N.S. report calls for restrictions on clearcutting, ‘ecological forestry’
HALIFAX — A new review of Nova Scotia’s forestry practices is calling for fundamental changes to the way trees are harvested in the province.
The report by University of Kings College president Bill Lahey says forest practices should be guided by a new paradigm called “ecological forestry” which treats forests “first and foremost” as ecosystems.
Lahey says the controversial practice of clearcutting would be acceptable in some even-aged forests of predominantly single softwood species.
However, Lahey says alternatives to clearcutting should generally be used where the forest is of the mixed-species, multi-aged variety.