Inter-rotational forest planning on steep, fragile country

Authors: Chris Goulding
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2015, Issue N.Z.J.For. 60(2) 2015, pp 2, Aug 2015
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: The harvesting and re-establishment of forest plantations on steep country with fragile soil is one of the more significant challenges facing New Zealand forest management. There are productivity, safety, environmental and social issues with current logging systems. There is a vulnerability to severe storm events in the period between when the existing tree roots have died and when the newly established crop forms a continuous root mass and overhead canopy. Not only are many steep country ‘back-block’ harvesting operations barely profitable if compounded silviculture costs are included, but when erosion and debris-flow occurs, even if rarely, they attract public attention and the sector’s ‘licence to operate’ is threatened. Stand productivity can be severely affected by mineral-soil and organic matter disturbance, and inadequate practice on poor soils can reduce the future sustainable harvest and the financial return.

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