What is the main purpose of sanitation cutting?

Sanitation cutting primarily aims to prevent the spread of disease within a forest ecosystem. This practice involves the removal of trees that are diseased, dying, or dead, thereby reducing the potential for pathogens and pests to spread to healthy trees. By addressing these health concerns directly, sanitation cutting helps maintain the overall vigor of the forest, supporting both biodiversity and the health of the ecosystem.

While other options touch upon important aspects of forest management, they do not encapsulate the primary focus of sanitation cutting. Increasing timber yield typically relates to practices that promote growth and accessibility of the healthiest trees. Preventing fire hazards involves different management techniques such as thinning and controlled burns, targeting underbrush and brush accumulation rather than focusing solely on disease. Controlling animal populations can be a part of broader wildlife management strategies, but it is not directly linked to sanitation cutting. Therefore, the key reason sanitation cutting is performed is to halt the progression of tree illnesses and maintain a robust forest ecosystem.