Briefings

Quickfinder

A quick reference to all the briefings in this section

Forestry Facts: An Overview

An overview of the facts about Australian forests, forest products, and the forest industry.

Statistics

Australia's native forests are broadly classified according to their crown cover and can be further classified into forest types according to the dominant species. A comprehensive set of statistics are presented about these classifications.

Native forests

The classification, distribution, behaviour, characteristics and preservation of Australia's native forests is considered.

Multiple use forests

It is important that the 'precautionary principle' be followed when managing timber harvesting in multiple use native forests.

Regrowth forests

Regrowth forests make a major contribution to conserving Australia's biodiversity and meeting demands by the community for wood, water and recreation.

Old Growth Forests

Australia’s National Forest Policy Statement sets sets out an agreed strategy to manage areas of old growth forest.

Hardwood Plantations

General information about Australia's Eucalypt (hardwood) plantations, including industry, economic and investment information.

Softwood Plantations

Pine plantations are an important source of sawn timber for house building and furniture.They complement, rather than substitute, for Australia's native forest resource.

Forest evolution

The evolution of Australia's forests and woodlands over the past 60 million years is considered.

Biodiversity

The terms biodiversity and biological diversity are used synonymously. Biological diversity encompasses the variety of life on earth and is generally considered at three levels.

Sustainability

All Australia’s native forest regions are being harvested well within their sustainable yield

Water and forestry

Trees consume water, but it is difficult to detect any change in water yield unless more than 20% of a catchment area is planted with tree crops.

Bushfires

In a continent as hot and dry as Australia, it is inevitable that fire will continue to be an environmental force, but there are ways we can manage its impact for the protection of lives, property and native flora and fauna.

The Greenhouse Effect

Without greenhouse gases the earth would be too cold for life. However, there is concern that certain human activities may enhance the greenhouse effect, leading to an excessive buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

The World's Rainforests

There are about 4 billion hectares of forest in the world, of which about 25 percent is tropical forest or rainforest. Most of the world's rainforest are in poor regions such as Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Forests and the Economy

Forest industries as a group are one of Australia's largest resource industries. They are also Australia's second largest manufacturing industry.

Woodchips

While some woodchips are used for landscaping gardens, most are produced during the initial processing of wood for the manufacture of pulp and paper and panel products.

Pulp and Paper

Most paper is made from either new (virgin) or recycled wood fibre. Other plant fibres such as sugar cane (bagasse), straw and hemp are used but account for only a small proportion of total paper production.

Renewable energy from wood

Australia’s forest industries have the capacity to supply 30% of the national renewable energy target without harvesting a single extra tree

Timber and bushfires

Building with timber is not as dangerous in bushfire-prone areas as some may believe. This briefing explains why, and what you can do to minimise risk.

Regional development

Forestry maintains many regional communities and offers the prospect of new economic wealth to many more

Establishing new plantations

Forest plantations offer environmentally and economically sustainable opportunities for regional Australia

Indigenous forestry

Australia’s indigenous people are custodians of many areas of forest, giving them significant opportunities to develop their economic independence

International forestry issues

Australia is a major wood products trading nation, and a leading player in developing higher standards of sustainable forest management

Glossary of Terms

A comprehensive alphabetical list of useful forestry, environment and scientific terms.