A state is considering opening an area of old-growth forest on state land to logging. Officials debate the best way to log the forest. 1. One official advocates for clear-cutting one-hectare plots in the middle of every twenty hectares of the intact old-growth forest. The official says that this pattern will maximize biodiversity in the area while still allowing for the harvesting of timber. Explain how this pattern could produce more biodiversity than the old-growth forest alone.

Clearcutting pros: It creates wide, open spaces with lots of sun exposure. This allows the most sunlight to reach tree seedlings that require full-sun conditions to thrive. ... Clearcutting is the most efficient and economical method of harvesting a large group of trees.

Explanation:

Conditions for which clear-cutting can be used as a harvesting tool include:

Regenerating tree species that need full sunlight to stimulate seed sprouting and seedling growth.

Dealing with sparse, exposed, or shallow-rooted trees in danger of being damaged by wind.

Trying to produce an even-aged stand.

Regenerating stands of tree species dependent on wind-blown seed, or cones that need fire to drop seed.

over-mature stands and/or stands killed by insects, disease, or fire.

Converting to another tree species by planting or seeding.

Providing habitat for wildlife species that require an edge, new ground, and "high-density, even-aged stands."