Why Forests Matter
Environmental Values
In any forest there exists a balance of living organisms – plants, animals, fungi and even bacteria - that are dependent on each other for their survival. Together with the rocks, soil, and water that make up their environment, they form a complex web of life known as an ecosystem. Forests contain some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, and support a wide variety of the planet’s living species.
Photo: Forest Wood Products Research
and Development Corporation
Australia is one of the world’s most biologically diverse countries. Most of Australia’s flowering plants, mammals, reptiles, frog and fish species, and about half the bird species are not found anywhere else. Forest ecosystems are also essential for human life providing fertile soil, fresh water and clean air.
The root systems of forest trees and shrubs hold soils together, preventing erosion and reducing the impact of floods. Forests play an important role in the water cycle too, with the vegetation and soil in forested catchments acting as filters to remove impurities and maintain water quality. Forests also regulate watertables preventing dryland salinity.
Forests are also considered natural 'carbon sinks', because trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow. Maintaining forested areas and regenerating and replanting trees after harvesting ensures that forests continue to act as carbon sinks. In fact, reforesting cleared areas of land is already being used to help offset some carbon dioxide emissions in Australia and other countries.
Photo: Forestry SA
Forests also help to regulate local climates. The vegetation cover in forested areas increases the amount of water that is transpired back into the atmosphere, influencing local climate patterns including rainfall, humidity and temperature.
The complex range of environmental services provided by forests is not yet fully understood. However, Government and industry in Australia recognise the importance of these environmental values and are working together to manage forests in a sustainable manner. This involves research, planning and monitoring of dynamic living systems in order to continually improve practices as new information comes to light.
The conservation of biodiversity in forests is managed through the establishment of conservation reserves, as well as special management zones in areas that are harvested. At present, nearly 21.5 million hectares (13%) of Australia’s forests are formally protected in conservation reserves. In the 7% of native forests allocated for production forestry, timber harvesting is managed to comply with strict codes of conduct in order to minimise its impact on forest biodiversity.
Case Study: Conserving forest biodiversity
Photo: David Barnes/Forests
NSW Image Library
Justin Williams is an ecologist at Forest NSW. Ecologists are scientists who study the relationships between plants, animals, microrganisms and their environment.
Justin’s key task is to combine the results of field research with the best available knowledge on wildlife management.
Justin often works through the night surveying for nocturnal creatures like frogs, bats and gliders, using special traps and techniques to spot the animals.
These survey results are one of the tools that planning foresters use to decide where timber harvesting will be allowed and where it will be excluded. Justin also works with other land owners and managers to eradicate pest animals such as foxes and wild dogs which can have devastating effects on the health of forests.
