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Amusingly, despite the abundant plantation efforts, Ireland still imports a staggering 30% of its timber. Special utility poles, vital for communication and electricity, mostly come from Scandinavian countries. This paradox highlights the deeper issues rooted within Ireland's forest management strategies, where commercial interests often overshadow ecological integrity.
The Timber Industry and its Impacts
Forestry's current management is primarily driven by commercial motives, raising concerns about biodiversity loss. Monoculture practices allow for rapid growth but render forests vulnerable to diseases and environmental stresses, including storms. In recent years, severe storms have brought down thousands of trees, generally leaving extensive scars across the landscape.