❓ A parliamentary question probes potential changes to the definition of 'old-growth forest' in WA, particularly concerning forests subjected to 'negligible unnatural disturbance'. The Minister's response denies a change in definition but acknowledges refinement for mapping purposes.
AnsweredQoN 210Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
OLD-GROWTH FORESTS - DEFINITION
I refer to the National Forest Policy Statement to which Western Australia was a signatory in 1992 and its definition of “old-growth forests”. Given that the National Forest Policy Statement’s definition of “old-growth forest” is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing” - (1) When was the definition of - (a) old-growth karri and karri/tingle forest; (b) old-growth jarrah woodland; and (c) old-growth wandoo forest and woodland changed so that only undisturbed forest is now defined as old growth and forest that has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance is not? (2) Why has the definition been changed in this way so that only undisturbed karri, karri/tingle, jarrah woodland and wandoo forest and woodland are now defined as old-growth forest? Hon JON FORD
I refer to the National Forest Policy Statement to which Western Australia was a signatory in 1992 and its definition of “old-growth forests”. Given that the National Forest Policy Statement’s definition of “old-growth forest” is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing” - (1) When was the definition of - (a) old-growth karri and karri/tingle forest; (b) old-growth jarrah woodland; and (c) old-growth wandoo forest and woodland changed so that only undisturbed forest is now defined as old growth and forest that has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance is not? (2) Why has the definition been changed in this way so that only undisturbed karri, karri/tingle, jarrah woodland and wandoo forest and woodland are now defined as old-growth forest? Hon JON FORD
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
(1) When was the definition of - (a) old-growth karri and karri/tingle forest; (b) old-growth jarrah woodland; and (c) old-growth wandoo forest and woodland changed so that only undisturbed forest is now defined as old growth and forest that has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance is not? (2) Why has the definition been changed in this way so that only undisturbed karri, karri/tingle, jarrah woodland and wandoo forest and woodland are now defined as old-growth forest? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
(a) old-growth karri and karri/tingle forest; (b) old-growth jarrah woodland; and (c) old-growth wandoo forest and woodland changed so that only undisturbed forest is now defined as old growth and forest that has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance is not? (2) Why has the definition been changed in this way so that only undisturbed karri, karri/tingle, jarrah woodland and wandoo forest and woodland are now defined as old-growth forest? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
(b) old-growth jarrah woodland; and (c) old-growth wandoo forest and woodland changed so that only undisturbed forest is now defined as old growth and forest that has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance is not? (2) Why has the definition been changed in this way so that only undisturbed karri, karri/tingle, jarrah woodland and wandoo forest and woodland are now defined as old-growth forest? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
(c) old-growth wandoo forest and woodland changed so that only undisturbed forest is now defined as old growth and forest that has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance is not? (2) Why has the definition been changed in this way so that only undisturbed karri, karri/tingle, jarrah woodland and wandoo forest and woodland are now defined as old-growth forest? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
(1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
(1) When was the definition of - (a) old-growth karri and karri/tingle forest; (b) old-growth jarrah woodland; and (c) old-growth wandoo forest and woodland changed so that only undisturbed forest is now defined as old growth and forest that has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance is not? (2) Why has the definition been changed in this way so that only undisturbed karri, karri/tingle, jarrah woodland and wandoo forest and woodland are now defined as old-growth forest? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
(a) old-growth karri and karri/tingle forest; (b) old-growth jarrah woodland; and (c) old-growth wandoo forest and woodland changed so that only undisturbed forest is now defined as old growth and forest that has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance is not? (2) Why has the definition been changed in this way so that only undisturbed karri, karri/tingle, jarrah woodland and wandoo forest and woodland are now defined as old-growth forest? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
(b) old-growth jarrah woodland; and (c) old-growth wandoo forest and woodland changed so that only undisturbed forest is now defined as old growth and forest that has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance is not? (2) Why has the definition been changed in this way so that only undisturbed karri, karri/tingle, jarrah woodland and wandoo forest and woodland are now defined as old-growth forest? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
(c) old-growth wandoo forest and woodland changed so that only undisturbed forest is now defined as old growth and forest that has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance is not? (2) Why has the definition been changed in this way so that only undisturbed karri, karri/tingle, jarrah woodland and wandoo forest and woodland are now defined as old-growth forest? Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
Hon JON FORD replied: On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
On behalf of the minister representing the Minister for the Environment, I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for the Environment has supplied the following answer - (1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
(1)-(2) The definition of “old-growth forest” applied to the south west forest has not been changed from that in the National Forest Policy Statement, but was refined through commonwealth-endorsed processes to enable mapping. The complete definition of “old growth” in the National Forest Policy Statement of 1992 is “forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing”. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. Subsequent to the adoption of the National Forest Policy Statement, in 1997 a national working group was formed and reported on the development of criteria for the establishment of a comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system for forests, including old growth. This group acknowledged the differences in the interpretation of “old growth” that would be needed to reflect the variation in ecological characteristics of forests, such as between the wet sclerophyll karri forest and the dry sclerophyll jarrah forest. A project was undertaken during 1997 and 1998 to map the extent of old-growth forests in the south west to contribute to the reserve design process under the Regional Forest Agreement. In the karri forest, where the overstorey growth phases could be readily mapped, the old-growth extent was determined by both overstorey development stage and past disturbance history. In the jarrah forest, where the overstorey development stage could not be readily mapped due to the mixed age structure, the old-growth extent was determined based on disturbance history. This process of defining and mapping old growth within the karri, jarrah and wandoo forests was published by the Commonwealth of Australia and State of Western Australia in 1998. References include the “Nationally Agreed Criteria for the Establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative Reserve System for Forests in Australia: A Report by the Joint ANZECC/MCFFA National Forest Policy Statement Implementation Sub-committee”, published by the Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, in 1997; and volume 1 of the comprehensive regional assessment of a Regional Forest Agreement for Western Australia, published by the commonwealth and Western Australian Regional Forest Agreement steering committee in Canberra.
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