Oak Clearcutting

To Cut or Not to Cut

Author:	Thomas A. Davis Biology Program Loras College tom.davis@loras.edu
Abstract:	The topic of this debate case, developed for a course in “Issues in Environmental Biology,” is clear-cutting, a controversial method of harvesting and regenerating trees in which all trees are cleared from a site. Students debate the issue, assuming the roles of various stakeholders, including landowners, loggers, state foresters, soil conservation specialists, deer control specialists, and tree farm owners. After the debate, each student in the class must write an opinion paper on whether to clear-cut or not and give reasons that support their decision.
Objectives:	Diiscuss both sides of a contemporary environmental issue. Understand how science is involved in producing data and information that is vital to making a decision. Write essay defending a position. See how the scientific method, equipment, data, and its results are used to solve everyday environmental problems. Interpret scientific data and apply it to understand and help solve an environmental problem.
Keywords:	Tree farming; clearcutting; clear cutting; timber; natural resource conservation; soil conservation; forest products; logging; deer management; white oak
Topical Area:	Scientific argumentation
Educational Level:	Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division
Formats:	PDF
Type/Method:	Debate, Role-Play
Language:	English
Subject Headings:	Natural Resource Management Forestry Environmental Science Botany / Plant Science
Date Posted:	02/19/06
Date Modified:	N/A
Copyright:	Copyright held by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Please see our usage guidelines, which outline our policy concerning permissible reproduction of this work.

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