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The relative inaccessibility of the Klamath forest made it among the last of the great west coast forests to be extensively logged, but in recent decades resource extraction of all kinds has come to the Klamath, with devastating results. Logging activity has fragmented much of the low elevation habitat. Road-building, mineral extraction, and grazing have degraded forest habitats and streams. In addition, fire suppression has disturbed the natural system of burning and renewal that characterizes much of the ecoregion.
There is reason for optimism, however. Much of the high elevation
habitat in the Klamath is already protected as wilderness. Logging is in
decline throughout the region, particularly on the federal lands that
comprise much of the prime forest land. President Clinton's Northwest
Forest Plan curtailed logging in many of the areas of highest
biodiversity. But much remains to be done. Key lowland forest habitats
require permanent protection, roadless areas that link existing
protected areas must be maintained, important watersheds preserved, and
endangered species in the ecoregion must be recovered.
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