What is a consequence of high-grading harvesting practices?

High-grading harvesting practices involve selectively removing the most valuable trees, often focusing on larger, more mature specimens. This approach can lead to the depletion of mature forests over time, as the removal of these key trees disrupts the forest's age structure. Mature trees play vital roles in ecosystems, providing habitat for various species, contributing to carbon storage, and influencing soil and water health.

When mature trees are left unreplenished and not enough younger trees are allowed to grow, it can create an imbalance in forest composition, reduce overall forest health, and diminish the natural regeneration capacity of the ecosystem. Over time, this results in a decline in forest cover and biodiversity, as younger trees that can replace the old growth may not be promoted under these harvesting practices. This depletion of mature forests not only affects the specific habitat dynamics within those forests but can also have broader environmental implications, such as increased soil erosion and reduced water quality.