Younes Alila

A University of British Columbia professor says a recent study near Summerland shows forest practices are resulting in more frequent and more intense flooding. Younes Alila, a professor with the Department of Forest Resources Management at the university, studied the forest area near Summerland, along with Spencer Pearson-Atkins and Xu Jian (Joe) Yu, also from the university. Their recent study found clear-cut logging can increase the risk of flooding. Alila, who has been studying flooding since 1996, said the area near Summerland has been indiscriminately logged over the years. Because of the logging practices used, flooding is becoming more severe. …He explained that …after heavy logging, that canopy is gone and as a result, the soil becomes wetter. …Intense logging practices can also result in increased risks of droughts, Alila added. …“Abandon clear-cut logging and adopt other eco-friendly logging practices,” he said. “We need to learn from our terrible, messy experience.”