The potential impacts of wood harvesting of bush thickening species on biodiversity and ecological processes.

Title: The potential impacts of wood harvesting of bush thickening species on biodiversity and ecological processes. Authors: Joubert, David F.; Zimmermann, Ibo Abstract: Studies of the effects of bush clearing have mostly focussed on economic issues such as production. In this paper, biodiversity and ecological effects of bush clearing were investigated, largely through a literature survey. Vertebrate and plant taxa were focussed upon. Two future scenarios were discussed. The first scenario was that future wood harvesting would follow Forestry Stewardship Council Principles and Forestry Guidelines. The second scenario was that demand exceeded supply and that sound sustainable principles would be abandoned in certain areas, in order to chase demand. In the first scenario, biodiversity would be improved, as would ecological processes. In the second scenario, arboreal species, including cavity users, and species requiring microhabitats and shelter would be badly affected, with local extinctions of these species likely. Management recommendations are provided. Biodiversity research should be viewed as a priority, in order to better understand the effects of different wood harvesting management strategies. Description: This paper was presented at the National Forestry Research Workshop held in Windhoek.