| Autor: |
Wardell-Johnson, Grant W., Schultz, Beth, Robinson, Todd P. |
| Předmět: |
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| Zdroj: |
Pacific Conservation Biology; 2024, Vol. 30 Issue 4, p1-19, 19p |
| Abstrakt: |
Decades of industrial-scale logging have damaged the structure, function, and composition of Australia's forests; increased the threat from severe fires; and generated social distrust – all in a disrupted climate regime. As state agencies withdraw from logging, restoration of forest resilience becomes paramount. We critique two recent proposals for 'commercial timber operations' in two Australian states that have recently 'ceased logging native forests': (1) wind-throw removal via 'community forestry' in Victoria; and (2) 'ecological thinning' in Western Australia. Analysis suggests that ecological restoration will require: (1) scientifically valid and reliable projects; (2) integration across knowledge systems; (3) full cost-benefit accounting; (4) repair of forest legacy damage; (5) restoration of environmental resilience; (6) control of environmental weeds, pests and pathogens; (7) enhanced capacity for early detection of, and rapid response to disturbance; (8) generation of trust to enable a social licence; (9) fostering integrity in media and public relations; and (10) appropriate categorisation in land use. Neither case study demonstrate the application of these forest restoration principles nor provides a way to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposals. These case studies continue the resource-led exploitation of post-production forests, exacerbating damage through the continued depletion of the natural assets essential to generating resilience. Moving beyond resource-led to environment-led management is necessary to restore the ecological integrity of these forests. A shift from the resource-led focus to an environment-led focus guided by scientifically validated principles is likely to also require new administrative and governance arrangements for these forests. Two case studies of 'ecological forestry' ('community forestry' in Victoria, and 'ecological thinning' in Western Australia) demonstrate the urgency to transition from resource-led to environment-led management in the restoration of post-production forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
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