The Effects of Selective Logging Behaviors on Forest Fragmentation and Recovery

To study the impacts of selective logging behaviors on a forest landscape, we developed an intermediate-scale spatial model to link cross-scale interactions of timber harvesting, a fine-scale human activity, with coarse-scale landscape impacts. We used the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model with Hol...

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Main Authors: Xanic J. Rondon, Graeme S. Cumming, Rosa E. Cossío, Jane Southworth
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:International Journal of Forestry Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/170974
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author Xanic J. Rondon
Graeme S. Cumming
Rosa E. Cossío
Jane Southworth
author_facet Xanic J. Rondon
Graeme S. Cumming
Rosa E. Cossío
Jane Southworth
author_sort Xanic J. Rondon
collection DOAJ
description To study the impacts of selective logging behaviors on a forest landscape, we developed an intermediate-scale spatial model to link cross-scale interactions of timber harvesting, a fine-scale human activity, with coarse-scale landscape impacts. We used the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model with Holling’s functional response II to simulate selective logging, coupled with a cellular automaton model to simulate logger mobility and forest fragmentation. Three logging scenarios were simulated, each varying in timber harvesting preference and logger mobility. We quantified forest resilience by evaluating (1) the spatial patterns of forest fragmentation, (2) the time until the system crossed a threshold into a deforested state, and (3) recovery time. Our simulations showed that logging behaviors involving decisions made about harvesting timber and mobility can lead to different spatial patterns of forest fragmentation. They can, together with forest management practices, significantly delay or accelerate the transition of a forest landscape to a deforested state and its return to a recovered state. Intermediate-scale models emerge as useful tools for understanding cross-scale interactions between human activities and the spatial patterns that are created by anthropogenic land use.
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spelling doaj-art-d39f99c442ec471c8a1dcef083f1c8fa2025-08-20T03:24:12ZengWileyInternational Journal of Forestry Research1687-93681687-93762012-01-01201210.1155/2012/170974170974The Effects of Selective Logging Behaviors on Forest Fragmentation and RecoveryXanic J. Rondon0Graeme S. Cumming1Rosa E. Cossío2Jane Southworth3Percy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South AfricaPercy FitzPatrick Institute, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South AfricaSchool of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USADepartment of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USATo study the impacts of selective logging behaviors on a forest landscape, we developed an intermediate-scale spatial model to link cross-scale interactions of timber harvesting, a fine-scale human activity, with coarse-scale landscape impacts. We used the Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model with Holling’s functional response II to simulate selective logging, coupled with a cellular automaton model to simulate logger mobility and forest fragmentation. Three logging scenarios were simulated, each varying in timber harvesting preference and logger mobility. We quantified forest resilience by evaluating (1) the spatial patterns of forest fragmentation, (2) the time until the system crossed a threshold into a deforested state, and (3) recovery time. Our simulations showed that logging behaviors involving decisions made about harvesting timber and mobility can lead to different spatial patterns of forest fragmentation. They can, together with forest management practices, significantly delay or accelerate the transition of a forest landscape to a deforested state and its return to a recovered state. Intermediate-scale models emerge as useful tools for understanding cross-scale interactions between human activities and the spatial patterns that are created by anthropogenic land use.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/170974
spellingShingle Xanic J. Rondon
Graeme S. Cumming
Rosa E. Cossío
Jane Southworth
The Effects of Selective Logging Behaviors on Forest Fragmentation and Recovery
International Journal of Forestry Research
title The Effects of Selective Logging Behaviors on Forest Fragmentation and Recovery
title_full The Effects of Selective Logging Behaviors on Forest Fragmentation and Recovery
title_fullStr The Effects of Selective Logging Behaviors on Forest Fragmentation and Recovery
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of Selective Logging Behaviors on Forest Fragmentation and Recovery
title_short The Effects of Selective Logging Behaviors on Forest Fragmentation and Recovery
title_sort effects of selective logging behaviors on forest fragmentation and recovery
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/170974
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