Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:34:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: mphorn22
Subject: forests
Just 3 things re the flurry of posts regarding forests:
1. I repeat: given a forest with lots of large trees and lots of small saplings and tinder, which will ignite with a match more quickly? Try it! Use the scientific aspect of your mind. You’ll find that a match with NOT ignite the large trees. It will ignite the tinder (small flakes, dry pine needles, dry leaves) the quickest. It will ignite small saplings if dry; with continued fire they will burn up faster. Obviously, a full-fledged forest fire once started and especially when it has become a wild-fire, will ignite and burn large trees as well. HOWEVER, contrary to what the GW Bush administration spouted on TV, logging forests as opposed to clearing out tinder and small saplings, is NOT a prevention to future forest fires. Interestingly, the year directly following Bush’s spouting, logging was done on at least one forest in California, and fires started not long after.
Of course lightning will start fires, but not always. I’m just giving an illustration that anyone can try for themselves…. learning can and should occur at any age, not just in elementary or middle school age.
2. Large forested areas are just as important to the habitat of wild animals as “Old Forests”, meaning, containing trees of at least 6′ in diameter. Old forests are rare on this continent. Just because current forests in NC aren’t considered old forests doesn’t mean that we can hew them down willy nilly. Even the single-species pine forests provide shelter for birds and animals. They still exude oxygen for animals and us, and absorb carbon dioxide that we exhale.
Analogy: “Old Forests” = Senior citizens of advanced age. “Current Forests” = adults. You who are classified as adults are just as important as those who are considered senior citizens. We all of us have something to give to this country and world, if we but choose to do so.
3. My electricity post referral was NOT Dogwood Alliance. It was the Daily Kos (whoever they are).
– Maryphyllis