The Depletion of Natural Resources - Essay Example

The Depletion of Natural Resources Introduction The paper, ‘Pioneer and climax tree regeneration following selective logging with silviculture in Suriname’ by M. Dekker and N. R. de Graaf is highly relevant for the contemporary times when the environmental concern has become a major issue. The authors have made concerted efforts to study the impact of logging in the rain forest area of Suriname. The depletion of natural resources like tree disturbs the ecosystem and significantly impacts the population dynamics of forest species. This research paper discusses the results of study conducted in 2000 on the occurrence of pioneer and climax trees under increased disturbance that had started 20 years back due to logging and silviculture refinement. Density of palms and lianas were also recorded as they were observed to have different behaviour than that of the dicotyledonous trees. Summary The study was conducted under the original site of 78/5 experiment that was conducted in 1978 at Tonka research site in Suriname that is located within the Kabo creek, comprising of rain forest area. The region had around 197 species with 37 of them having great commercial value. In 1978, three levels of exploitation and three levels of silviculture refinements were tested and replicated three times. Virgin forest plots or VFPs were also setup in three replications using different compartments. The replications were carried out in nine compartments comprising of 1 ha assessment plot which was further divided into ten subplots. The exploitation levels were coded as E14, E23, and E46 where logging took place. E46 saw excessive logging which was considered non acceptable. Silviculture levels were coded as S0, S18 and S14 where unwanted trees. In the heavy refinement area, cutting of unwanted trees was accompanied by climber cutting and poison girdling of non commercial trees. The current study took a small part of original experimental area comprising of three compartments per replication along with 3 VFP compartments, totalling 60 subplots. Density of 8 selected tree species was studies on the basis of 20% Random sampling of 100 plots. Species were selected for their adaptability to sunlight and shade. Vegetation layer of 3-10 m was opted because they were bested suited as test subjects. Using various statistical and non statistical measurements like forest class, ANOVA, t and chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis and Wilicoxon signal tests were used to test the hypothesis. Mortality was higher in heavy exploitation and treatment region. Climax trees are not much affected wit treatments while the density of palm and liana showed wide disparity. Main argument The main argument of the studies has maintained that gap created by the logging significantly impacts the species diversity and replication processes in the rain forests. When large numbers of trees are cut in small area of the forest, large gaps are created. Thus when the clusters of gap are repeatedly disturbed, growing light would adversely impact the richness of the species many of which might just be requiring only moderate sunlight. Research questions 1. Have the pioneer species gained terrain after most intensive treatments? 2. What are the effects of treatments on palms and lianas? Critique of author’s work and explanation whether his conclusions are justified In Suriname, Celos Silviculture System or CSS was developed by De Graaf and others in 1986. CSS broadly defines the cost effective methodology of growing marketable wood in the previously exploited neo tropical region. The study had used CSS to test the hypothesis. Indeed, the authors’ conclusions are justified because the use of CSS (Celos Silviclture System) in the study showed that positive results with regeneration of primary rain forest structure. Pioneer species of trees grew and natural heterogeneity was resilient to disturbance when treated under CSS format. The short felling cycle of 20-30 years gives huge leverage to commercial use of forest wood which can be regenerated to maintain the ecosystem. At the same time, the methodology greatly promotes the sustainable development and maintenance of diverse species and richness of forest resources. The use of 3-10m of vegetation enforced the importance of micro climate that has significant impact on the species diversity and is a strong determinant of their composition. The measurement also eliminated the seedlings and matured trees and gave lot of time for demographic processes to take place. Hence choosing this measurement was able to show the effect on forest resources after 20 years. The use of forest class served as indicator to the general disturbance and various statistical tools ensured reduction of bias in testing the hypothesis While not much effect of treatments were observed in pioneer and climax trees, there was slight difference in density of the two. Climax trees were more than pioneer trees in all the replication processes thus concurring with earlier research of Jonkers (1987). The medium treatments showed the best results. The heavy treatments with heavy exploitation showed regressing impact as they regenerating saplings were exposed to greater sunlight and therefore were destroyed during harvesting. The abundance of climax trees confirmed that micro climate is maintained which helps the primary forest species to regenerate. The authors have quoted the study of Huth and Ditzer (2001) who had asserted that conventional logging on short felling cycle promotes regeneration of pioneer species. But the application of CSS methodology hugely differs and gives impetus to regeneration of natural heterogeneity of forest resources and prevents them against regression into secondary forest. Justification and explanation of my point The CSS methodology is highly critical component of commercial logging of rain forest. The use of celos silviculture intervention helps the forest management processes to maintain the forest composition, diversity, structure and dynamics. It promotes sustainable development of forest region through regeneration and helps maintain the ecosystem. Indeed, the use of CSS in the Suriname is a case in point where commercial logging could also promote sustainable development which was amply justified by the experiment. The gradual depletion of the natural resources through deforestation became responsible for the slow death of the plants and animals which were interdependent on each other. Lack of trees and plants is also one of the main reasons for barren land because the loose soil tends to blow away the seeds, saplings and essential minerals which are prerequisite for fertile land. The forest with its tall trees also protects the species from natural catastrophes like storms and hurricanes. Indeed, the authors’ conclusions are justified and give great hope for sustainable forest management processes. (1061) Reference Dekker, M and de Graaf, N R. (2003). Pioneer and climax tree regeneration following selective logging with silviculture in Suriname. Forest Ecology and Management, 172, 183-190. Jonkers, W B J. (). Vegetaion structure, logging damage and silviculture in a tropical rain forest in Suriname. PhD Thesis. Wageningen University, Netherland. Huth, A. and Ditzer, T. (2001). Long term impact of logging in a tropical rain forest – a simulation study. Forest Ecology Management, 142, 33-51. Read More