Intact forests mitigate atmospheric increases in greenhouse gases and are among the largest global carbon sinks, whereas poorly managed forests and deforested areas can become significant sources of greenhouse gases with the potential to accelerate global warming.
The most important conservation impact of timber harvesting is the attendant loss of biological and genetic diversity. It is quite clear, felling substantial areas of forest will result in loss of species.
The adverse effect caused by the operations of forest industries include loss of biodiversity, migration of wildlife, ecological imbalance, soil erosion, flooding, desert encroachment and disruption in hydrological cycle of water catchment area.
The removal of forest cover during logging has in some instances resulted in the scarcity or out-right extinction of many important plant and animal species.
Organic matter removal and soil compaction are key disturbances associated with forest harvesting. The road construction which occurs during logging operations leads to compacted soils, disturbed organic layers, and excessive rates of soil erosion.
Soil compaction also reduces the oxygen and water available to vegetation and has a significant detrimental effect on microorganisms found in the soil.
Logging operations can greatly impact the connectivity of habitat and lead to a fragmented forest which leaves many species on an island and unable to migrate from an ideal feeding ground to their denning locations for example.
Water quality and yield are also affected by tree harvesting. Flooding seems to increase as result of broad - scale deforestation in catchment zones.
Impact of timber harvesting on forest ecosystem
