Recent controversy concerning post-fire logging in Oregon is emblematic of the problems of “salvage logging” globally (1). Although tree regeneration after disturbances in forested areas is important (2–4), a narrow view of this issue ignores important ecological lessons, especially the role of disturbances in diversifying and rejuvenating landscapes. Scientific advances in recent decades demonstrate that disturbances are not catastrophes, trees in these landscapes are not wasted if they are not harvested, and post-fire logging is not forest restoration (5).
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DellaSala et al. (2006) studied this question.
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