Report on the ‘thoroughly modern’ RFA presentation
In order to appear scientifically credible DELWP held a public session at the Royal Society to present its intended ongoing clearfelling of public forests for another 20 years at least.
Sweet RFA
This illustrated guide explains how East Gippsland’s forests were ‘agreed’; to be handed to the export woodchip industry for 20 long years back in 1997. It was a big farce then, as its plan for renewing it is now.
East coast Australia, the new Amazon
Australia’s east coast has been compared to the Amazon as a “deforestation front”. WWF’s The Living Planet report, produced every second year for the past 20 years, says global populations of vertebrate species have declined 60% since 1970. But koala numbers have disappeared at a much faster rate – more than 20% a decade – …
Regional Forest Agreements fail to meet their aims
Species declines and unsustainable forestry evident under RFAs Pr. David Lindenmayer, ANU; Ann Jelinek, Nature Focus Victoria; Oisin Sweeney, National Parks Association of NSW The 20-year Regional Forest Agreements between State and Commonwealth governments are due for renewal. They aim to allow native forest harvesting while providing for conservation and future industry. RFA legislative …
Dingo fence study shows dingo extermination leads to poorer soil
A comparison of conditions in the outback on either side of Australia’s dingo fence has revealed that extermination of these apex predators not only affects the abundance of other animals and plants, but also reduces the quality of the soil. The UNSW study indicates greater control of kangaroo numbers is needed across a third of …
Responses of invasive predators and native prey to a prescribed forest fire
Fire shapes biome distribution and community composition worldwide, and is extensively used as a management tool in flammable landscapes. There is growing concern, however, that fire could increase the vulnerability of native fauna to invasive predators. We developed a conceptual model of the ways in which fire could influence predator–prey dynamics. Using a before–after, control–impact …
Forest conservation might be an even more important climate solution than we realize: Study
According to a new study published in the journal Nature Climate Change late last month, sequestering carbon dioxide is only one of the crucial climate-regulating attributes inherent to the world’s forests. Trees are a crucial regulating factor in the cycle of water and heat exchange between Earth’s surface and atmosphere – and thus forests play …
Diverse forests tend to be healthier, more resilient: Study
“This is a case study that provides evidence to support complementarity in the use of space,” explained researcher Laura Williams. Feb. 28 (UPI) — Previous studies showed more diverse tree stands to be healthier and more productive than monoculture forests, but scientists didn’t know why. New research suggests tree diversity lends a forest adaptability, allowing …
Green Credentials of Burning Forest Biomass for Energy Demolished by New, Independent Chatham House Report
Findings: Subsidized wood power plants actually emit more carbon than burning coal An important new report issued overnight in London has demolished the assumption that forest biomass should be considered a carbon-neutral source of energy. This has major implications for climate policy in Australia, where native forest biomass energy was controversially included into the Renewable …