UBC research blames bigger floods on clear-cutting, calls for more selective logging

The amount of flooding ‘depends dramatically’ on physical characteristics of a watershed that loses its trees, UBC professor says

Reducing clear-cut logging and paying more attention to where trees are removed will help reduce the flood risk in British Columbia, a researcher says.

Alila said in an interview that while larger, intact watersheds are more effective in protecting against, including by helping shade snow and slow its melt, where trees are removed also plays a critical role in how clear-cutting has increased floods. “The bottom line is, the only way we can appreciate the power of the forest in mitigating against the flood risk is to step back and make sure we look at cumulative effects within the watershed,” Alila said.He said current logging practices in the province can lead to snow melt being accelerated in some parts of a watershed and coincide with other areas melting.

Now that the research shows how sensitive the watersheds can be to clear-cut logging, Alila said he thinks it’s “about time we take a very serious look” at reducing the amount of clear-cutting in favour of ecosystem-friendly alternatives such as thinning and selecting individual trees for harvest while saving smaller trees.

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