Managing Leadbeater's possum in the mountain ash forests of Victoria, Australia—Reply

Abstract

In 1994 I reviewed some environmental effects of timber harvesting in mountain ash ( Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria, south-eastern Australia and concluded that the effects of timber harvesting could be contained, through the most rigorous planning and control, within the known effects of natural disturbance by bushfire. Lindenmayer criticized aspects of my paper which dealt with the management of the endangered arboreal marsupial, Leadbeater's possum ( Gymnobelideus leadbeateri). However, he has given an erroneous account of my position through highly selective, incomplete and often inaccurate quoting. The long-term conservation of an endangered species such as Leadbeater's possum demands an active program using all the combinations of management resources developed from on-going research and observation. Landuse planning in the Central Highlands has resulted in reservation of virtually all mature ash, and extensive areas of regrowth ash are excluded from timber harvesting by reservation or by prescription. A flexible zoning system to protect the current, best habitat operates in consort with a Geographical Information System to predict future habitat distribution in response to changing management, including the development of silvicultural systems, and stochastic events. Lindenmayer apparently views my position, and those of the land-use planning and managing government agencies, as simplistic. Unlike Lindenmayer, I have a positive view of the practicalities, both scientific and social, and of the research and management efforts for the long-term conservation of Leadbeater's possum in Victoria.