As scientists who have spent decades studying forest ecosystems and the effects of climate change, we believe that it is essential to start protecting carbon storage in these forests. In our view, there is ample scientific evidence to justify an immediate moratorium on logging mature and old-growth forests on federal lands.
The battle to protect Arizonaâs remaining old growth ponderosa pines has flared again with a dispute about a timber sale on the Kaibab National Forest â with implications for forest restoration efforts statewide.
The tense exchange of complaints and explanations centered on the removal of thousands of fire-resistant trees greater than 24 inches in diameter as part of the Jacob Ryan Project. A forest supervisorâs suggestion that the removal of the old-growth trees reduced fire damage in a recent wildfire provoked a furious response from environmentalists.
The dispute threatens to unravel an agreement to focus on removing the smaller trees that now choke the forest, after a century of logging, cattle grazing and fire suppression.