Contributing to the conservation of biodiversity through the Tasmanian forest practices system

Transcription

1 Contributing to the conservation of biodiversity through the Tasmanian forest practices system Sarah Munks and Dydee Mann Tasmania s independent forest regulator administering the Forest Practices Act Advising Researching Monitoring Enforcing

2 Three tiered conservation approach Comprehensive, Adequate, Representative (CAR) reserve system Permanent native forest estate Off-reserve management actions Caleana major

3 CAR Reserves Core ranges: Invertebrates Vertebrates (green) (blue) Threatened plant records forest Raptor communities nests

4 Guiding Policy for the operation of the Forest Practices Code (established under the Forest Practices Act 1985) 8.8. Biodiversity Forest practices will be conducted in a manner that recognises and complements the contribution of the reserve system to the maintenance of biological diversity, ecological function and evolutionary processes through the maintenance of viable breeding populations and habitat for all species.

5 The Biodiversity Evaluation: A Risk Assessment Process 1. Identification of the value databases and survey 2. Consideration of disturbance risk 3. Assess significance of the impact 4. Decision on ways to mitigate the impact

6 Identification of the value - Planning tools

7 On-ground survey - vegetation community, species and habitat

8 Landscape level management actions Native forest only Plantation Formal reserve Informal reserve Simsons range Roads

9 Coupe level management actions

10 The Code threatened species and communities D3.3 Threatened species and threatened native vegetation communities will be managed in accordance with procedures agreed between the FPA and DPIPWE. The agreed procedures will include the development of endorsed management prescriptions through consultation among landowners, FPOs and specialists within the FPA and DPIPWE.

11 Threatened communities and species 39 threatened vegetation communities (listed on State and/or C wealth Acts) 113 threatened fauna (out of 240 listed on State and C wealth Acts) 349 threatened flora (out of 500 listed species) Diuris palustris Brunonia australis

12 Decision support systems- Threatened Fauna Adviser

13 Duty of care provision of the Code A line in the sand The code is more what you d call guidelines than actual rules. (Hector Barbossa)

14 The Biodiversity Landscape Planning Guideline Property/forest block plans? A guideline which can be used to develop landscape scale strategic plans (e.g. whole of property, forest blocks on public land).

15 Training

16 Research and Effectiveness Monitoring Program

17 From Science to Practice Publications Planning tools Cawthen, L, Munks, S, Richardon, A and Nicol, SC EMR 10 (2), * Koch, AJ; Munks, SA and Driscoll DA 2008, WR 35: * Koch AJ, Wapstra M, and Munks, SA 2009, TBR 33, 4-9.* Koch, AJ, Munks, SA, and Woehler, EJ AJZ, 56: * Munks, SA, Koch, AJ and Wapstra, M 2009, FEM 258: Koch, A.J., Baker, S., Biodiversity and Conservation 20, Flynn, EM, Jones, SM, Jones, ME, Jordan, GJ and Munks, SA 2011, Wildlife Research, 2011, 38, pp Cawthen and Munks, WR

18 Case study..

19 Devils in plantations Norske skog identified caves in use July 2014 and contacted FPA for advice

20 FPA s initial investigation of cave Full pouch Evidence of a maternal devil den! Empty pouch

21 Design of devil-specific site management Consultation between Norske skog/fpa/species experts Recommendations including: 1. Prevent collapse of the cave Machinery exclusion on cave area Directional felling of trees away from cave No replanting of pines within 10m of cave 2. Protect occupants No harvesting until devil young have dispersed Speed limit within 100m No dogs on site

22 Ongoing monitoring

23 60 Pre-harvest and Number of individuals Feral Cat Rat Spotted tail Quoll Echidna Pademelon Brushtail Possum Eastern Quoll Wombat Tasmanian Devil Aug-14 Sep-14 Oct-14 Nov-14 Dec-14 Jan-15 Feb-15 Jul-15 Aug-15 Sep-15 Oct-15 Nov-15 Dec-15

24 60 50 Post-harvest Number of individuals HARVESTING NEARBY 4 HARVESTING OF DEN SITE Bennetts Wallaby Feral Cat Rat Spotted tail Quoll Echidna Pademelon Brushtail Possum Eastern Quoll Wombat Tasmanian Devil 1 0 Jan-16 Feb-16 Mar-16 Apr-16 May-16 Jun-16 Jul-16 Aug-16 Sep-16 Oct-16 Nov-16

25 Post harvest devils move back in

26 Summary The Tasmanian Forest Practices System contributes to conservation of biodiversity values in areas outside of formal reserves The Code requires that during the preparation of Forest Practices Plans the proposed operational area must be assessed to determine the presence of biodiversity values at risk. If following the required planning process the risk to a biodiversity value is identified as high, management prescriptions (eg., buffer zones ) are applied and are mandatory. Targeted, risk-based approach and actions to reduce impacts delivered at multiple spatial scales

27 Strengths and weaknesses Strengths Applies across all land tenures Scientists, planners and forest managers work together Planning tools and training explanatory creep /streamlining Commitment to research, monitoring, review and continual improvement Weaknesses Lack of knowledge on impact of forest practices Communication with general public Lack of clarity and conflicting legislative requirements Clearance and conversion Ag developments No state forest policy or clear overarching objectives Need more effectiveness monitoring Do actions work?

28 Thanks and questions?