Sustaining key old-growth characteristics in native forests used for wood production

Abstract

In Australia, the number of vertebrate species that utilise hollows has been suggested to be near 400. Taxa known to occupy southern temperature eucalypt forests are listed. Timber harvesting in natural forests represents a potential threat to hollow-dependent fauna: populations of hollow-dependent species are reduced or eliminated upon the removal of all or a portion of the hollow resource. Logging cycles or rotation lengths are also typically shorter than the period required for trees to form hollows suitable for occupation by wildlife. Since the management of Australia's native forests is guided by the principles of multiple-use and ecologically sustainable development, prescriptions have been introduced in an attempt to minimize the impacts of timber harvesting on hollow-dependent fauna. Current prescriptions are here suggested to be sub-optimal. It is recommended that "prescriptions' be formulated for a specific site and its suite of fauna rather than across broad areas. Goals need to be formulated against which the performance of habitat tree prescriptions can be routinely monitored. In the absence of sufficient resource data, a more precautionary approach to management is warranted. Greater emphasis needs to be given in management strategies to the optimal distribution and perpetual recruitment of hollow-bearing trees. -from Author Show more