- TIMBERBIZ.COM.AU - A La Une - 20/Jun 00:32

Opinion: Jack Bowen – Sustainable solutions through forest management

In the April edition of the Builders Bulletin, Jeff Harvey stated some facts, repeated over the years by Jeff and the industry. Starting with the basic facts that our trees grow on rain and solar energy and are easily regrown – the ultimate “Carbon Capture and Storage Technology.” At the same time, although eucalyptus are great carbon (CO2) absorbers in their early years of life, they absorb less CO2 as they approach 80 to 100 years, drop branches and leaves, become carbon neutral and eventually, carbon negative. Management for the harvesting and regeneration of regrowth timber is not allowed through changes to State Government policy in 100% of Victoria’s native state forests. Previously the Victorian timber industry was harvesting only 0.04% per annum of total forests ie the equivalent of about four trees in every 10,000, from previously disturbed forest and all harvesting is replanted. I wonder how this 0.04% could possibly be unsustainable as the Victorian state government (under Dan Andrews) has decided? A tree grows on solar energy, absorbing carbon dioxide naturally. That carbon dioxide (CO2) is converted into carbon that is captured in the timber products we produce and sell. Approximately half of the dry weight of timber is carbon. All old growth forests are locked up and have been for many years. The timber industry has sustainable forest practices, the basis of which is to replant at least 4 trees for every tree harvested. Taking all the above into account, there is now an Industry Active Forest Management Strategy that I believe makes sense and would (should) satisfy all parties that are interested in the future of our native forests and the role timber can play in our quest for a liveable environment. Solutions that deliver important benefits and wider community needs including – forest health and resilience, reduced wildfire risk, greater biodiversity and wildlife protection outcomes, and also sustainable, renewable, local and independently certified Victorian hardwood products. Interrogate the forest management research to understand broader views rather than base forest management on narrow viewpoints. Some of this work has been completed. The current situation of no native forest operations enables the opportunity to consider forest management from scratch-a fresh start. The fresh start would not consider the industrial type of clear fall harvesting or coupe burning. Selective harvesting widely practised in the hardwood forests of Europe and USA for centuries have maintained the same forest and biodiversity in perpetuity. There is no burning of slash. Harvesting is low intensity so any remaining slash cannot carry a continuous fire. Crown cover is maintained not allowing too much light that would encourage fire prone ground species. Selective harvesting incorporates all forest values and is now being successfully practiced in Tasmanian private forests, with the same species as in Victoria under strict approved Forest Practices Plans This a low-cost model that enables funding for forest improvement and fire prevention and suppression work and the management of pest plant and animals. It is also self-funding. Monitoring is an important component both before and after forest activities to both show improvement and improve forest management practices. Currently much of the forest is unhealthy. There is a lack of resources to implement healthy forest management regimes. Forests are more susceptible to wildfire because flora has changed and there is not the access or intent to conduct low intensity burning. There is limited access to quickly control fires using existing roads and tracks. Pest Flora (eg weeds-blackberry, St John’s wort, ragwort, oxalis) are unmanaged, abundant and widespread. There is limited access to control. Pest Fauna (eg deer, foxes, dogs, cats, European wasps) are unmanaged, abundant and widespread. There is limited access to control. There is not enough money to manage state forests or national parks. All of the above reduces biodiversity values. Active Forest Management Offers a solution. Select harvesting of some areas allows healthy forests to grow. There is no burning and therefore no immediate carbon emission. Active forest management enables a better climate change solution as more carbon is stored in the forest and in forest products than under a lock it up system. Access is continually maintained for the management of pest flora, fauna, forest health and to control fires. Low-cost selective harvesting (no seed collection, burning or regeneration programs are required). Forest produce maintains an income for sustainable management. The industry accepts harvesting and maintaining road access costs are higher than the previous more intensive industrial harvesting and ‘cut out get out’ roading, and that these funds are used for whole of forest management. Healthy forests enable fire prevention and reduce the fire protection costs by having smaller less intense wildfires (saving the Victorian taxpayer). Jack Bowen is the chairman of Bowens Timber