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I. Introduction 1. TERMS OF REFERENCE AND PROCEDURES
The aim of this study is to review the scientific basis of protection
measures for rainforest currently practiced by the Victorian Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources (CNR). Specifically, the
review intends to:
The review seeks to identify potential problems in the conservation
of rainforest, and to evaluate these threats given Victorian conditions
and context. The terms of reference necessarily predicate a review
of several more general components of the ecology of rainforest
and other plant communities. These include the factors controlling
the distribution of rainforest in the pre-European environment,
the impact that changes in fire regimes have had on the distribution
of rainforest, the potential effects of timber harvesting operations
in the vicinity of rainforest, the effects of harvesting on the
successional dynamics of the rainforest interface, and the characterisation
and quantification of edge effects. Such questions relate to
several different kinds of temperate rainforest, and must be evaluated
along a range of moisture and disturbance gradients.
The terms of reference were developed in consultation with David
Holmes (Manager, Forest Management Branch), Max Kitchell (Manager,
Flora and Fauna Branch), David Parkes (Manager, Flora Section)
and Mike Leonard (Manager, Forest Environment Section). The review
of current protection measures is based on the boundary of rainforest
as defined by the Department's published policy. It was agreed
that a definition of rainforest should not be specifically addressed,
although the interpretation of the definition currently accepted
by CNR in policy and field practice is central to the review.
The review is to include both an evaluation of competing opinions
on the adequacy of current protection measures and an evaluation
of how to implement different alternatives in the planning process.
The School of Forestry of the University of Melbourne was contracted
in August, 1993, to review the scientific basis for the protection
of rainforest in Victoria. Scientific literature relevant to
the protection of Victorian rainforest was reviewed in the latter
part of 1993, and a draft of this review was circulated to CNR
for comment on the breadth, context and interpretations in January,
1994. The feedback was in the form of suggested changes and additional
material. Background information on the development of rainforest
protection measures was then reviewed, together with details and
correspondence of the Rainforest Technical Committee and the development
of the definition of rainforest. Field trips were made in May
and June, 1994 to the East Gippsland and Central Highlands regions
of Victoria, in the company of CNR staff from Flora and Fauna,
Forest Management and the Regional offices. Several aspects of
the management and protection of rainforest were examined, including
impact measurement and monitoring studies currently under way.
Data base managers in Forest Planning provided information on
the distribution of rainforest and on the availability of data
for studies of different kinds that may be used in the evaluation
of impacts on Victorian rainforest.
The second draft of the report was prepared in June, July and
August, 1994. The report was distributed to Forest Management,
Forest Research, Flora and Fauna (CNR) and the School of Forestry
(University of Melbourne) for review by their staff. Their comments
were taken into account before preparation of the third and final
draft. The final draft was submitted in March, 1995.
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