BIOMASS BURNING NOT A SUSTAINABLE PRACTICEPLEASE SIGN ONLINE PETITION!
The push for biomass burning of 'useless litter' can ecologically bankrupt a forest ecosystem. What these economic calculations fail to consider is that litter and wood debris in a forest is a substrate-rich habitat for myriad interlacing membranes of mycelium, creating cellular matrices that support complex soil biodiversity.
As litter-fall accumulates, carbon is being sequestered: in the soils, in the litter, and subsequently in the trees/plants that flourish. If an ecosystem's biomass is removed in the interests of short-term-gain burning, long-term losses are quickly incurred - not only on the immediate ecosystem, but in downstream ecosystems as well.
The forest litter and its associated populations are excellent bio-filters, reducing erosion, siltation, and support insects - all helping protect fisheries. This is just one thread of many that will be destroyed by the rush for stripping the forests of burnable biomass.
I urge you to study this issue, paying particular attention that this is not a sustainable practice, has no safeguards in place to prevent over-exploitation, and is based on what I believe are false premises and myopic viewpoints.
If you feel as I do, please sign this petition.
LINK TO SIGN ONLINE PETITION TO STOP BIOMASS INDUSTRY IN WA:
http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-biomass-industry-from-destroying-forests-in-washington-state
Paul Stamets has been a dedicated mycologist for over thirty years. Over this time, he has discovered and coauthored four new species of mushrooms, and pioneered countless techniques in the field of edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation. He has written six books on mushroom cultivation, use and identification; his books "Growing Gourmet and Medicinal" and "The Mushroom Cultivator" (coauthor) have long been hailed as the definitive texts of mushroom cultivation. His newest book is "Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save The World".
Link to Paul Stamet's website:
www.fungi.com
What I love most about this post is that the author is a businessman with an economic interest directly linked to the health of our forests. Mr. Stamets approaches the biomass issue with methodology rooted in science and practical knowledge. When you compare his merit-based assessment to that offered by political operatives and special interests, it becomes clear that ideology, not science or common sense, have dominated this most important of public issues.
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering where Mr. Stamets has been since first hearing him speak last spring when this all came to our attention.
ReplyDeleteAs a local businessman his opposition to ADAGE, based on science and the negative impact ADAGE would have on his busines, is relevant and should be more widely known.
I hope this means he will become more vocal and prominent in the efforts of the local citizens to stop ADAGE from sweeping the forest floors to feed their dragon.