TPO 14-integ

Both the reading and lecture discuss possible solutions to address the problems caused by forest fires and intense storms in the northeastern United States. The reading claims that a beneficial way called salvage logging is to extract dead trees from forests. However, the lecturer finds all the ideas dubious and presents some evidence to refute them all.

First, the author holds the view that it takes long times for dead trees to decompose and back to the soil. In this case, there would not be enough space for new trees to thrive. On the contrary, the professor brings up the idea that cleaning up forests does not provide proper space for growth of new plants. Also, she states that leaving dead trees as they are makes the soil a suitable rich environment for local vegetation in long term.

Furthermore, the reading argues that salvage logging reduce the number of harmful insects like spruce bark beetle that are caused by eroded woods. In contrast, the lecturer dismisses the issue due to the fact that not only spruce bark beetle benefits form dead trees, but also other animals and insects do. As a result, it is useful for the ecosystem to take advantages of decaying woods.

Last but not least, the passage asserts that economic benefits such as industrial application and job opportunities for local residents are the other merits of salvage logging. Conversely, the professor underlines the fact that carrying huge amounts of lumbers from the forest to factories are quiet expensive. In addition, she mentions that workers must be trained people which can be found hardly among local residents and if so, it would be a temporarily job.