Sustained yield, stand structure, and non-wood options after 110 years of logging in a New South Wales blackbutt forest

Abstract

Summary The history of forest management and logging regulation in New South Wales is reviewed from 1839 as a preamble to a case study analysis of three decades of measurement data (1960–1990), from over 300 continuous forest inventory (CFI) plots, located in a north coast blackbutt forest. The plots are located in 22 865 hectares of blackbutt forest in Kendall Management Area (KMA) on the north coast of NSW, where logging has been continuous for 110 years (1880–1990), timber yields have been recorded for the last 70 years of logging, and stand volume, stocking and tree size distribution have been monitored over the last 30 years of logging. The objectives and progress of management practices, aimed at balancing wood yield against growth, and re-ordering stand stocking and size distribution to a predetermined plan are reviewed. Some future management options, including that of ecologically sustainable development, are canvassed. Although more than 1 000 000 cubic metres of timber were harvested from the K...