In regards to Mr. Centano's comments that: < In the USA forests cover 30% of the land. But, excluding Alaska, old-growth native forests have been reduced to less than 5% of the national surface. And they are under dramatic pressures, which have polarized extensive sectors of the society.> Numerous American environmental groups have consistently used the figure that only 5% of the native forests are remaining in the US. I have never seen any scientific studies that they have referenced for this figure. Rather they have simply used this figure for so long that they actually believe that it is true. While I certainly agree that there is a need to reforest the Earth, the 1994 Annual Timber Sale Report by the US Forest Service shows that net growth on its interior forestlands exceeds net removal by a factor of nearly 3 to 1. That is, in the 1980's, there was less than 450 million cubic feet removed by harvest, yet the growth rates were nearly 1.5 billion cubic feet. This report can be accessed at the USFS Web site. Martin Desmond http://www.forestnet.com
Mail converted by
MHonArc 1.1.0