sustainable forest management - Forestry Tasmania

Threatened species management
Forestry Tasmania is pro-active in the management of
threatened species and applies management at both a
strategic and local level. At the strategic level, Forestry
Tasmania, together with specialists from the Forest
Practices Authority and the Threatened Species Section
(DPIW) have developed a number of strategic plans for
the management of threatened flora and fauna species in
state forests (e.g. Thismia rodwayii and Simsons stag beetle).
At the local level, threatened species identified through
searches undertaken for planning purposes or incidentally,
can be managed in consultation with the Forest Practices
Authority. For example, all production coupes are searched
for wedge-tailed eagle nests prior to harvesting and nest
reserves and exclusion zones are designated around all nest
sites.
Threatened species (flora and fauna) research highlights for
2007/08 included:
• The Threatened Species Section undertook swift
parrot breeding surveys of the southern forests during
the 2007/08 breeding season to determine which areas
were being used for breeding, and the characteristics
of areas used for foraging and nesting.
• A research project was established to monitor
over time the implementation and effectiveness of
current prescriptions applied for the management
of the Bornemisszas stag beetle through surveying a
specific harvesting area where prescriptions have been
applied.
• In collaboration with DPIW and other expert
specialists, a management plan for Simsons stag beetle
(Hoplogonus simsoni) in state forests was developed.
This was added to the Public Authority Management
Agreement between Forestry Tasmania and DPIW.
The 10-year plan provides a strategic framework
for the conservation management of Simsons stag
beetle habitat across spatial and temporal scales.
This includes considering the extent and quality of
habitat within the species range, habitat reservation
levels, species habitat requirements, and provides
for the protection of key areas, and provision of
corridors and refuges to ensure species dispersal and
re-colonisation in areas where native forest harvesting
is permitted. Strategic plans are based on translating
research findings and sound ecological principles
Table 5. Threatened species management summary
into management prescriptions. They are an effective
way of achieving good conservation management of
threatened species within managed landscapes.
As a partner in the Cooperative Research Centre for
Forestry, Forestry Tasmania contributes to and benefits
from the knowledge and information that is generated
through its research programs. In the case of the Tasmanian
masked owl, the collective knowledge is limited, and the
Cooperative Research Centre for Forestry’s “trees in the
landscape” research program has been taking a closer
look at the key factors affecting the masked owl. Based
on estimates of home range size and the area of suitable
habitat, there are approximately 1300 mature individuals
and therefore the masked owl meets the criteria for listing
as “endangered” because its population is less than 2500
individuals.
Flora Fauna Total
Total strategic management plans 1 5 13 18
Research in 2007/2008 2 0 4 4
Habitat surveys in 2007/2008 3 2,218 ha 40,652 ha 42,870 ha
New sites recorded in 2006/2007 104 82 186
Threatened Species working groups/
2 8 25
meetings in 2007/2008
1. Strategic Management Plans include approved and draft (being implemented) Recovery Plans, PAMAs,
Strategic Management Agreements and Management Plans, agreed jointly between Forestry Tasmania, Forest
Practices Authority, Threatened Species Section, DPIW.
2. Includes research studies conducted, funded, participated or initiated by FT, or where FT was represented.
3. Surveys conducted in state forests by qualified experts.