PUBLIC NOTICE!

The debate over old growth has been presented as good versus evil: beautiful old forests or barren clearcuts. But forests are in a conslant state of change. North American fbrests f-ace large natural disturbances such as fire or disease on a regular basis-which is simply to say that a forest set aside as old growth usually won't be old growth forever. The process is cyclical, not a one-way street that leads either to the pert-ect forest or permanent forest loss.

Old grorvth is a complex subject, partly because there is no universal definition:

' Age - As a popular term, "old growth" describes trees that are big and old, usually older than 200 years. Scientifically, it means trees that have reached the age of maturity, which may be 50 years for alder or 500 years fbr redwood.

Characteristics - To many people, this is more important than age. Old growth characteristics include standing dead trees big enough for cavity nesting birds, fallen dead trees as habitat fbr insects, fungi and small animals, and a fully developed diversity of plants, shrubs and trees. In some types of forest (like coastal Douglas fir), these features may appear afterjust 70 years.

Old growth forests provide important habitat, are beautiful and (where fires are infrequent) may live to be centuries old. However, it is equally true that young forests provide important habitat. are beautiful and contribute to our material needs. I believe that a sensible environmentalist would suppofi a balance of both these types across the forest landscape.

- Dr. Putrick Moore has been a leader of the environmental movement for more than 30 years. A co-.founder and Jormer president ol Greenpeace, he holds a PhD in ecolog,t' and a BSc in .fbrest biology. Send qLtastions to patri< k@ sensibleenvironmentalist.r'ont.

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