Andrew Gray graya@fsl.orst.edu The term old growth has been widely applied in temperate forest ecosystems of Australia. The national policy framework - the National Forest Policy Statement argues that the term old growth is applicable to all Australian forests including rainforests and open eucalypt forests. In practice however, tropical rainforest ecologists prefer to use the terms virgin or unlogged rainforest. Because of the floristic and structural complexity of north Queensland tropical rainforests (there are 900 tree species alone) and the fact that tropical rainforests may contain many old trees with a mainly self sustaining restoration ecology (in the virtual absence of fire) applying the term old growth in tropical systems is rarely attempted. A comprehensive and ambitious old growth project based on sub-tropical eucalypt forest types in north eastern New South Wales is being completed this week. The project investigated many aspects of the ecology of these forest types in an attempt to understand their ecology, dynamics and deal with the management imperatives of adequately defining them as other government processes were attempting to deal with their conservation planning requirements. The 9 volumes of reports are being finalised now and submitted to the funding body. If you are interested in some particular aspects (eg mapping, fauna, vegetation, culture) send me a message with your postal address and I will add you to a distribution list. Regards Ross Peacock Principal Forest Ecologist (Flora) Sustainable Forest Management Team State Forests of NSW Locked Bag 23 Pennant Hills NSW 2120 e-mail: rossp@ironbark.forest.nsw.gov.au ph AUS 02 9980 4281, fax AUS 02 484 0057
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