Media and Communication Networks for Australian Native Forests
Australian native forests are being logged at a greater rate than ever before. 85% of all of the native trees logged in Australia are woodchipped and shipped to Japan for the paper industry.
Three of Australia’s states are involved in logging native forests for woodchips – New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Logging for woodchips is not a sustainable practice in any of these states. In NSW alone, 2000 trees a day are sent to the chipmill. That is 1 million tonnes of logs a year.
Native forests are now being logged on 20 year cycles, sometimes less, whereas it takes approximately 150 years for a tree to grow to maturity and form part of a mature ecosystem. The logging of trees on such short cycles thins out the canopy, takes away most of the mature trees and causes the forests to dry out. Mature trees absorb little water, while regrowth needs much larger quantities. Dryer forests are more fireprone. There is mounting evidence to suggest that the fierce and devastating
fires such as the recent Black Saturday fires are made worse by logging forests.
Logging destabilizes the earth and hillsides, causing erosion, and siltation of water catchments. Logged areas are usually burnt, robbing the forest floor of necessary bacteria and compost that are important for the health of the ecosystem. Countless animals are destroyed, either by tree strike or by loss of habitat and food supplies. Even the koala is now a threatened species.
Three of Australia’s states are involved in logging native forests for woodchips – New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Logging for woodchips is not a sustainable practice in any of these states. In NSW alone, 2000 trees a day are sent to the chipmill. That is 1 million tonnes of logs a year.
Native forests are now being logged on 20 year cycles, sometimes less, whereas it takes approximately 150 years for a tree to grow to maturity and form part of a mature ecosystem. The logging of trees on such short cycles thins out the canopy, takes away most of the mature trees and causes the forests to dry out. Mature trees absorb little water, while regrowth needs much larger quantities. Dryer forests are more fireprone. There is mounting evidence to suggest that the fierce and devastating
fires such as the recent Black Saturday fires are made worse by logging forests.
Logging destabilizes the earth and hillsides, causing erosion, and siltation of water catchments. Logged areas are usually burnt, robbing the forest floor of necessary bacteria and compost that are important for the health of the ecosystem. Countless animals are destroyed, either by tree strike or by loss of habitat and food supplies. Even the koala is now a threatened species.
Illustration Jill Redwood, Environment East Gippsland.
FORESTMEDIA
WHAT WE DO
Forestmedia seeks to assist other organisations who are trying to prevent the destruction of native forests in Australia.
It does this by using using different media strategies, including print, web based media, video and film.
It acts as a resource centre for media and advertising materials, a contact point for the media in NSW, a video production company, and an educational organisation. It assists other groups in organising events and workshops.
Contact us at info@foresmedia.net.au or on 0414 958 714
WHAT WE DO
Forestmedia seeks to assist other organisations who are trying to prevent the destruction of native forests in Australia.
It does this by using using different media strategies, including print, web based media, video and film.
It acts as a resource centre for media and advertising materials, a contact point for the media in NSW, a video production company, and an educational organisation. It assists other groups in organising events and workshops.
Contact us at info@foresmedia.net.au or on 0414 958 714
NEWS
FOR UPDATES ON THE LATEST NEWS AND INFORMATION ON THE FORESTS, SEE THE FORESTMEDIA BLOG AT
www.forestconnect.wordpress.com
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LATEST POST: 27.4.10 How Much heavy Machinery can a Koala Bear!
