New forest profiles show diversity of our forests
BRS08/1910
20 October 2008
Up-to-date information on forests around Australia has become available today with the release of the Bureau of Rural Sciences’ (BRS) Australian forest profiles series.
BRS Executive Director Karen Schneider highlighted the importance of Australia’s forests as a key part of the Australian landscape, a significant community asset and a cultural icon.
“Australia has just over 147 million hectares of native forest and about 1.9 million hectares of plantations,” Ms Schneider said.
“Our forests play a valuable role in conserving our unique wildlife, sequestering carbon, supplying fresh water and meeting economic, social and cultural needs.
“The forest profiles describe the extent of each forest type, including location, ownership, values and uses. They are illustrated with examples and case studies on each of the major forest types.”
Australia has an estimated 4% of the global forest estate, the world’s sixth-largest forest area and the fourth-largest area of forest in nature conservation reserves.
The forest profiles series recognises the diversity of Australia’s forests, from the eucalypt forests that dominate much of eastern Australia to the mangrove forests that are an important part of our coastal ecosystems. It includes detailed information on:
• ubiquitous eucalypts—the most common forest type, covering more than 116 million hectares of the continent
• acacias—a large and varied genera that produce the conspicuous golden flowers that are such a characteristic feature of the Australian landscape
• callitris forests that populate drier inland regions of eastern Australia.
• melaleuca forests—known for their paper-like bark, found especially in northern Australia
• mangrove forests that provide important coastal protection and fish habitat
• temperate and tropical rainforests that provide important biodiversity habitat (protection)
“By raising community interest and understanding, this series, and the related Australia’s State of the Forests Report 2008 is designed to provide opportunities for effective public participation in decision-making.
“The profiles series, including its summary profile and wall poster, is an important community resource and educational tool that will enlighten community debate,” Ms Schneider said.
“Governments around Australia have worked together closely on this project—it would not have been possible to develop these profiles without the data collated and published by state and territory agencies.”
The series has been compiled using information from the Forests Australia website: www.daff.gov.au/forestsaustralia.
The Australian forest profiles series is available online from BRS at www.brs.gov.au/publications or by contacting the BRS Bookshop on 1800 020 157 for hard copies.
MORE INFORMATION: DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232