Australia threatens to weaken forest laws

doi:10.1126/science.abk3018

GSTDTAP > 气候变化

DOI	10.1126/science.abk3018
	Australia threatens to weaken forest laws
	David Lindenmayer; Chris Taylor
	2021-08-13
发表期刊	Science
出版年	2021
英文摘要	Victoria is one of Australia's most forested jurisdictions. The state supports 7.2 million ha of forest, of which 1.8 million ha are broadly allocated for logging ([ 1 ][1]). The native forests of Victoria are critical for water production, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation ([ 2 ][2]). Victoria has taken steps to protect its natural forests by committing to phasing out all native forest logging across the state by 2030 and to substantially reducing current levels of cutting starting in 2024 ([ 3 ][3]). However, Victoria is now updating its forest code ([ 4 ][4]). Instead of strengthening much-needed protections, the state is considering changes that would weaken current regulations and put its forests in renewed jeopardy. Motivated by rapidly dwindling timber supplies ([ 5 ][5]), policy-makers in Victoria have planned changes that will permit environmentally harmful practices that are currently prohibited. For example, logging is illegal within water catchments where terrain exceeds 30 degrees in slope ([ 6 ][6], [ 7 ][7]) to limit erosion, conserve aquatic ecosystems, and ensure water quality for human consumption. Under the revised laws, these slope restrictions will be relaxed. The current policy to protect forest on steep slopes, although scientifically sound, has been poorly enforced. Recent terrain analysis indicates that 75% of 204 logged sites (called cutblocks) in one Victorian water catchment were on areas steeper than 30 degrees; logging of these areas therefore breached current laws ([ 8 ][8]). A ministerial review ([ 9 ][9]) and legal cases have found that logging frequently breached codes of practice ([ 10 ][10]). Australia has been pilloried for its record on climate inaction ([ 11 ][11]), biodiversity loss, and under-spending on species conservation ([ 12 ][12]). Weakened forest laws will further accelerate biodiversity decline. Victoria's government must resist industry pressure to degrade environmental laws and weaken codes of forest practice and instead focus on strengthening enforcement of current laws. 1. [↵][13]Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria, “State of the Forests 2018” (Government of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, 2018); [www.ces.vic.gov.au/reports/state-forests-2018][14]. 2. [↵][15]1. H. Keith et al ., Nat. Ecol. Evol. 1, 1683 (2017). [OpenUrl][16] 3. [↵][17]Government of Victoria, “Timber harvesting regulation” (2021); [www.vic.gov.au/timber-harvesting][18]. 4. [↵][19]Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, “2021 proposed variation of the Code of Practice for Timber Production” (2021); . 5. [↵][20]1. Jaclyn Symes , “Review to protect Victoria's forests, jobs and timber industry” (2020); [www.jaclynsymes.com.au/media-releases/review-to-protect-victorias-forests-jobs-and-timber-industry/][21]. 6. [↵][22]Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries “Code of Practice for Timber Production 2014” (2014); [www.forestsandreserves.vic.gov.au/_\_data/assets/pdf\_file/0016/29311/Code-of-Practice-for-Timber-Production-2014.pdf][23]. 7. [↵][24]Office of the Conservation Regulator, “Regulating timber harvesting on steep slopes” (Office of the Conservation Regulator, Melbourne, Australia, 2021). 8. [↵][25]1. C. Taylor, 2. D. B. Lindenmayer , Environ. Sci. Pol. 120, 204 (2021). [OpenUrl][26] 9. [↵][27]1. J. Brockington, 2. N. Finnegen, 3. P. Rozen , “Independent review of timber harvesting regulation: Panel report to the Secretary of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning” (Victorian Government Library Service, Melbourne, Australia, 2018). 10. [↵][28]1. M. Jagot, 2. J. E. Griffiths, 3. R. M. Derrington , FCAFC 92 Cost Order (Federal Court of Australia, Melbourne, Australia, 2021). 11. [↵][29]1. M. Mazengarb , “Australia ranked dead last in world for climate action in latest UN report,” Renew Economy (2021); . 12. [↵][30]1. A. Waldron et al ., Nature 551, 364 (2017). 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领域	气候变化 ; 资源环境
URL	查看原文
引用统计
文献类型	期刊论文
条目标识符	http://119.78.100.173/C666/handle/2XK7JSWQ/335864
专题	气候变化资源环境科学
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	David Lindenmayer,Chris Taylor. Australia threatens to weaken forest laws[J]. Science,2021.
APA	David Lindenmayer,&Chris Taylor.(2021).Australia threatens to weaken forest laws.Science.
MLA	David Lindenmayer,et al."Australia threatens to weaken forest laws".Science (2021).