❓ Hon Giz Watson inquires about the implementation status of recommendations from a 2010 report on the vulnerability of South-West forests to timber harvesting under climate change. The Minister provides updates on each recommendation, indicating varying levels of progress, from completed reviews to unfunded research proposals.
AnsweredQoN 5131Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the recommendations contained in the report 'Vulnerability of Forests in South-West Western Australia to Timber Harvesting Under the Influence of Climate Change' published by the Department of Environment and Conservation in 2010, and ask will the Minister please provide full details regarding the current state of implementation of each of the recommendations?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 May 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
56 days
Recommendation 1
A review of refugia was undertaken in cooperation with a number of institutions including Curtin University and the University of Western Australia, and findings were published in the journal Global Ecology and Biogeography (2011). Further work is required before specific parts of the landscape can be identified for special management.
An interim silvicultural specification regarding seed tree selection for jarrah forest in shelterwood harvesting areas was developed and examined by the expert panel review of silvicultural practices. The expert panel was established in response to Action 34.1.4 of the Forest Management Plan 2004-2013. The outcomes from the expert panel review will be made public when the draft Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 is released for public comment.
Retention of habitat elements such as habitat logs and coarse woody debris has been reviewed and subjected to the same expert panel review of silvicultural practices.
Recommendation 2
Since 2009 further emphasis has been placed on incorporating natural features in the design of harvest planning units (coupes) in three-year indicative timber harvest plans and annual timber harvest plans. Both three-year and annual timber harvest plans are made available to the public.
Roads are reviewed in the preparation of hygiene management plans. Where appropriate, low profile roads are used, and roading through uninfested (dieback) areas is avoided.
Managing harvesting in areas of high impact dieback, thinning schedules in karri forest as a tool to manage moisture stress, thinning schedules for salt sensitive areas in jarrah forest and salvage harvesting and post-fire rehabilitation were examined by the expert panel review of silvicultural practices. Changes to silvicultural practices will be considered for the new forest management plan.
Recommendation 3
Forest health monitoring is continuing, with mechanisms to improve integration being further considered in the development of the new forest management plan. The development of monitoring guidelines, which will assist in this task, has commenced.
Recommendation 4
In February 2012 the Department of Environment and Conservation reviewed the direction for the FORESTCHECK monitoring program for 2013 onwards and a discussion paper outlining options for future monitoring is currently being prepared.
Recommendation 5
DEC has commenced a survey of regeneration of jarrah in mixed karri stands.
Recommendation 6
A research proposal with several universities was prepared in 2011 to investigate the biodiversity consequences of ecohydrological change in the jarrah forest. The proposal was not successful in receiving funding through the Australian Research Council. A revised proposal is under consideration.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
A review of refugia was undertaken in cooperation with a number of institutions including Curtin University and the University of Western Australia, and findings were published in the journal Global Ecology and Biogeography (2011). Further work is required before specific parts of the landscape can be identified for special management.
An interim silvicultural specification regarding seed tree selection for jarrah forest in shelterwood harvesting areas was developed and examined by the expert panel review of silvicultural practices. The expert panel was established in response to Action 34.1.4 of the Forest Management Plan 2004-2013. The outcomes from the expert panel review will be made public when the draft Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 is released for public comment.
Retention of habitat elements such as habitat logs and coarse woody debris has been reviewed and subjected to the same expert panel review of silvicultural practices.
Recommendation 2
Since 2009 further emphasis has been placed on incorporating natural features in the design of harvest planning units (coupes) in three-year indicative timber harvest plans and annual timber harvest plans. Both three-year and annual timber harvest plans are made available to the public.
Roads are reviewed in the preparation of hygiene management plans. Where appropriate, low profile roads are used, and roading through uninfested (dieback) areas is avoided.
Managing harvesting in areas of high impact dieback, thinning schedules in karri forest as a tool to manage moisture stress, thinning schedules for salt sensitive areas in jarrah forest and salvage harvesting and post-fire rehabilitation were examined by the expert panel review of silvicultural practices. Changes to silvicultural practices will be considered for the new forest management plan.
Recommendation 3
Forest health monitoring is continuing, with mechanisms to improve integration being further considered in the development of the new forest management plan. The development of monitoring guidelines, which will assist in this task, has commenced.
Recommendation 4
In February 2012 the Department of Environment and Conservation reviewed the direction for the FORESTCHECK monitoring program for 2013 onwards and a discussion paper outlining options for future monitoring is currently being prepared.
Recommendation 5
DEC has commenced a survey of regeneration of jarrah in mixed karri stands.
Recommendation 6
A research proposal with several universities was prepared in 2011 to investigate the biodiversity consequences of ecohydrological change in the jarrah forest. The proposal was not successful in receiving funding through the Australian Research Council. A revised proposal is under consideration.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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