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Fallen coarse woody debris (CWD) is critical to forest biodiversity and function. Few studies model factors that influence CWD availability, although such investigations are critically needed to inform sustainable forest management. We assess benchmark levels of CWD in unharvested native forests and those harvested for timber, across a range of forests in north‐east New South Wales, Australia. We found timber‐harvesting was the dominant driver of CWD, with almost double the count (pieces ha−1) and volume (m3 ha−1) of total CWD in selectively harvested than unharvested sites. This pattern was consistent across wet and dry forest types. Harvested sites had greater counts of hollow‐bearing logs, and greater volumes of small and medium‐sized CWD (15–50 cm diameter) than unharvested sites. There was no effect of harvesting on the volume of large CWD (>51 cm diameter). Total volumes of CWD (>15 cm diameter) varied from 114 to 166 m3 ha−1. We found few differences in CWD counts and volumes between forest types, with grassy woodlands and forests containing less CWD than other dry and shrubby forest types, reflecting lower potential input rates. The CWD levels recorded here are similar to those recorded in dry and wet sclerophyll forests elsewhere in Australia and are typical of global estimates for 'old growth' forests. Using general linear models we captured up to 57% of the variation in CWD across sites, and found that timber harvesting, topography and the numbers of standing hollow‐bearing and dead trees were significant predictors of CWD. Values for unharvested forest provide a benchmark that could be used to inform retention guidelines for CWD in managed forests in this region. Further assessment of the effect of repeat timber harvesting is needed to fully understand its impact on CWD dynamics, especially if forest residues resulting from timber harvesting are removed from native forests for bioenergy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although community engagement (CE) is widely recognised as an essential element of sustainable management, few studies have evaluated CE at an industry-wide scale, i.e. in terms of the specific CE needs and best practice methods needed when addressing engagement issues that apply across more than one business in an industry. We explored stakeholder views of the barriers to industry-wide CE within the Australian plantation forest industry. Interviews with key informants were conducted in 2010 throughout three major plantation regions in Australia: Tasmania, south west Western Australia, and the Green Triangle region (south west Victoria and south east of South Australia). We found that stakeholders often considered CE implemented by the forest plantation industry ineffective, due to: (a) lack of strong industry voice, (b) issues of trust, and (c) because technical experts in the forest industry lack skills in CE. Measures that are likely to promote more effective CE are discussed, including enhancement of relationships with external stakeholders, and enhancing CE skills of forestry professionals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ecologically sustainable forest management is being implemented to address the competing demands of timber production and conservation, but its effectiveness is poorly understood. Bats play key roles in forest ecosystems and are sensitive to timber harvesting, so are potential indicators of whether management is successfully achieving biodiversity conservation in production forests. We evaluated logging impacts in jarrah eucalypt forests of south-western Australia by examining insectivorous bat activity, feeding buzzes and insect biomass at four sites in each of recently logged forest, young regrowth and old regrowth. Forest tracks supported higher overall activity and higher feeding activity than off-track sites, but activity was similar on-track irrespective of logging history. However, off-track activity in old regrowth was significantly higher than in either young regrowth or recently logged forest. Vespadelus regulus and Nyctophilus spp. were more active in old regrowth than other logging histories. Similarly, V. regulus, Nyctophilus spp., Chalinolobus gouldii, Chalinolobus morio and Falsistrellus mackenziei activity was significantly greater on- than off-tracks, but activity was similar on-track across logging histories. Increased understorey clutter was the strongest predictor of reduced bat activity in off-track sites. Reduced clutter and roost availability most probably explained greater activity in old regrowth forest. Neither insect biomass nor interactive effects of clutter and insect biomass significantly affected bat activity. Synthesis and applications. Tracks provided internal linear edges within cluttered forests allowing bat species to use such areas for foraging. However, our results suggest that the retention of unlogged areas within logged forests is likely to be the most effective strategy in many forest ecosystems for conserving bat populations and achieving ecologically sustainable forest management for this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia is a federation in which the Constitution vested forest management to the states. A joint Commonwealth-state process was developed to implement a National Forest Policy, involving joint oversight of resource assessment and planning for each of eleven regions. Codes of forest practice and planning systems were greatly improved by incorporating available research on nonwood as well as wood uses. The 39% increase in the area of conservation reserves system necessitated major withdrawals from wood production. Despite the increases in reserves, conservation groups and allied interests were generally dissatisfied with the outcomes. Furthermore, resource security for the industry was not realised. Pre-election promises made by incoming governments, both state and Commonwealth, involved breaking the spirit, if not the letter of the agreements. Nevertheless, lower order processes of third-party audits and joint reviews of practices and planning should be continued to improve sustainability and the information made available in forms accessible to the community. The contribution of science, however, is limited by the inability to adequately evaluate the tradeoffs between uses. The higher level processes should identify the major options and leave the political process, he that state or Commonwealth, to resolve the choice between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable tourism is seen as capable of providing both rural economic development and valorizing conservation. Unfortunately, it appears that many nature-based tourism operations are straggling to maintain the financial viability required to ensure this occurs. This study examined 41 forest-based tourism businesses in northeast New South Wales, Australia, to assess their ability to contribute to sustainable tourism. The businesses employed an average of 5.6 staff per business, including the owner(s). Approximately 61% of businesses had a gross income of less than AUS$100,000 and 40% of operators had a combined household income under AUS$25,000. A relatively large number of operators suggested that they were forced to charge fees that were either below cost or at cost. All operators suggested that their businesses did not have a negative impact on the environment, although nearly 46% of operators stated they had concerns about the environmental impact of their competitors. The overall results indicated that a majority of forest-based tourism operators in northeast NSW, because of their financial position, are probably not contributing substantially to local economic development and would have trouble adopting environmentally sustainable practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trees are being established on substantial areas of Australian farmland, often extending into districts where forestry has not been previously practiced. Irrespective of purpose—wood production, increased water use, erosion control, habitat restoration, carbon sequestration or bio-energy production—the benefits of farm forestry depend on tree survival and adequate growth. Site assessment has been mainly used for the prediction of tree performance but it can be extended to form the basis for site-specific management. Site assessment needs to provide information on species and management inputs suitable to a site’s inherent environmental attributes so that the aim of maximum profitability can be achieved while maintaining a sustainable use of resources.A new site concept for farm forestry is presented that reflects these factors. This new site concept is defined as the integrated effect of environmental factors that influence the potential growth of a particular tree genotype and affect the soil management of that stand of trees to produce a particular product or output. This concept of site is environment-based, independent of the presence of trees, and includes an explicit acknowledgement of a hierarchy of scale (both spatial and temporal) and how it affects what environmental factors need to be assessed.The goal for site assessment for farm forestry is to develop pragmatic, robust and quantitative interpretations from the measured data to aid multiple aspects of plantation management. A pragmatic approach to field survey is required, with data gathering (whether morphological, analytical or electronic) being based on demonstrated benefit rather than routine prescription, guess-work or tradition. Site assessment needs to be linked to well-designed species trials and permanent growth plots so continual evolution and improvement of edaphic and silvicultural relationships can be incorporated into future modifications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]