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Human Impact
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In many parts of the Giant Forest, human presence overshadowed even the mighty
sequoias. Above is the former Giant Forest Lodge area.
© NPS photo.
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Overview
Impacts from nearly 100 years of development supporting
overnight accommodations in Giant Forest threatened the giant
sequoia ecosystem that the National Park Service was charged to
protect for future generations. To construct roads and parking
lots, sequoia roots had been pruned, small portions of wetland
and riparian areas had been filled over, and drainage patterns
had been changed. Outdated utility systems leaked effluent into
meadows and streams. Trampling and automobile use had
compacted, eroded, and degraded soils, and pavement remained in
abandoned campgrounds - all preventing germination and
establishment of grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and tree
seedlings.
Fire, a critical factor for establishing the next generation of
sequoias, was eliminated from the developed zone. Traffic
congestion and limited opportunities for people with
disabilities impaired visitor enjoyment. Aging, dilapidated
structures were costly to maintain and service.
To keep Giant Forest Village in operation into the 21st century,
a great amount of additional disturbance would have been
necessary, including: - Replacement of the leaking
underground water system
- Replacement of the leaking
underground sewer system
- Replacement of many old,
rundown buildings
- Long-term trimming and removal of
trees that threatened buildings and visitor safety
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Long-term cutting of roots to clear underground pipes
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Continued soil erosion, soil compaction, and topsoil degradation
- Continued fire suppression in and near development
Continued development in Giant Forest would have
greatly increased the overall negative effect on the health of
the grove. Replacing underground water and sewer systems would
have required cutting mature sequoia roots, which has been shown
to decrease the growth rate of mature giant sequoias. Young
giant sequoias, as well as many other trees, shrubs, and
wildflowers, would fail to regenerate because of impacts to the
soil and the absence of fire. Removal of hazardous trees would
continue to alter forest structure. Future generations would see
an unnatural forest radically different from what we see today.
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