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What are Rainforest buffers?


Mixed rainforest(or mixed forest)

Mixed rainforest(or mixed forest) is a rainforest classification where eucalypt forest grows in combination with Cool Temperate rainforest species.

The two dominant places where this types of rainforest exists are the Errinundra Plateau in East Gippsland and on the slopes of Mt Baw Baw in the Central Highlands.

Note:the official definition for this rainforest type is "mixed forest". VRN has changed the name to acknowledge the rainforest.


Eucalypt trees grow in combination with a myrtle beech cool temperate rainforest under story community.This mixed rainforest in located in state forest found at the headwaters of the Thomson river on Mt Baw Baw. This rainforest is also within Melbourne's domestic water supply catchment. The Victorian State Government still allows clearfell logging of this type of rainforest which is also the habitat for the endangered Baw Baw frog.

 


Cool Temperate Mixed Rainforest at Cobb Hill on the Errinundra Plateau. Eucalypt trees grow in combination with a southern sassafrass rainforest community. The Victorian State Government still allows clearfell logging within this type of rainforest.

Government still allows logging of mixed rainforest

The presence of eucalypt trees in mixed rainforest communities has resulted in on going pressure from the native forest logging and woodchip industry to ignore the state governments own planning process that are suppose to protect these forests. The following three examples are given:

  1. The definition for rainforest used in the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act recognises mixed rainforest. However the Victorian Governments own planning processes such as the current 1996 Code of Forest Practices do not officially acknowledge mixed rainforest, and hence this rainforest type is still being clearfell logged.
  2. Cool Temperate Rainforest (nomination 207) was listed as a threatened community under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act in 1992. All threatened species and threatening process listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 must have an Action Statement completed 'as soon as possible' after listing. An Action Statement would set out management prescriptions to protect rainforest from logging practices. After more that 15 years, such an Action Statement has has yet to be completed.
  3. The 1997 Central Highlands Forest Management Plan has a requirement to protect all mixed rainforest (mixed forests) once mapping of this vegetation has been completed. However a decade later, this mapping has still not been done so logging is allowed continue.


Clearfell logging of mixed rainforest at Mt Baw Baw 2006. This image show mixed rainforest species such as myrtle beech pushed over in the clearfell logging operation. No buffer was applied ot the mixed rainforest.

See video of this rainforest logging. (22 sec 1.4mb download)


Close up of rainforest species myrtle beech recently pushed over during the clearfell logging of mixed rainforest at Mt Baw Baw 2006.

See video of this rainforest logging. (22 sec 1.4mb download)

VicForest who conduct the clearfell logging on public land on behalf of the Victorian public say they can continue to log this rainforest in the absence of mapping and strict planning prescriptions. The lack of rules for the loggers is a direct result of failure to follow though with the governments own planning processes.