Advanced Placement (AP)

Kendra Phelps

3 September, 13:25

A state is considering opening an area of old-growth forest on state land to logging. Officials debate the best way to log the forest. I. One official advocates for clear-cutting one-hectare plots in the middle of every twenty hectares of the intact old-growth forest. The official says that this pattern will maximize biodiversity in the area while still allowing for the harvesting of timber. Explain how this pattern could produce more biodiversity than the old-growth forest alone.

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Answers (1)

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Londyn Meyers · Answer 1

Old Growth Forests hold many wildlife species, so they are fundamental for biodiversity.

Explanation:

Clear-cutting is the process of removing all trees from an area in one cutting, and it endangers biodiversity by leaving behind a worthless habitat for wildlife and plant species.

The official's proposal could protect and even benefit biodiversity while still allowing the harvesting of timber.