Important academic studies suggest that forestry practices in widespread use in the U.S. are “sustainable forestry” practices in name only, and conservation efforts that actually work to preserve the future of biodiversity require a much more stringent curtailment of logging activity (Summerville, 2002). Eastern U.S. forested states commonly practice diameter-limit and selection harvesting, in which the largest trees in a riparian buffer are removed (Keeton, et al (2007)). These practices are generally employed toward the goal of maintaining continuous forest cover rather than on maintaining the structural attributes known to enhance the quality of wildlife habitat. According to (Keeton, et al (2007)), diameter-limit and selection harvesting actually thwart the development of forest characteristics that contribute to ecosystem health, including the recruitment of in-stream large woody debris and the formation of pools.
MAGIC Alliance believes that Maryland and the rest of the United States should go further, and stop logging our state forests altogether.