Researchers are warning against a recent proposal by Australia’s forestry industry to remove trees from native forests, potentially including national parks, to claim carbon credits.
Forestry Australia, the industry body behind the proposal, argues that the method would make ecosystems more resilient and help fight climate change.
However, decades of scientific research suggest that the proposal could have the opposite effect, Prof. David Lindenmayer from the Australian National University and Prof. Brendan Mackey and Dr. Heather Keith from Griffith University said in an article published in The Conversation.
Studies show that practices like “adaptive harvesting” and “forest thinning” can make forests more fire-prone, degrade forest health, and release carbon during tree removal, undermining any intended climate benefits.
Moreover, Australia’s declining biodiversity and emissions-reduction goals are at risk if native forests are harvested further.
For these reasons, the authors of the article argue that Forestry Australia’s proposal “does not make economic or climate sense” and should be rejected.
Relevant: Australia’s Carbon Credit Scheme Described As A ‘Catastrophe’ In New Research
Australia’s carbon credit scheme allows businesses and landowners to earn financial rewards by undertaking projects that reduce emissions or store carbon.
Forestry Australia’s proposal includes activities like adaptive harvesting and forest thinning in national parks, state forests, and private land, with land managers being rewarded with carbon credits.
The organization claims this approach would lower carbon emissions and improve carbon storage while still providing wood products.
However, adaptive harvesting, which includes selectively logging older trees and minimizing areas cleared for roads, is scientifically linked to negative environmental impacts.
Thinning, which involves removing trees to promote the growth of healthier ones, is also concerning, as it can make forests more susceptible to wildfires and disrupt habitats for endangered species.
Forestry Australia’s plan also includes harvesting higher-grade timber for long-lasting products like roof trusses, but it is not clear whether demand for native forest timber justifies this, given that plantation forests already supply 90% of Australia’s logs.
As Australia targets a 43% emissions reduction by 2030, the co-authors of the article caution that this plan could be a setback, with logging releasing stored carbon and threatening native forest ecosystems.
Another risk is that carbon credits could be awarded for activities and emission reductions that would have occurred regardless of the initiative.
Read more: CO2 Shortage In Australia And New Zealand Reveals Critical Supply Issues
