Home / Environment / Drift Logs Devour B.C. Coastal Ecosystems
Drift Logs Devour B.C. Coastal Ecosystems
4 Jan
Summary
- Drift logs drastically reduce barnacle populations on B.C. beaches.
- A 520% increase in drift logs is linked to the logging industry.
- B.C. government shifts to barges to reduce log spills.
A University of Victoria study has identified that common drift logs on British Columbia's shores are responsible for the destruction of vital ocean ecosystems. The constant motion of these logs during tidal changes decimates intertidal zones, significantly reducing barnacle populations, which are a crucial food source for many marine species.
Researchers found a staggering 520% increase in drift logs along the B.C. coast and Haida Gwaii since the late 19th century. A significant portion of this increase is attributed to the logging industry, particularly from log booms that can break apart during storms. This widespread issue affects even remote shorelines.
The B.C. government is addressing the problem by encouraging the forestry sector to use barges instead of log booms for transporting harvested timber. This change is expected to decrease the number of loose logs. Additionally, licensed salvagers are actively collecting stray logs, with a substantial amount recovered annually.
