In an old growth redwood forest once heavily logged in 1968, the Redwoods Rising project, led by the National Park Service and Save the Redwoods League, seeks to rejuvenate the ecosystem. Using chainsaws, prescribed fires, and thinning techniques, the project aims to mimic healthy young redwood forests, combating the consequences of past logging. By fostering vigorous tree growth and creating fire-resistant spacing, the restored forests are envisioned to withstand climate change challenges. Redwoods, vital carbon stores, are threatened by droughts and wildfires. While some critics question the thinning approach, experts emphasize the importance of ecological restoration to secure these iconic forests’ future.
Prelims pointer
- Redwoods Rising: A restoration initiative by the National Park Service and Save the Redwoods League to create resilient old growth redwood forests, employing thinning and prescribed fire techniques.
- Old Growth Redwood Forest: Mature, untouched redwood forests with towering trees and complex ecosystems, historically endangered by extensive logging.
- Carbon Sequestration: The process through which trees, especially tall redwoods, absorb and store carbon dioxide, helping mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon levels.
- Drought and Wildfires: Environmental stressors fueled by climate change, affecting redwood forests by causing water stress and increasing wildfire risks.
- Marbled Murrelet: An endangered oceangoing bird nesting in redwood branches, facing threats from logging and wildfires, emphasizing the importance of restoring redwood ecosystems for biodiversity.
