A Kinder Cut: Making Malaysian Logging Less Destructive

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.