Forestry Australia Challenges Generalised Claims
Forestry Australia has released a new evidence review challenging claims that timber harvesting significantly increases bushfire risk across Australian forests.
The review finds that much of the evidence supporting these claims is derived from tall wet eucalypt forests in south-eastern Australia that have been previously clearfelled. It argues that applying these findings universally is inappropriate.
The review highlights that analyses on a landscape scale, including those of the 2019-20 bushfires, reveal that extreme fire weather and topography mainly drive fire severity, with timber harvesting having a comparatively minor effect.
Dr Michelle Freeman, President of Forestry Australia, explained, “The purpose of this evidence review is to unpack the science. It looks carefully at what the evidence does and does not show.”
Diverse Forests Require Specific Analysis
According to Dr Freeman, Australia’s forests are highly diverse, and evidence from one forest type should not be generalized across the country. She stated, “Different forest management forms could lead to varying outcomes.”
The review stresses the importance of accurately using fire-related terminology. Misuse of terms like fire risk, severity, intensity, and flammability can lead to public misunderstanding, affecting sound policy-making.
Forestry Australia is calling on journalists, policymakers, and community leaders to engage with the full body of evidence to support informed discussions on forest management and bushfire risk.
The review, titled ‘Contested Evidence About Timber Harvesting and Bushfire Risk in Australian Landscapes,’ examines claims that timber harvesting increases forest flammability and bushfire risk. It highlights that many public claims rely on evidence from a particular forest type and management system, and these findings are often presented as though they apply universally across all Australian forests.
Forestry Australia emphasises that complex forest and fire dynamics cannot be reduced to a simple claim that timber harvesting always increases fire risk. Dr Freeman stated, “Australia’s forests are highly diverse. Evidence from one forest type, management system or landscape context should not be generalized across the country without careful qualification.”
The review also underscores the significance of using fire terminology accurately. Dr Freeman noted, “Terms such as fire risk, fire severity, fire intensity, and flammability have different meanings. When these terms are used interchangeably, public understanding can be skewed.”
