To people connected with forestry, I have read some of the recent comments about terminology and have some information to add. The words "harvest", "native forest" and "plantation" are being used inconsistentely with their meaning by some advocates of the clearing of pre-colonial forests. For example a local resident concerned about the plight of endangered eagles in a clearfell logging coupe contacted the woodchip company and the initial reply was "I hear they're harvesting one of our old plantations down there?" (The area had never been planted by humans before, but about a century ago some trees had been felled by bushfolk). The government body who assist the woodchip company said the area will be "regenerated to native forest" by aerial seeding. As they will be sowing only eucalypts the possibility of the native forest reappearing due to their activities is negligable. This is mainly because the forest did contain many trees over 200 years old and the next clearfell is due in 80 years time. Also a forest is not just the standing trees. It includes the understorey, ferns, fallen logs, dead uprights, rare and common animals and these entities in fairly natural proportions. An 80 year old stand of eucalypts is dissimilar to "native forest" but is similar to a "plantation", especially with its high silvicultural input. Those who prefer to use low impact terminology for a high impact activity should recall that the history books eventually tell a more reallistic story. Also consider the legacy left to offspring who feel obliged to support their ancestors but whose everday activities revolve around a biologically impaired environment. Advocates of clearing native forests can use appropriate terminology now without fear of retribution because they can demand that. Robin Deengoh (My views, not necessarily anyone else's). an117280@anon.penet.fi (Subscriber to forest@nic.funet.fi) - - - - - - - - - - - - Discalimer: The views, statements or data expressed here are my own and do not necessarily represent those of anyone else, nor my employer. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- To find out more about the anon service, send mail to help@anon.penet.fi. Due to the double-blind, any mail replies to this message will be anonymized, and an anonymous id will be allocated automatically. You have been warned. Please report any problems, inappropriate use etc. to admin@anon.penet.fi.
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