Forestry Tasmania supporting international dialogue on old forests

The Old Forests, New Management Conference starts today with presentations that are particularly important for the management of Tasmania’s State forests.

“This morning will feature an address by Professor Jerry Franklin (9:20 am) from the University of Washington in the United States, who will discuss the management of old-growth forests in the 21st century – something highly relevant to Forestry Tasmania,” said Dr Hans Drielsma, Forestry Tasmania’s Executive General Manager.

“The century is unfolding at a time of unprecedented environmental and social change, with significant consequences for forests and societal views of their multiple values,” said Professor Franklin. “Uncertainty and highly disruptive change are key elements for forest management and challenge societies to develop policies and practices reflecting this reality.”

Dr Drielsma highlighted another presentation of particular relevance for Tasmania to be given by Australia National University’s Dr Peter Kanowski (10:30 am) who will talk about the social and historical importance of old-growth forests.

“Old-growth forests have been, and remain, important to people for reasons that are both compelling and diverse,” said Dr Kanowski. “The particular environmental, economic and social values of old-growth forests mean that they will continue to be important, to individuals and to societies, for a variety of reasons, and as a result, their management will continue to challenge us.”

Forestry Tasmania’s Dr Simon Grove will make several presentations over the course of the week, noted Dr Drielsma, including a discussion Monday (at 3:40 pm) on the ecology and management of woody debris on the forest floor.

“Coarse woody debris and the old trees from which it is derived are key structural features of wet eucalypt forests and support a wide range of dependent species,” said Dr Grove. “We believe our research findings are advanced enough to be able to inform forest management to help maintain biodiversity in production forests.”

The Old Forests, New Management Conference is co-hosted by Forestry Tasmania, the CRC for Forestry, and the International Union of Forest Research Organisations, and sponsored by the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and the Australian and Tasmanian Governments.

For the conference program of speakers, please go to: www.cdesign.com.au/oldforests2008/

ENDS
18 February 2008

Media inquiries:
David Tuck,
Corporate Relations
6233 8249
.