Old Growth Forests

Australia supports approximately 5% of original old growth forest. The other 95% has been destroyed though such practices as land clearing and logging. Old growth forests differ greatly from a re-growth forest in the fact that they contain stands of significant 'old growth' trees. The term, however, can be misleading and people have different beliefs on what old growth is. According to The Wilderness Society, old growth forest is 'a complex and mature forest ecosystem containing trees over a wide range of ages, which has not been significantly affected by unnatural disturbance'.

Old growth Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua) Errinundra National Park, East Gippsland, Victoria. Photographer: Tony Quoll

The old growth forests in East Gippsland are some of the most diverse forest ecosystems on earth today. Towering stands of Shining Gum (Eucalyptus nitens) and the contorted structures of ancient Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua) often form the ceiling for a living museum that houses many threatened plants. In fact, a frightening 47 are considered rare or threatened under Victorian legislation. The endangered Slender Tree Fern (Cyathea cunninghamii) and majestic Southern Sassafras (Antherosperma moschatum) are just two of the 629 floral species recorded in the region.

There are many plant species found in East Gippsland forests that are used in the production of pharmaceutical drugs. No one knows for sure what other medicinal wonders these forests contain yet by logging these fragile areas, we might be destroying a cure for leukaemia, cancer or AIDS.

There are numerous faunal species that depend solely on these forests for survival. Without adequate habitat, many native animals are now facing extinction. Since European settlement in 1788, hundreds of native species have become extinct around Australia - at least 18 species of mammal and three species of frog have been lost for ever. This track record is a down right shame and our governments must do more to preserve our threatened species. The Yellow Bellied Glider is one of many animals on The Threatened Species and Conservation List 1997. These acrobatic gliders feed on nectar, pollen, tree sap and insects and are the largest of the gliders found throughout Australian forests. They like many other animals, such as the Powerful and Sooty Owl, rellie on natural hollows in old growth trees to nest. Without such hollows, these species will have no home. Without a decent home, these species become extinct.

The Spot Tailed Quoll, a carnivorous mammal, lives in old growth forest and is listed as endangered. The Long-footed Potoroo is one of Australia's most endangered mammals today. Its numbers are extremely low and they too, rellie on old growth forests for survival.

As for storing carbon in a natural, healthy way, old growth forest trees are essential allies in this fight. When these areas are logged, they release massive amounts of carbon that pollute our atmosphere and consequently warm our earth. Government themselves estimate that, through the logging of native forests, some 23.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) are released into the atmosphere every year.

When areas of old growth are logged and replaced with plantation style regrowth forests, water yields for human use can be cut by up to 50%. With salinity and on going droughts causing massive problems around the country, our water quality should be a major issue yet governments continue to destroy precious catchment zones.

	The future for timber harvesting lies within our established plantations

It is imperative that we continue to fight for the protection of our last 5% of old growth forest and pressure all levels of government to harvest timber from the country's 1.5 million hectares of established plantations. According to the Bureau of Rural Sciences, plantations have increased by a massive 43% since 1994. So, in just seven years, plantations in Australian have almost doubled - at the expense of native forest. There are enough plantations in Australia today (Tasmania has 200,000ha+ alone) to provide timber for all our needs and with sustainable and better managed plantations, we would not need to log another old growth forest. Please, help us fight the battle to get governments to stop logging old growth forest now.

Logging

The East Gippsland RFA (Regional Forest Agreement) was signed off by both Victorian and Federal Governments in 1997. The RFA states how many logs (ie, for saw logs and woodchips) can be removed from this region over the next 20 years. In January 1998, the Victorian Government awarded the contract to log this area to the privately owned EGL (East Gippsland Logging Company). As much as 75% of all logs from East Gippsland end up as woodchips and are exported for as little as 9 cents a tonne. Nice bloody cents for 1000 kg of once pristine untouched old growth forest. Its enough to make you cry and if you have a heart, then it probably should. At that disgusting price, each fully loaded log truck, often containing stumps from 300 year old trees, is worth about the same as a loaf of bread from your corner store.

A large proportion of these woodchips are brought and exported by the 100% Japanese owned company 'Nippon Unipac' who then process the woodchips into a variety of paper and packaging goods. The Australian government then buy back these paper goods, often at prices exceeding $10,000 a tonne. So, not only are Australia governments destroying our last 5% of old growth forests but the country's net trade deficit is in excess of $2 billion per year

What you can do

We encourage you to contact government bodies by letter, email, fax and phone and tell them you support the end of logging in areas of old growth forest. You can also contact newspapers and radio stations and tell these groups you oppose the destruction of old growth forests. You will be amazed at how influential a short 50 word 'letter to the editor' can be and newspapers are a great way to inform the public on forest issues. It's also a good buzz to have your personal letter published in the editorial.

There are many environmental organisations involved in preserving native forests and these groups face the ongoing battle of lack of resources and people power. Become a member of The Wilderness Society and ask how you can help with their campaigns.
(see contacts for addresses)