On March 1, President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the immediate expansion of American timber production.
Within the executive order, it’s said that increased production of timber, lumber, paper, bioenergy and other wood products is critical to the well-being of the U.S.
“Our inability to fully exploit our domestic timber supply has impeded the creation of jobs and prosperity, contributed to wildfire disasters, degraded fish and wildlife habitats, increased the cost of construction and energy, and threatened our economic security,” reads the executive order.
How logging and the timber industry affect Louisiana’s environment and ecosystems
While the executive order expresses the need to increase timber production and logging efforts for the good of the U.S., the lumber industry has contributed to a number of negative consequences within Louisiana’s ecosystems.
The logging industry in Louisiana has had significant impacts, both economically and environmentally. However, while the forest industry is a top contributor to Louisiana’s economy, it has led to substantial tree-cover loss and other environmental consequences.
The forest industry has contributed billions to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supports numerous jobs. Forestry and logging are also particularly important within rural areas in Louisiana, as the timber industry is a major employer and economic driver, according to LSU AgCenter.
However, Louisiana’s timber industry has led to deforestation, soil salinity and land loss, habitat loss and fragmentation, impacted water quality, larger populations of invasive species, as well as climate change, according to USDA Climate Hubs.
Louisiana forestry
Regarding deforestation due to logging, Louisiana has experienced significant tree-cover loss since 2000, including a substantial decrease in natural forest area. This has led to habitat loss and fragmentation, which impacts biodiversity and wildlife populations.
Habitat and biodiversity disturbance from logging can then create opportunities for invasive species to take hold and further disrupt Louisiana’s ecosystems.
Deforestation also contributes to climate change by reducing carbon sinks and releasing stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, according to Global Forest Watch.
Additionally, due to the timber industry, Louisiana has been experiencing soil salinity issues moving inland, which affects forests and can potentially lead to the loss of workable land.
Logging can also lead to erosion, which can wash away nutrients and negatively impact water quality in streams and rivers, according to Sierra Forest Legacy.
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: How is logging and the timber industry affecting Louisiana ecosystems?