We have all seen it, you can’t drive down any main arterial in Thurston County without seeing trees, trees and more trees cut down in the name of progress.
Sometimes, you wonder though, when is enough, enough. I don’t think any of us want Thurston County to become a King County (sorry, King County) or worse.
How large do we want Thurston County to become population and business wise? The taxes all this progress brings in are not always a good thing.
We live in Tumwater and we like the smaller type of community that Tumwater is known for, but that is changing also. We understand nothing we say in this column will change what is happening, but we would like to touch on what happens to the wildlife who call these forests their home.
There are many species that depend on forests for shelter, food and breeding. Some species may not survive without specific forest habitat.
The impacts on wildlife and the remaining uncut trees, if any, are often severe and long-lasting. Trees store carbon, regulate water cycles, and support fungi and soil organisms. Clearing trees hurts air quality, increases erosion and may alter local microclimates.
Insects, birds and mammals rely on forest plants for food. With plants no longer, herbivores decline and so do the predators that feed on them. Logging can reduce populations of small mammals, amphibians and other prey species that many raptors rely on. This makes hunting more difficult and energy intensive.
A 5-acre parcel may seem small, but in fragmented landscapes even small forests can be critical habitat for certain species (especially amphibians and native pollinators). Loss of plant diversity also means loss of food and habitat for specialized insects and birds.
Without forest cover, animals are more exposed to predators and harsh weather. Nesting birds and ground-dwelling species become particularly vulnerable.
Animals like deer, cougar, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels and birds may move into nearby forested or semi-natural areas — if they exist. The problem is, it can lead to overcrowding in adjacent habitats, increasing competition for food and shelter, which can reduce survival and reproduction rates.
Wildlife that relies on large, continuous tracts of forest (owls, cougars, some songbirds, etc.) may suffer from fragmentation, reducing gene flow and increasing inbreeding.
Deforestation can directly cause species extinction, with amphibians, small mammals and certain insects among the most affected.
Cutting large parcels of trees has significant negative impacts on birds, especially raptors like owls, eagles and hawks because these species are particularly dependent on mature forests for hunting, nesting and shelter.
Displaced wildlife (coyotes, raccoons, deer, cougars and bears) may move into suburban areas, leading to more vehicle collisions, pet predation and encounters with people.
We see this on a daily basis; reports of dogs and cats missing or killed. Sightings of cougars and coyotes are much more frequent. Predators lose hunting grounds; prey species may either suffer or overpopulate due to lack of predation, and again, more inbreeding.
Unfortunately, small or slow-moving animals may be killed during land clearing. Destruction of nests and dens, such as birds, small mammals and other animals, may lose young during breeding season if the clearing is not timed to avoid it. It’s very important to note the loss of food will eventually reduce the survival rate of many species.
• There are a few mitigating measures, such as:
• Wildlife corridors
• Timing construction outside of breeding seasons
• Retaining buffer zones or mature trees
• Replanting native vegetation
Leaving a patch of trees can help somewhat, but it depends on the size, location and connectivity. If it is large enough to support at least some nesting and foraging, or connected to other forested areas, corridors help wildlife travel safely. But small or isolated patches are often too fragmented to support species.
Sunlight, wind and predators can degrade the quality of these patches, and they may become ecological traps, attracting animals but not providing sufficient resources. For species conservation, preserving large, continuous tracts of mature forests is far more effective, but that is very unlikely to happen in Thurston County.
In closing, we are sorry for feeling so sad about this situation, but hopefully there may be some compromises made in the near future that we can all live with.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” — Albert Einstein
Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn are neighbors and close friends who share their love of animals and wildlife. Trish and Thom are residents of Tumwater. Contact them at pets@theJOLTnews.com.
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DonnaS
Thank you so much for this very insightful article on the impacts of development on our local wildlife. It is heartbreaking to see the remaining green spaces cleared for yet another housing tract. Allen Road SE is a peaceful place to walk with the bird songs and occasional deer. There is now a sign posted that the wooded area that provides habitat will be cleared for 30 new homes. There is a net loss of wildlife that continues at a record pace. While urban sprawl is not a good option, it is sad to have yet more forested areas disappearing. Why not use abandoned areas like the old brewery to build new housing tracts? There are other areas already devoid of life that should be used for new housing. Leave some trees for our wildlife.
4 days ago Report this
kellykelly
Thank you for your article. We need to realize that we are not the only beings that inhabit our county.
4 days ago Report this