16. A Comparison of the Ecology and Conservation Management
331
condition, there have been some extensive and some locally severe
impacts associated with access for logging , hydroelectric schemes , mineral
exploration and mining, and tourism and recreation.
Logging
Currently there is (and has been) little clear falling of Nothofagusdominated rainforests, although there has been extensive selective logging
in the premechanized era of riparian stands of Huon pine (Lagarostrobos
franklinii) and of King Billy pine (Athrotaxis selaginoides) (Horne &
Hickey, 1991). Some selective logging of previously logged Huon pine
continues, but there is now only salvage logging of King Billy pine from
areas to be inundated for hydroelectric schemes, or from road lines
(WGFC, 1990). Current policy prescribes a small annual sawlog cut of
500 rrr' pa for Huon pine cut from about 20% of the total Huon pine
habitat of 10,000 ha (Peterson, 1990). The supply is expected to last 70
years, including 15 years of currently stockpiled logs (Hickey & Felton,
1991).
The mixed forests are an important source of special timbers, a term
applied to noneucalypt species in Tasmania. They are logged on rotation
lengths of 80 to 100 years, which is insufficient time for the redevelopment
of mature mixed forest. Hickey and Savva (1992) consider that a 200-year
timeframe and silvicultural systems alternative to the standard clear fall ,
burn-and-sow treatments could be developed to promote the reestablishment of commercial rainforest tree species to a millable size. Such a
procedure would be appropriate in special timber supply zones.
Logging of sclerophyll forest on the periphery of rainforest also poses
hazards to the rainforest from edge effects , which are most pronounced
in the small outlying patches of riverine rainforests in drier parts of
Tasmania. The effects of such disturbances can effectively be ameliorated
in eastern Tasmania by the retention of a 40 m , buffer strip of sclerophyll
forest adjacent to the rainforest gullies (Neyland & Brown , 1991).
Hydroelectric Developments
There have been some large scale hydroelectric power developments in
Tasmania, and the dams associated with these have flooded unknown
areas of forest , including rainforests. However in a study of riparian
Huon pine communities, Millington et al. (1979) estimated the loss of
forested river flats at 13,500 ha or about 16% of the total area of this
habitat. Some minor further losses will have accrued since that time with
the building of the King River and Henty-Anthony River schemes.
Mining and Mineral Exploration
Activities associated with mining and mineral exploration have had a
devastating effect on the rainforest around Queenstown in western
Tasmania, through the use of fire as an " exploration tool," but also
331
condition, there have been some extensive and some locally severe
impacts associated with access for logging , hydroelectric schemes , mineral
exploration and mining, and tourism and recreation.
Logging
Currently there is (and has been) little clear falling of Nothofagusdominated rainforests, although there has been extensive selective logging
in the premechanized era of riparian stands of Huon pine (Lagarostrobos
franklinii) and of King Billy pine (Athrotaxis selaginoides) (Horne &
Hickey, 1991). Some selective logging of previously logged Huon pine
continues, but there is now only salvage logging of King Billy pine from
areas to be inundated for hydroelectric schemes, or from road lines
(WGFC, 1990). Current policy prescribes a small annual sawlog cut of
500 rrr' pa for Huon pine cut from about 20% of the total Huon pine
habitat of 10,000 ha (Peterson, 1990). The supply is expected to last 70
years, including 15 years of currently stockpiled logs (Hickey & Felton,
1991).
The mixed forests are an important source of special timbers, a term
applied to noneucalypt species in Tasmania. They are logged on rotation
lengths of 80 to 100 years, which is insufficient time for the redevelopment
of mature mixed forest. Hickey and Savva (1992) consider that a 200-year
timeframe and silvicultural systems alternative to the standard clear fall ,
burn-and-sow treatments could be developed to promote the reestablishment of commercial rainforest tree species to a millable size. Such a
procedure would be appropriate in special timber supply zones.
Logging of sclerophyll forest on the periphery of rainforest also poses
hazards to the rainforest from edge effects , which are most pronounced
in the small outlying patches of riverine rainforests in drier parts of
Tasmania. The effects of such disturbances can effectively be ameliorated
in eastern Tasmania by the retention of a 40 m , buffer strip of sclerophyll
forest adjacent to the rainforest gullies (Neyland & Brown , 1991).
Hydroelectric Developments
There have been some large scale hydroelectric power developments in
Tasmania, and the dams associated with these have flooded unknown
areas of forest , including rainforests. However in a study of riparian
Huon pine communities, Millington et al. (1979) estimated the loss of
forested river flats at 13,500 ha or about 16% of the total area of this
habitat. Some minor further losses will have accrued since that time with
the building of the King River and Henty-Anthony River schemes.
Mining and Mineral Exploration
Activities associated with mining and mineral exploration have had a
devastating effect on the rainforest around Queenstown in western
Tasmania, through the use of fire as an " exploration tool," but also