Attempts to save the world's remaining tropical rainforests often focus on conserving specific protected areas or prohibiting the harvesting of rare species. This study from Malaysia focuses on another approach - improving the efficiency and effectiveness of logging companies. The researchers found a Catch-22 situation in which an increase in both harvesting rates and the number of trees left standing led to more environmental damage. In response, the researchers make a number of suggestions for regulatory and technological improvements that would allow logging companies to overcome this problem and improve their environmental performance.
A Kinder Cut: Making Malaysian Logging Less Destructive
by Mohd. Shahwahid Haji Othman & Awang Noor Abdul Ghani