Questions and a note:
How many of the commenters on the "Brazilian forest scam...." have ever
managed a forest? But than again, how many of the SANET commenters are
presently or have over their lifetime continued to manage either forest or
farmland for its betterment? Perhaps, in the Amazon their exist families who
have done so both for farming and forestry purposes. Is there a reason human
management cannot be done for the benefit of humans, the environment and to
sustain consumers and producers? None of this is said to suggest the
selected forest or savanna should not be left in tact for all to appreciate.
NOTE:
Historically, to my reading and observation, two different actions have
occurred in forest management or mismanagement as some may choose to look at
it. In most cases short of Mt St Helens "natural" actions (I suppose humans
interface could also be considered "natural.") most original "climax forest"
were simply burned. This accelerated in the US immediately before the advent
of steam power logging. Forests were burned as needed for settlement
(cities) and charcoal and agriculture. The US Geological Survey books
through the 19th century note the "big burn" progressing from the Applachian
range to the west coast and on to Alaska. Our citizens seem to have been
"spooked" by the massive forest so much they wanted them gone. In some cases
they substituted agriculture, in many cases the forest just burned and second
growth renewed the forests. US citizens purposely destroyed their forests
just as other citizens have apparently done and are no doubt doing now.
Then there is the second action, that of logging. I have yet to meet any
human who does not use forestry products virtually daily in their lives.
Forestry products come from logging as well as other interfaces. There is no
reason sound forest/farm management for the benefit of all sector interest
cannot be developed and implemented. The only drawback is a great deal of
the citizenry remain apathetic, most citizens have no experience in
forest/farm management and the other small part want personal benefits with
out fully considering their responsiblity to other citizens of the present
and future. Someplace, in a little cove of the forest/farmland exist humans
who have spent their life observing, developing ideas on forest/farm
management, implementing those ideas and then revaluating where to observe or
develop next. These we need to find. These we need to listen to.
I, as others certainly would seek sound and consistently better management of
all forest and farmland. When a political act is about to establish a public
policy effecting forest or farm management, I want all the facts related to
making a decision. The original SANET post calling to sign on contained to
my reading virtually no information. SANET seems a good place for
presentation of experiential information.
Best, Eric Kindberg
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