Editing Clearcutting (section)

===Positive perspectives===
Clearcutting can be practiced to encourage the growth and proliferation of tree species that require high [[shade tolerance|light intensity]].<ref>Belt, Kevin and Campbell, Robert (1999). [http://ahc.caf.wvu.edu/joomla/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=148&func=startdown&id=247 "The Clearcutting Controversy - Myths and Facts."] West Virginia University Extension Service. Accessed 2011-12-12.</ref> Generally, a harvest area wider than double the height of the adjacent trees will no longer be subject to the moderating influence of the woodland on the [[microclimate]].<ref name="Dovetail">{{cite journal | author = Dr. J. Bowyer | author2 = K. Fernholz | author3 = A. Lindburg | author4 = Dr. J. Howe | author5 = Dr. S. Bratkovich | title = The Power of Silviculture: Employing Thinning, Partial Cutting Systems and Other Intermediate Treatments to Increase Productivity, Forest Health and Public Support for Forestry | publisher = Dovetail Partners Inc. | date = 2009-05-28 | url = http://dovetailinc.org/files/DovetailSilvics0509.pdf | access-date = 2009-06-06 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101029212926/http://dovetailinc.org/files/DovetailSilvics0509.pdf | archive-date = 2010-10-29 }}</ref> The width of the harvest area can thus determine which species will come to dominate. Those with high tolerance to extremes in [[temperature]], [[Water content|soil moisture]], and resistance to [[Browsing (predation)|browsing]] may be established, in particular [[secondary succession]]al [[pioneer species]].{{cn|date=July 2023}}

Clearcutting can be used by [[forester]]s as a method of mimicking a natural [[Disturbance (ecology)|disturbance]] and increasing [[Ecological succession|primary successional]] species, such as [[Populus|poplar]] ([[aspen]]), [[willow]] and [[Prunus serotina|black cherry]] in [[North America]]. Clearcutting has also proved to be effective in creating animal habitat and browsing areas, which otherwise would not exist without natural stand-replacing disturbances such as [[wildfire]]s, large scale [[windthrow]], or [[avalanche]]s.

Clearcuts are used to help regenerate species that cannot compete in mature forests. A number of them are aspen, jack pine, and, in areas with poor soils, oaks—are important species for both game and nongame wildlife species. Clearcutting can also lead to increased vascular-plant diversity in the area. This is most pronounced after a couple years of clearcutting and in herb-rich forests where scarification took place.<ref name="Pykälä, J. 2004"/>

No significant changes in water temperature were observed when patch clearcutting was done {{convert|100|ft|abbr=on}} away from a river. This suggests that patch clearcutting is a possible solution to concerns about changes in water temperature due to clearcutting. The effects of clearcutting on soil nutrient content were not examined in this study.<ref>Brown, G. W., & Krygier, J. T. (1970). Effects of clear-cutting on stream temperature. Water resources research, 6(4), 1133–1139.</ref>

More recently, forest managers have found that clearcutting oak stands helps regenerate oak forests in areas of poor soil. The tree canopies in oak forests often shade out the ground, making it impossible for newly sprouted oaks to grow. When the mature trees are removed, the saplings stand a chance of recruiting into the forest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10366_46403_59160-215632--,00.html|title=DNR - DNR|website=www.michigan.gov}}</ref>