Current forms and extent of retention areas within a selectively logged blackbutt forest in NSW: a case study

Abstract

Summary This case study estimates the cost (in terms of reduced royalty) of the current commitment to protecting non-wood values by retaining ecologically sensitive areas in a selectively logged blackbutt forest (Eucalyptus pilularis Sm.) Blackbutt is the most important native timber-producing species in N.S.W. Within these forests, which frequently have a history of relatively low impact logging (group selection), reserved or low-disturbance areas have been set in place to safeguard ecologically “sensitive areas”. These retained areas are expected to complement and interact with the selectively logged forest to improve the maintenance of non-wood values and provide a reference for the long-term impacts of logging. The current forms and extent of reserves and low disturbance areas are examined in the Coffs Harbour Management Area on the north coast of N.S.W. To broadly estimate some of the cost attributable to the commitment to non-wood values, the current royalty value of the harvestable timber set aside...