Forest usage with reference to Japan's forests (1980-1990)

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• Subject: Forest usage with reference to Japan's forests (1980-1990)
• From: Mike.Slee@ANU.EDU.AU
• Date: Wed, 19 Jul 1995 16:10:40 +1000
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In July David South noted that Japan's forests have increased in area over
the period 1980 to 1990 and asked if this were "good" forest policy?

Recently Chris Dean claimed that it could not be because Japan was using
substantial quantities of wood from interr alia Australia.

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SURELY IT IS ARGUABLE VERY STRONGLY THAT THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF ONE
(AUSTRALIAN) FOREST RESOURCE WHILST ALLOWING ANOTHER COUNTRY (JAPAN) TO
INCREASE ITS OWN FOREST ESTATE IS ENTIRELY JUSTIFIABLE AND EXACTLY WHAT THE
FORESTRY WORLD SHOULD BE DOING.

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(I have put this very simply and obviously with some naiviety considering
reports of logging practices adopted to meet the Japanese trade in some
countries.)

As Chris Dean indicated large areas of Australian Forest are clear felled
to supply Japan.   This Australian usage appears sustainable -

1. I know of no large areas of Australian forests destroyed by forestry
operations including clear felling. (i.e. The forests now carry high forest
with generally the same species composition and vigour as before).   I
would appreciate being made aware of any Australian areas which have been
badly affected by forestry operations with details and authoritative
references specifying the species changes.

2. David South's figures indicate the Australian Forest Estate remained
stable 1980-90 at 5% of land area whilst (despite?) supplying Japan.

I3. My understanding is that the Australian Forest Estate has in fact
increased slightly this century.










Regards

Mike Slee

Address         Dr M.U.Slee
                Department of Forestry
                Australian National University
                Canberra ACT 0200
                Australia

E-mail : Mike.Slee@anu.edu.au

Tel  Internat. : +61 6 2492224 - Local 06 2492224
Fax  Internat           +61 6 2490746   Local 06 2490746

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