Logging cycles weaken forest carbon storing features: The same ANU study has found that the carbon store of these forests is dramatically reduced to around 300-500 tonnes of carbon per hectare if they are subject to 80 year logging cycles. “Logging is clearly contributing massively to global warming” said Matthew Wright, lead campaigner for Beyond Zero Emissions. “Unfortunately Tasmania has suffered under state and federal governments conspiring with the likes of the Gunns Corporation. Some of the worst logging in the world is occurring in that state."
Logging releases GHG, causes heating: “Native forests create clouds and humidity which result in local precipitation. Those same clouds also reflect large amounts of sunlight back into space. Logging not only releases phenomenal amounts of naturally sequestered carbon from forest soils and canopy, but also allows greater light penetration through the atmosphere causing heating and a positive feedback loop".
(References: Dean C, Roxburgh S, Mackey B (2003), Growth Modelling of Eucalyptus regnans for Carbon Accounting at the Landscape Scale, (CRC for Greenhouse Accounting, Australian National University) Roxburgh S, Wood S, Mackey B, Woldendorp G, Gibbons P (2006), Assessing the carbon sequestration potential of managed forests: a case study from temperate Australia, Journal of Applied Ecology.
For comment ring: Matt Wright 0421 616 733, Adrian Whitehead 0403 735 118, Adrian Whitehead is currently touring Tasmania giving a series of zero emission talks. website: http://www.beyondzeroemissions.org Beyond Zero Emissions is an independent Zero Emission Minus Climate Change campaign. This document is available at http://www.beyondzeroemissions.org/Press-Releases)