Overview of harvesting and regeneration systems · Regeneration Systems 8 March 2019 Version 1.0...

i | P a g e

Draft for review and stakeholder input

Harvesting

and

Regeneration

Systems

8 March 2019

Version 1.0

Draft for review and

stakeholder input

ii | P a g e


This page left deliberately blank

VicForests welcomes feedback regarding the context of this plan at any time. Feedback and

comments can be directed at any time to:

Manager, Biodiversity Conservation and Research

VicForests

P.O. Box 191

Melbourne Vic 3001

Phone: +61 9608 9500

Fax: +61 9608 9588

Email: [email protected]

Or visit our Website: www.vicforests.com.au for more information

http://www.vicforests.com.au/

Table of Contents

1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1

2 Objectives .................................................................................................................... 5

3 Alignment with managing High Conservation Values .................................................... 6

4 Adaptive silvicultural systems ....................................................................................... 9

5 Occupational safety considerations ............................................................................ 15

6 Monitoring, evaluation and reporting .......................................................................... 16

List of Figures

Figure 1 Variable retention harvesting at Drum Beat coupe, Marysville District ..................... 3

Figure 2 Seed tree harvesting operation at Tops coupe, Toolangi district .............................. 3

Figure 4 Indicative proportions of public native forests available for timber harvesting, 2014 4

Figure 6 Primary objectives for silvicultural conformance with FSC standards ....................... 5

Figure 5 Previous profile of the main types of silviculture systems applied by VicForests ...... 9

Figure 6 Overview of VicForests' shift to a more adaptive suite of silviculture regimes .......... 9

List of Tables

Table 1 HCV categories under the FSC national standard of Australia .................................. 7

Table 2 VicForests' habitat tree categories to inform retention and protection measures ....... 8

1 | P a g e


1 Introduction

1.1 Purpose

This draft document sets out VicForests’ current suite of harvesting and regeneration systems,

as part of its broader remit and responsibility for the sustainable harvest, regrowth and

commercial sale of timber from public native forests on behalf of the Victorian Government.

These harvesting and regeneration systems comprise an integral component of the company’s

Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management Plan (to be reviewed and renamed as VicForests

‘Forest Stewardship Plan’1), which communicates the policy settings that govern our

operations, describes our responsibilities and proposed approaches to forest management,

and invites ongoing collaboration with stakeholders to help us realise continual improvement

in the way we look after Victoria’s unique native forests.

This draft version:

This draft document pertaining to harvesting and regeneration systems is presented for

stakeholder input on the content and format. VicForests intends to complete this review by the

end of May 2019, with a view to finalizing its updated instructions and procedures by the end

of June 2019. VicForests may establish transition plans to address silvicultural system

requirements following further inputs over this period.

VicForests seeks and welcomes all stakeholder feedback on this draft document to assist in

strengthening its processes for managing harvesting and regeneration operations.

1.2 Definitions

VicForests has reshaped its harvesting and regeneration systems within the context of its

policy commitment to implementing adaptive silviculture. VicForests’ use of the term adaptive

silviculture is based on the foundation concept of adaptive management and the application of

this to the selection of appropriate silvicultural systems for public native forests in Victoria.

Adaptive management has been defined as a process of management, planning and decision-

making in the face of uncertainty, to acquire and use knowledge as this is created, learn from

successes and mistakes, and modify practices to better achieve management goals2. In their

comprehensive review of the management of Victoria’s publicly-owned native forests for wood

production, Turner et al observed in 2010:

Sustainable forest management must be underpinned by the principle of adaptive management. This involves planning (setting goals and identifying indicators), implementation, monitoring and evaluation (against indicators), and review leading to adapted plans or guidelines. Use of this model will ensure that the forests progressively become better managed.3

1 VicForests intends to review and rename its Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management Plan by mid-2019, to

reflect changes made to its HCV management system and its Harvesting and Regeneration systems. 2 Forest & Wood Products Australia, 2011. Seeking a balance between forestry and biodiversity – the role of

variable retention silviculture Insights from western USA and Canada. Project no: PGD167-0910. 3 Forest & Wood Products Australia, 2010. Management of Victoria’s Publicly-owned Native Forests for Wood

Production: A Review of the Science Underpinning their Management. Project no: PRC174-0809.

2 | P a g e


Silviculture means the science and practice of managing harvesting, forest establishment,

composition, and growth to achieve specified objectives4. A silvicultural system is a planned

method of forest management in which the protection, regeneration, tending and utilisation of

the crop are incorporated into the management objectives5.

In Victoria, there has been considerable forest research work on silvicultural systems for public

native forests dating back over 30 years. The Victorian Timber Industry Strategy (TIS) of 1986

made a major commitment to research and development on silvicultural systems alternative to

clear-felling and to explore the potential for commercial thinning of regrowth stands to improve

future sawlog production6. The TIS led to the Silvicultural Systems Project (SSP), which

involved the establishment of major research sites in Mountain Ash forests near Tanjil Bren

and in Low Elevation Mixed Species (LEMS) forests at Cabbage Tree Creek in East Gippsland.

It is noteworthy that Tasmania initiated a similar study some years later at its Warra Long Term

Ecological Research Site.

Research facilitated by the Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) over the past decade

has noted that silvicultural systems are often named to reflect the spatial and temporal

distribution of harvested trees. Whilst this terminology implies a separation of systems, most

systems essentially fall on one of two continuums that relate to either the size of the gap (small

to large) or the level of retained overwood (none to high). Studies such as SSP in Victoria and

Warra in Tasmania have provided managers with alternative approaches to the traditional

clearfell system involving large and often contiguous coupes in Mountain Ash and LEMS

forests and tall wet Tasmanian forests. For example, the Tasmanian research proposed the

adoption of a “mixed” silvicultural approach with variable levels of retained overwood, including

retention of unharvested “aggregates” within coupes, clear-felling in steep country (but using

smaller coupes), and group or single tree selection in special areas providing it is safe and

cost-effective. FWPA research incorporating a broad literature review has concluded the SSP

findings in Victoria follow a similar pattern.7

In this context, VicForests also acknowledges the research facilitated by FWPA that has

identified the development of variable retention in the Pacific Northwest of western USA and

Canada, and in Tasmania, as good examples of adaptive management applied to silviculture8.

This adaptation has contributed to variability in implementation across forest management

operations. For example, in Tasmania, research in the Warra silvicultural systems trials have

found that dispersed retention, which is commonly practiced in the Pacific Northwest, was

unsafe in old-growth wet eucalypt forests; hence Tasmania’s shift to systems described as

‘aggregated retention’. Further adaptation has occurred to overcome difficulties with

regeneration burning in wet eucalypt forests.

Most recently, VicForests has committed to adapting and further developing its systems, in

ways that are aligned with a shift towards increasing use of variable retention. This includes

development of its ‘Regrowth Retention Harvesting’ (RRH) system, which it has been applying

to Ash regrowth stands since 2014. In East Gippsland, VicForests has over the past five years

substantially increased the level of retention of hollow bearing trees and trees with other

conservation values; and reduced the use of high intensity regeneration burns.

4 State of Victoria Dept of Environment & Primary Industries, 2014. Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014. 5 Jacobs, M.R. 1955. Growth habits of the Eucalypts. Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra p.183. 6 Forest & Wood Products Australia, 2010, ibid. 7 Forest & Wood Products Australia, 2010, ibid. 8 Forest & Wood Products Australia, 2011, ibid

3 | P a g e


Through these management systems, VicForests intends to continue adapting its silvicultural

practices, and the application of these systems, to achieve a balance between forestry and

biodiversity across the forest areas in which it operates.

Figure 1. Variable retention harvesting at Drum Beat coupe, Marysville District

Source: VicForests (M Ryan)

Figure 2. Seed tree harvesting operation at Tops coupe, Toolangi district

Source: VicForests (M Ryan)

4 | P a g e


1.3 About VicForests operations

VicForests is a State-owned business responsible for the sustainable harvest, re-growing and

commercial sale of timber from public forests on behalf of the Victorian Government.

Of the total public native forest estate in Victoria, around 6% is considered available and

commercially suitable for timber production. Annual rates of timber harvesting within this

designated area are considerably smaller; recently around 2,500 – 3,000 ha9, which is less

than 0.5% of the total available area; and less than 0.05% of the total public native forest estate

(Figure 3).

Figure 3. Indicative proportions of public native forests available for timber harvesting, 2014

Source: VicForests Area Statement 2014

Under the Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004, the Minister for Agriculture is responsible

for allocating timber in State forests to VicForests for the purposes of harvesting and selling,

or harvesting or selling, timber resource10. The allocation to VicForests is made through an

Allocation Order, which is intended to provide long-term access to Victoria's timber resources,

with a term of 15 years with options of extension. VicForests may only harvest and/or sell

vested timber resources in accordance with the Allocation Order.

In accordance with the Act, the Allocation Order describes the forest stands within State forest

to which VicForests has access, the location of those forest stands, the total extent and

available areas of those forest stands, the maximum area available for timber harvesting in

any five-year period, any additional activities that VicForests is permitted to undertake, and,

the conditions VicForests must comply with in carrying out its functions under the Order.

The conditions that VicForests must comply with include complying with all relevant Codes of

Practice, including but not limited to the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014. In

addition, VicForests must comply with the Forest Management Zoning Scheme for Victoria.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) is responsible for

managing the Forest Management Zoning Scheme, comprising Special Protection Zones,

Special Management Zones and General Management Zones.

9 VicForests 2014, VicForests’ 2014 Area Statement. Online, viewed 12 October 2018 10 Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act 2004. Refer section 13.

5 | P a g e


2 Objectives

VicForests recognises that to be a leader in sustainable forest management, it must continue

to develop further and continuously improve its forest management practices, as well as

explore alternative perspectives.

VicForests’ approach to forest management has evolved over its history, and now incorporates

an increased focus on an adaptive approach to selecting and applying silviculture regimes that

retain and protect high conservation values (HCVs). This is aligned with the outcomes of a

review by VicForests of its silvicultural regimes, following its FSC Controlled Wood standard

evaluation audit conducted in 2017/18. The evaluation audit called for VicForests to review

and revise silvicultural regimes comprising clear-felling and regeneration burns, to ensure High

Conservation Values (HCVs) such as old growth forests, rainforest areas and threatened

species habitat are not impacted by forest management operations.

In this context, VicForests has committed to three key objectives that underpin its approach to

adaptive silviculture (Figure 4). These objectives are aligned with the findings from the

FSC Controlled Wood evaluation audit conducted in 2017/18 and the criteria and indicators for

sustainable forest management in the Responsible Wood standard.

Figure 4. Primary objectives for silvicultural conformance with FSC standards

These objectives underpin the strengthening of VicForests’ management systems and use of

adaptive silviculture across VicForests operations.

It should be noted these objectives do not preclude the use of clear-fall harvesting systems or

a selective use of burning for regeneration. However, VicForests has committed to reducing

the predominant use of these systems, with the aim of applying more adaptive regimes that

place highest priority on maintaining HCVs.

Further guidance on the alignment between VicForests’ approach managing HCVs and its

harvesting and regeneration systems is set out below.

Minimise the use and intensity of regeneration burns

Shift from the predominant use of high intensity regeneration burns in all forest types, to a more adaptive suite of regeneration treatments that further reduces risks of any damage to retained trees

Increase variable retention levels in harvesting operations

Shift from the predominant use of clear-fall harvesting systems, to a more adaptive suite including more selective and dispersed harvesting systems that will support multi-cohort forest management

Strengthen HCV management systems

Review and strengthen planning and operational systems for identifying, retaining and protecting HCVs throughout its operations

6 | P a g e


3 Alignment with managing High Conservation Values

3.1 VicForests’ approach to managing HCVs

VicForests has established a set of systems for Management of High Conservation Values11,

which is available for review at: http://www.vicforests.com.au/vicforests-forest-management-

system/policies-procedures-and-instructions

Since the FSC Controlled Wood evaluation audit for VicForests in 2017/18, VicForests has

reviewed and revised these management systems, and the process of engagement with

stakeholders (both internal and external) on its development, with a view to further

strengthening its approach to the management of HCVs.

This has included further work and further modifications in key practices such as clear felling

and burning as well as the delineation of special values, including but not limited to old growth

value, to demonstrate clear intent and conformance with certification standard principles and

criteria relating to the retention and protection of HCVs.

Specifically, the findings from the evaluation audit in 2017/18 have directed VicForests to

increased focus on retaining and protecting hollow bearing trees, particularly where they exist

outside the extent of designated old growth forest, i.e. small patches (less than three hectares)

or scattered trees within coupes.

3.2 VicForests’ adaptive silviculture

As reflected in the overall objectives (section 2), VicForests will increase the retention and

protection of hollow bearing trees, while also acknowledging the desirability of being able to

factor broader landscape considerations, e.g. the extent to which hollow bearing trees are

represented in the surrounding forest areas (across public land tenures).

In this context, VicForests notes that its mixed species operations in East Gippsland have

already incorporated a significantly higher level of retention and modified burning prescriptions,

including a shift away from use of high intensity burning. The alternative options now employed

in East Gippsland are low/moderate intensity burns or no burning. The East Gippsland region

is now shifting its focus to current operating procedures in Ash forests in Tambo region.

3.3 HCV categories

VicForests acknowledges the FSC developed the High Conservation Value (HCV) concept

(initially in 1999) to ensure the maintenance or enhancement of significant environmental and

social values within the FSC certification process for managed forests. HCVs are recognised

internationally under six categories. The new FSC national standard of Australia sets out an

updated set of HCV category definitions, which are summarised in Table 1.

11 VicForests, 2019. High Conservation Values Management System. Updated draft dated March 2019.

Released for public consultation and feedback.

http://www.vicforests.com.au/vicforests-forest-management-system/policies-procedures-and-instructions

http://www.vicforests.com.au/vicforests-forest-management-system/policies-procedures-and-instructions

7 | P a g e


Table 1. HCV categories under the FSC national standard of Australia

# Principle

HCV components

HCV 1 Species diversity Concentrations of biological diversity* including endemic species, and rare*, threatened* or endangered species, that are significant* at global, regional or national levels.

HCV 2 Landscape*-level ecosystems* and mosaics

Intact forest landscapes* and large landscape*-level ecosystems* and ecosystem* mosaics that are significant* at global, regional or national levels, and that contain viable populations of the great majority of the naturally occurring species in natural patterns of distribution and abundance.

HCV 3 Ecosystems* and habitats*

Rare*, threatened*, or endangered ecosystems*, habitats* or refugia*.

HCV 4 Critical* ecosystem services*

Basic ecosystem services* in critical* situations, including protection* of water catchments and control of erosion of vulnerable soils and slopes.

HCV 5 Community needs Sites and resources fundamental for satisfying the necessities of local communities* or Indigenous Peoples* (for livelihoods, health, nutrition, water, etc.), identified through engagement* with these communities or Indigenous Peoples*.

HCV 6 Cultural values Sites, resources, habitats* and landscapes* of global or national cultural, archaeological or historical significance, and/or of critical* cultural, ecological, economic or religious/sacred importance for the traditional cultures of local communities* or Indigenous Peoples*, identified through engagement* with these local communities* or Indigenous Peoples*.

Source: FSC national standard of Australia.

Note: Asterisks indicate defined terms in the national standard.

To a large extent, the identification, retention and protection of HCVs within State forests

(in which VicForests operates) is addressed through broader landscape level planning

processes that are managed by the State government. These include the Regional Forest

Agreement (RFA) process, which has incorporated the development of Comprehensive

Regional Assessments (CRAs) and the establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and

Representative (CAR) reserve system, which includes formal reserves (e.g. national parks,

regional parks and other land tenures) as well as informal reserves within State forests (e.g.

Special Protection Zones and Special Management Zones).

There is an extensive range of inter-governmental processes set up between the

Commonwealth and State governments to review and ensure the adequacy of the

RFA process for ensuring the ongoing balance in managing a broad range of forest values,

incorporating environmental values that encompass HCVs, as well as Indigenous values,

social values, economic values and ecosystem service values. Further information on the RFA

process and the status of RFA renewal in Victoria is available through the Victorian

Government’s website12 and the Commonwealth Government website13.

12 DELWP, 2018. Modernising Victoria’s regional forest agreements. Accessed online, January 2019:

https://www.forestsandreserves.vic.gov.au/forest-management/regional-forest-agreements 13 Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, 2019. Regional Forest Agreements. Accessed online,

January 2019: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/forestry/policies/rfa

8 | P a g e


Furthermore, VicForests’ operations are regulated under a legislative framework that governs

sustainable timber harvesting in Victoria. This framework determines where VicForests can

harvest, the size of the area harvested and how any potential effects of our operations on

specific values are mitigated. VicForests operations are subject to internal and external

auditing to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014, as well

as its own management system requirements. This includes ensuring compliance with the

Australian standards managed by the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme14, which is

recognised globally by the world's largest forest certification scheme, the Programme for the

Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). VicForests is also subject to annual forest audits

and periodic compliance checks by DELWP; on both VicForests systems and operations.

However, following the FSC Controlled Wood evaluation audit completed in 2017/18,

VicForests has recognised the need for greater focus on protection measures at the coupe/site

level. While landscape level protection measures are largely addressed through RFA and

Forest Management Planning processes, coupe level requirements require additional attention

through adaptive silviculture and selection of appropriate harvesting and regeneration

systems.

Specifically, VicForests has identified the need to focus on identifying hollow bearing trees,

and habitat trees more broadly, and incorporating their protection in variable retention

silviculture systems. With this objective, VicForests has defined three categories of

Habitat Trees based on their age and structure, which provide for critical elements of habitat

to wildlife species dependent on hollows for life cycle aspects. These three categories are set

out in Table 2.

Table 2. VicForests' habitat tree categories to inform retention and protection measures

Habitat trees Descriptions

Category 1 Live, large hollow bearing trees typically represented as “Pre-1900” trees* in ash forests; in mixed species these trees are Senescent (Late Mature and Over Mature) trees (typically with low market value).

‘* Note this category includes trees that VicForests is obliged to identify, retain and protect under existing regulatory controls in Victoria.

Category 2 Mature trees that have hollows or are highly likely to have potential hollows.

Category 3 Regrowth and Advanced Regrowth trees with moderate/high levels of defects that will provide increasing levels of habitat in the future.

A pictorial reference guide for these types of trees is presented at Annexure A.

With reference to these management systems for enhancing protection of HCVs, VicForests

has revised its approach to adaptive silviculture, to take account specifically of the presence

(or absence) of Habitat Trees, as well as HCVs more broadly, in the selection of appropriate

systems.

VicForests also notes there are other factors beyond HCVs that need to be considered in the

decision of silviculture systems, e.g. social/community values, which may further influence the

selection of the most appropriate system for the coupe in the context of the broader landscape.

14 Note VicForests has maintained certification to the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme (formerly known as

the Australian Forestry Standard) since 2007.

9 | P a g e


4 Adaptive silvicultural systems

Following its review of silvicultural regimes and the concurrent review of protection measures

for HCVs, VicForests has redefined a suite of harvesting and regeneration systems for

application across State forests in Victoria. A comparison of the previous suite of silvicultural

systems (Figure 5) with the more adaptive suite of systems (Figure 6) is set out below.

The redefined suite of systems features a shift and increasing focus on variable retention

harvesting and regeneration methods that will reduce the use of post-harvest burn operations.

Figure 5. Previous profile of the main types of silviculture systems applied by VicForests

Figure 6. Overview of VicForests' shift to a more adaptive suite of silviculture regimes

Descriptions of the five main types of harvesting and regeneration systems are provided.

10 | P a g e


1.1. System 1: Clear-felling and seed tree operations

Broad description: Rocketman coupe, North East region

Silvicultural system 1 is based on systems known as clear-felling and (improved) seed-tree operations.

This type of system has been the most commonly employed harvesting method in Ash forests since the 1960s, principally because it has demonstrably been the most reliable method for achieving successful forest regrowth after harvesting and is the safest harvesting system for forest workers in tall Ash forests.

Primary forest types: Tops seed tree coupe, Toolangi district

This system is designed primarily for relatively uniform regrowth Ash forests, which require a receptive seedbed and substantial gap sizes for effective regeneration. In these forests, there are typically few if any hollow bearing trees, and coupes are marked out to ensure any HCVs are retained and protected outside the net coupe area.

For the near future, clear-felling systems will remain an important part of VicForests operations, predominantly in tall Ash forests. However, as a key part of its focus on developing a more adaptive suite of harvest systems, VicForests is working to:

• restrict use of clear-felling to the uniform regrowth Ash forests, and

• reduce the use of high intensity regeneration burns and post-harvest seed sowing.

Prescriptions for Ash forests: Prescriptions for Mixed species:

• Maintain average of 30+% (by area) of retained tree cover across gross coupe area

• Ensure gaps between retained vegetation do not exceed 150 metres, as required by the Code of Practice

• Use of regeneration burns, where required or otherwise most prudent, in conformance with VicForests guidelines for managing HCVs.

• Maintain average of 30+% (by area) of retained tree cover across gross coupe area

• Ensure gap between retained vegetation (living trees, dispersed or in patches) does not exceed 150 metres, as required by the Code of Practice

• Use of cool to moderate regeneration burns, in conformance with VicForests instructions on the protection of HCVs.

Evaluation sites: Evaluation sites:

• Greendale (2019) • Guitar Solo (2018)

11 | P a g e


1.2. System 2: Variable retention 20%

Broad description: Guitar Solo, Marysville, North East region

Silvicultural system 2 is based on the Regrowth Retention Harvesting (RRH) system, which is a form of variable retention harvesting. The retention of trees is principally in patches that collectively constitute an average of around 20% of basal area within the net coupe area.

Retention harvesting is an alternative to traditional clear-fell harvesting methods and aims to mimic natural disturbances as well as protect biodiversity values. From above the retained areas may often look like islands and they are retained to help ensure older forest develops in areas available for timber harvesting.

Note retention of living trees across the coupe is 20+% of pre-harvest basal area

Primary forest types: HCV considerations:

Like System 1, this system is primarily suited to Ash forest types where there are some hollow bearing trees to be retained to provide for habitat or other values. VicForests is using retention harvesting to ensure older forest elements are retained and recruited in areas available for timber harvesting.

To meet these aims, this system typically involves the retention of forest patches so that more than 50% of the harvested area is located within one tree length of retained forest.

This new method comes as a result of extensive research as part of VicForests’ collaborative Retention Harvesting Project, community and expert feedback and strong support and advice from other forest management organisations, such as Sustainable Timber Tasmania (formerly Forestry Tasmania).

VicForests will use this new harvesting system in at least 50% of the area harvested of Ash within the range of the Leadbeater’s Possum to assist in the possum’s recovery and persistence, by providing increased connectivity of habitat, and the re-colonisation of areas following harvesting.


• Retain average of 20+% (by basal area) of net coupe area across the unit planning area, and focusing on retaining and protecting all hollow bearing trees where they exist within coupe area

• Ensure gaps between retained vegetation (aggregated retention) do not exceed 150 metres, as required by the Code of Practice

• Increasing preference for cooler burns for regeneration.

• Retain average of 20+% (by basal area) across the unit planning area, evenly dispersed or in patches, and focusing on retaining and protecting all HBTs where they exist within coupe area

• Ensure gaps between retained vegetation (living trees, dispersed or in patches) do not exceed 150 metres, as required by the Code of Practice

• Use of cool to moderate regeneration burns, in conformance with VicForests instructions on the protection of HCVs.


• Skinny Jim (2016) • Puerile (2018)

12 | P a g e



Broad description: Drum Beat, Marysville North East region

Silvicultural system 3 is based on the principles of variable retention and aggregated retention. The retention of trees is principally in patches and corridors that collectively comprise an average of around 40% of basal area within the net coupe area.

Silviculture system 3 represents a step up in the level of retention of trees within coupes, and further reduction in the use of high intensity regeneration burns, compared to system 2. System 3 is used where there is a higher intensity of HBTs or other values that warrant additional protection through these measures.

Note retention of living trees across the coupe is approx. 40+% of pre-harvest basal are

Primary forest types: Senegal, Marysville, North East region

Silvicultural system 3 is suited to a range of forest types, including mixed species (Low Elevation Mixed Species (LEMS) and High Elevation Mixed Species (HEMS)), where there are hollow bearing trees to be retained to provide for habitat or other values.

Typically, there will be an increasing density of HBT 1 and HBT 2 trees, with young HBT 2 and 3 trees representing recruitment candidates for the next cycle. VicForests is using retention harvesting to ensure older forest elements are retained and recruited in areas available for timber harvesting.


• Retain average of 40+% (basal area) of net coupe area across retention unit, preferably in clumps and patches; focusing on retaining HBTs where they exist within coupe area

• Ensure gap between retained vegetation (aggregated retention) does not exceed 150 metres, as required by the Code of Practice


• Maintain average of 40+% basal area of retained tree cover net, evenly dispersed, across the forest block


• Use of cool burns for regeneration and an increasing use of mechanical treatment options to minimise or replace burning.


• Corkscrew (2018) • Turkey Neck (2017)

13 | P a g e



Broad description: Variable retention, Dogs Back coupe

Silvicultural system 4 is based on the principles of variable retention and aggregated retention harvesting. The retention of trees in this system will typically be dispersed or in patches and corridors that collectively comprise an average of approximately half (50%) of the pre-harvest basal area within the net coupe area.

.

Silviculture system 4 builds upon system 3, with a further increase in the level of retention of trees within coupes and the use of mechanical site disturbance techniques for effective regeneration in gaps and under retained trees. In this context, system 4 represents a retention level that is approaching that of single tree selection, while maintaining options for harvesting patches such as in group selection systems.

Primary forest types:

Silvicultural system 4 is well suited to a range of forest types, including mixed species (comprising LEMS and HEMS), where there are hollow bearing trees to be retained to provide for habitat or other values.

Typically, there will be an increasing density of HBT 1 and HBT 2 trees, with young HBT 2 and HBT 3 trees representing recruitment candidates for the next cycle. VicForests is using retention harvesting to ensure older forest elements are retained and recruited in areas available for timber harvesting.


• Retain average of 50+% (basal area) of net coupe area across the unit area, preferably in clumps and patches, and focusing on retaining and protecting HBTs where they exist within coupes

• Ensure gap between retained vegetation (aggregated retention) does not exceed 150 metres, as required by the Code of Practice


• Maintain average of 50+% basal area of retained tree cover, combining dispersed and patches evenly dispersed, across the forest block


• Increasing use of mechanical treatment options for regeneration.


• SSP sites (Tanjil Bren), Snowy Rd, Poke • Dogs Back (2013)

14 | P a g e


1.5. System 5: Single tree selection

Broad description: Barjarg Flats coupe, Strathbogie Ranges

Silvicultural system 5 is based on the single tree selection harvesting system.

Single tree selection is a low intensity method of harvesting where individual or small groups of trees are selected and removed within an area planned for timber harvesting. This method looks for trees within areas of forest that contains a mix of different age classes ranging from 5-year old regrowth trees to old growth trees that have already begun forming natural hollows.

The trees are selected based on diameter and condition, with smaller and younger trees retained to grow on to the next harvest and the old growth trees left for future species habitat.

By selecting from the remaining competing trees, the retained trees have access to enough light, moisture and soil nutrients to respond and grow larger.

Primary forest types:

Single tree selection is used when the forest consists of an uneven aged stand, generally mixed species, ranging from young regrowth trees to individual old growth habitat trees, and potentially a mix of everything in between. This method seeks to maintain this uneven age class, for forest biodiversity, and the potential for ongoing, single tree selection over time. Dominant trees in these forests are typically aged between 60 and 120 years.

Harvesting operations comprise low intensity extraction of trees with high quality sawlogs as well as some other trees of low habitat value and economic value that can be removed to enhance the stand dynamics. When groups of trees are harvested during this process, the mechanical disturbance allows a seedbed for new seedlings to naturally establish and regenerate the site.


• Note: This system is predominantly for Mixed species forests in Victoria.

To the extent it could be applied in Victorian Ash forests, the prescriptions would be aligned with those for Mixed species (refer opposite).

• Maintain average of 60% basal area of retained tree cover, evenly dispersed, across the forest block


• Predominate use of mechanical disturbance for any regeneration requirements and use of cool burns if required for fuel management.


2000s thinning operations at Matlock Barjarg (2018)

15 | P a g e


5 Occupational safety considerations

VicForests aims for zero harm in all that it does and, as an organisation, is committed to

supporting a culture of leadership that embraces health and safety.

As an example of this, both the People, Safety and Culture Committee and the Environment

and Stakeholders Committee of the VicForests Board, are responsible for monitoring the

effectiveness of VicForests’ practices to manage occupational health, safety and

environmental risks. To do this the Committees monitor the effectiveness of critical systems

and review significant incident investigations and corrective actions. This is achieved by

reviewing incident statistics, statements from management, audit reports, changes in

regulation and case law at regular committee meetings.

VicForests has identified that its adaptive silviculture approach, and an increasing focus on

retaining habitat trees – including old dead stags as well as living trees and recruitment trees

– presents some heightened safety risks to consider. While VicForests has incorporated

retained vegetation into its coupe designs as part of standard practice, it is now increasing its

focus on variable retention within and across the harvesting areas. Compared to clear-felling,

seed tree retention, and the RRH system, the increasing focus on variable retention and

single tree selection will mean that field operations, including coupe marking, harvesting, post-

harvest surveys and regeneration operations will all need to be conducted with increased

proximity to standing trees, including older senescing trees or damaged trees that will be more

prone to dropping limbs or branches, or carrying ‘hang ups’.

Senescing Mountain Ash trees Senescing Messmate near Swifts Creek

Credit: M Ryan, VicForests Credit: M Ryan, VicForests

While VicForests is committed to ensuring protection for HCVs, it is also fully committed to

ensuring a safe work place for its personnel and contractors. In this context, VicForests will:

• ensure the selection of appropriate systems incorporates consideration of safety;

• ensure specific focus on safety in all phases of planning and coupe design, including

aggregation and buffers for retained trees, and the placement of roads and landings; and

• continue to develop and deploy technologies to minimise risks associated with personnel

operating under or close to retained trees, e.g. drone mapping and mechanised harvesting.

16 | P a g e


6 Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

VicForests’ operations are regularly inspected and scrutinised, through extensive internal and

external certification processes, and regulatory audits taking place each year. Under its

Responsible Wood certification for forest management, VicForests is subject to independent

evaluation audits on a regular basis and surveillance audits every year.

DELWP conducts regular audits of VicForests’ operations as part of its Forest Audit Program.

These audits assess VicForests compliance with the regulations which govern native timber

harvesting in Victoria and are performed each year along with VicForests’ own internal

auditing. VicForests is also subject to periodic audits by the Victorian Auditor General’s Office

(VAGO), as and when required.

In addition to compliance audits, VicForests has established a range of research projects

aimed at continuous improvement of its practices and silvicultural systems, with a focus on

effectiveness in terms of biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management.

These projects are managed by VicForests’ Environmental Performance team and specialists

in Biodiversity Conservation and Research.

Under its FSC 2020 Roadmap, VicForests has committed to ongoing improvements in its

operations and engagement to ensure it is in the best position to achieve certification to the

Controlled Wood standard in the future. The key focus areas for this program comprise

adaptive silvicultural regimes and HCV retention, protection and compliance, as well as

enhanced stakeholder engagement to support all aspects of VicForests’ forest management.

As part of its Roadmap, VicForests is identifying measures to guide and mark its progress

across the three key focus areas, which will be monitored by internal compliance and

certification staff. This monitoring and assessment will, in turn, inform training plans and

implementation of guidelines and methods.

In this context, VicForests has identified a range of evaluation sites, which comprise

designated coupe areas in which assessments of forest conditions can be assessed at two or

more stages of the harvesting and regeneration cycle:

(i) pre-harvest condition

(ii) post-harvest condition, prior to regeneration

(iii) post-regeneration treatments.

VicForests has established sets of monitoring procedures that relate to silvicultural outcomes

and biodiversity conservation. These procedures are incorporated in the company’s Operating

Procedures and in its proposed systems for Management of High Conservation Values15. In

accordance with these systems, a monitoring plan will be set up for monitoring the

effectiveness of adaptive silviculture and its application across the footprint of VicForests’

operations. The monitoring plan will incorporate a program that is expected to include:

• Mapping sequences over time, using GIS and remote sensing technologies

• Field based assessments and remeasures of habitat trees across multiple HCV categories.

Monitoring and evaluation of evaluation sites will be supported by operational feedback from

other coupe sites and incorporated into regular feedback loops for VicForests’ management to

continue developing its program of adaptive silviculture and HCV retention and protection.

15 VicForests, 2019. High Conservation Values Management System [Draft for public consultation, March 2019].

i | P a g e


Annexure A: Guidance on VicForests’ habitat tree categories

ii | P a g e


iii | P a g e


--

Overview of harvesting and regeneration systems · Regeneration Systems 8 March 2019 Version 1.0...

Documents

Transcript of Overview of harvesting and regeneration systems · Regeneration Systems 8 March 2019 Version 1.0...