Hi Folks, 

Re: Timberlands in New Zealand. 

"Lincoln, 10 August 1999 - Even low-intensity logging will change the
composition of red beech forests in the Maruia Valley, according to a new
model prepared by Landcare Research. The model shows the number of larger,
older trees is likely to be reduced under most logging options. 

"The new model allows forest management options to be explored by any
interested party," said Dr Andy Pearce, Chief Executive of Landcare Research. 

The Landcare Research model is an extension of the one used by Timberlands
West Coast. A free copy of the model is available from Landcare Research web
site: http://www.landcare.cri.nz. 

Landcare Research produced the model to allow anyone to explore the
tradeoffs between harvesting and maintaining the forest's current
composition, and to enable public debate about acceptable tradeoffs. 

"Our model shows that the number of large trees will decline even if the
rate of harvest is less than one tree per hectare per year," said Dr Murray
Efford, the maker of the model. 

"The Timberlands model has suggested that low-intensity logging would allow
the present size structure of the forest to persist. This no longer appears
to be the case. Our model suggests the forests will progressively lose their
old-growth character. How quickly this will happen depends on how many trees
are felled in each 15-year felling cycle," said Dr Efford. 

"Most of the wood volume in these forests is in trees that are more than 200
years old. The largest trees in these forests are more than 400 years old.
And these large, old trees provide nest sites for native birds and bats, so
they play an important part in the ecosystem," he said. 

ENDS 

For further information contact:
Dr Andy Pearce
Chief Executive,
Landcare Research.
Lincoln.
Ph 025 324 746.


Dr Murray Efford,
Scientist,
Landcare Research.
Dunedin.
Ph 03 477 4050.


"When an idea is new, it is seen as crazy. This is followed by a period in
which it is viewed as dangerous. After this, there is a period of
uncertainty. In the end, you can't find anyone who disagreed with it in the
first place".  

Stephen J. Gould



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