Editing Logging (section)

=== Post-World War II: Modern Mechanized Logging ===

After World War II, mechanized logging equipment, including chainsaws, diesel trucks, and [[Continuous_track|Caterpillar tractors]], transformed the logging industry, making railroad-based logging obsolete. With the advent of these tools, transporting logs became more efficient as new roads were constructed to access remote forests. However, in protected areas like [[United States National Forest]]s and designated [[wilderness]] zones, road building has been restricted to minimize environmental impacts such as erosion in [[riparian zone]]s.

Today, heavy machinery such as [[yarder]]s and [[skyline logging|skyline]] systems are used to gather logs from steep terrain, while helicopters are used for [[heli-logging]] to minimize environmental impact.<ref>[http://forestry.com/blog/helicopter-logging-heli-logging/ Helicopter logging or Heli-logging] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604093745/http://forestry.com/blog/helicopter-logging-heli-logging/ |date=2009-06-04 }}, Forestry.com</ref> Less common forms of logging, like [[horse logging]] and the use of oxen, still exist but are mostly superseded.<ref>{{citation|title=Animal logging in the US South and its application in the developing countries|publisher=[[FAO]]|url= http://www.fao.org/3/XII/0573-B1.htm}}</ref>