NOTES OF FACTORS INFLUENCING THE STRAIGHTNESS OF THE INTERNODES OF PINUS RADIATA

Two prerequisites for multiple-use management of Australian forests are an increased knowledge of the biology of the forest fauna and of the effects of various forestry practices on their populations. Road construction, stand improvement operations and selective logging, clear-felling for woodchips or establishment of indigenous or exotic plantations, and prescribed (control) burning all affect wildlife according to the degree that each species depends on the forest as habitat and the degree to which the forest is changed, particularly in plant species diversity and structure. Their general effect, however, is to initiate or reset a succession of different plant communities and associated wildlife populations in which the types and numbers of animals present depend upon the age and size of the forest and the diversity of vegetation (especially the type and density of understorey) present.

Because each species varies in its dependence on the forest as habitat it is clearly impossible to satisfy all their requirements by a single management plan. The setting aside of a representative series of large reserves and National Parks, establishment of individual or groups of species as the objectives of management programmes in some areas and modification of existing forestry practices, however, should allow both commercial timber production and conservation of wildlife in Australian forests.     

Expenditure on forestry and forest products research in Australia 2007–2008

Total expenditure on forestry research and forest products research in 2007–2008 in Australia was $87.8 million. This comprised $61.0 million on forestry research and $26.8 million on forest products research and was estimated using the same methods as in the several previous assessments (Quick and Booth 1987; Lambert and Turner 1992; Turner and Lambert 1997,2005). When some peripheral expenditure such as support, administration and surveys were included, the total expenditure increased to about $105.8 million. The total expenditure represents an annual average increase of about 3% since 1982 but a slow decline (0.45% per annum) in adjusted terms (1982 dollars). About 50 organisations reported undertaking forestry and or forest products research, while other organisations provided funding for research. The expenditure was attributed to four broad sectors undertaking research—Commonwealth, state, university and private—and also to broad research areas (native forests, exotic species plantations, native species plantations and environment). Research on native forests and exotic species plantations generally declined, whereas that on surveys in native forests and native species in plantations increased from 2001–2002 to 2007–2008. Similarly, research capacity declined in traditionally strong research areas such as pests and diseases and fire behaviour, and increased in energy areas such as carbon and forest bio-energy. About 600 full-time-effective researchers and technicians were involved in research in 2007–2008, plus support and management staff. The staffing numbers of individual organisations ranged from single individuals to more than fifty.

In 2007–2008, about 52% of the research funds were provided directly or indirectly by the Commonwealth Government, 28% by state governments and 20% by private companies. Total expenditure on forestry and forest products research ($87.8 million) averaged $5.78 ha^?1 of managed forest. The forestry research expenditure according to forest type comprised $14.80 ha^?1 on exotic species plantations, $36.90 ha^?1 on native species plantations and Total expenditure on forestry research and forest products research in 2007–2008 in Australia was $87.8 million. This comprised $61.0 million on forestry research and $26.8 million on forest products research and was estimated using the same methods as in the several previous assessments (Quick and Booth 1987; Lambert and Turner 1992; Turner and Lambert 1997,2005). When some peripheral expenditure such as support, administration and surveys were included, the total expenditure increased to about $105.8 million. The total expenditure represents an annual average increase of about 3% since 1982 but a slow decline (0.45% per annum) in adjusted terms (1982 dollars). About 50 organisations reported undertaking forestry and or forest products research, while other organisations provided funding for research. The expenditure was attributed to four broad sectors undertaking research—Commonwealth, state, university and private—and also to broad research areas (native forests, exotic species plantations, native species plantations and environment). Research on native forests and exotic species plantations generally declined, whereas that on surveys in native forests and native species in plantations increased from 2001–2002 to 2007–2008. Similarly, research capacity declined in traditionally strong research areas such as pests and diseases and fire behaviour, and increased in energy areas such as carbon and forest bio-energy. About 600 full-time-effective researchers and technicians were involved in research in 2007–2008, plus support and management staff. The staffing numbers of individual organisations ranged from single individuals to more than fifty.

In 2007–2008, about 52% of the research funds were provided directly or indirectly by the Commonwealth Government, 28% by state governments and 20% by private companies. Total expenditure on forestry and forest products research ($87.8 million) averaged $5.78 ha^?1 of managed forest. The forestry research expenditure according to forest type comprised $14.80 ha^?1 on exotic species plantations, $36.90 ha^?1 on native species plantations and $0.99 ha^?1 on native forests (including ecological and environmental research, and hydrological studies and fauna-flora research). Additionally, there was expenditure of about $0.45 ha^?1 on land-based surveys (mainly biodiversity), primarily in native forests. Total expenditure on forestry and forest products research equated to an average of $3.90 m^?3 of harvested timber. This comprised $1.02 m ³ on timber removals from exotic species plantations, $7.38 m^?3 from native species plantations and $1.90 m^?3 from native forests.     

Session Review

The paper discusses plantations within the context of Australasian forestry and the global environment. Opportunities and benefits plantations might provide in coming decades are explored and attention focussed on areas of concern so as to seek solutions to existing or potential problems. It is a broad brush perspective, sketched against a background of the leading world forestry problems, how to slow rates of deforestation and forest degradation throughout the world, especially in the tropical moist forests, and how to satisfy the ever increasing demand for forest products, and especially the basic needs of the rural poor in developing countries.

The role of plantations in conserving world forests and biodiversity, and their financial, ecological and social costs and benefits are examined. The role Australasia and Australasian foresters might play is discussed in the light of what is seen as an almost inevitable expansion in plantation activity throughout the Asia Pacific region. It is concluded that Australia and New Zealand are well placed to take advantage of opportunities to export plantation-derived forest products. Australasian foresters can play a significant part in expansion of the plantation industry regionally but will need to sell themselves competently in a competitive international market.     

POST-WAR POLICY IN GREAT BRITAIN

In 1989 and 1991 abstracts of postgraduate theses relating to forest science and undertaken in Australia and by Australians in overseas institutions were published in Australian Forestry. The Institute of Foresters of Australia (IFA) subsequently commissioned a more complete compilation for publication on the IFA website for access by the forestry community. The details (full name, year, institution, doctorate or masters degree, field of study, genus and species, rainforest or native forest or plantation) and abstract of each thesis recording research into forestry, forest products or forestry-related topics in Australian universities or by Australians in overseas institutions were collated through direct contact with university libraries or individuals. Records of a total of 964 theses are now on the website of the IFA (www.forestry.org.au/publications/forestry/abstracts). These records are from a total of 35 institutions, of which four provided 67% of all the records; the annual number of theses completed at the latter increased sharply after the mid-1960s. The topics studied were diverse; wildlife and ecology became prominent in later years. Fifty-four percent of studies pertained to native forest (excluding rainforest), 38% to plantations and 8% to rainforest.     

BIENNIAL GENERAL MEETING HELD IN GLEDDEN BUILDING,PERTH, ON SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 15, 1941, AT 4 P.M.

Potential sources of funds for the plantation investor in Tasmania are outlined in relation to the categories of forest ownership: farm forestry, entrepreneurial forestry, industrial forestry and investment forestry.

Assistance schemes developed by the recently created Private Forestry Division of the Tasmanian Forestry Commission are also outlined.

The desirability of private investment in plantations in Tasmania is emphasised, given current financial and advisory services and land availability.     

Thoughts towards a forest wildlife management strategy

Wildlife management is becoming increasingly important in Australian forestry and this paper presents the conceptual framework for a relevant wildlife management strategy. Wildlife management in Australian forests might best be co-ordinated nationally. Because of the changing public perceptions of the role forestry must play in wildlife management in native forest, suggestions are made for the modification of present practice which will benefit both timber and wildlife management. The paper also reviews information requirements, the issues and the concerns important in the determination of such a strategy. Information bases are necessary for sound forest wildlife management. The concepts of minimum viable population and optimum habitat are discussed as well as wildlife management design in terms of zoning and the two integrated methods of core population and dispersed population techniques. It is argued that the standards of forest management have to improve to achieve the necessary balance between timber production and wildlife management. This will require an understanding of the aforementioned two concepts and the options available for integrating wildlife and timber management. Priority should be given to the determination of optimum habitat of species, forest site classification and the ranking of wildlife species according to management need.     

MAINTENANCE COSTS IN SOFTWOOD PLANTATIONS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Maintenance costs in plantation forestry are largely salaries and wages, and therefore efficient management of staff, labour and methods will help to control these costs which in turn significantly affect profitability.

The maintenance costs for softwood plantations in South Australia for three years are given and the costing heads outlined. The manner in which overhead charges are distributed strongly affects maintenance costs.

The relation of these costs to area of forest reserve and manpower usage is discussed.

Fire protection costs are a significant part of the direct costs in annual maintenance. Firebreak maintenance is a regular charge to fire protection and methods of maintaining firebreaks in South Australia are discussed with a view to increased efficiency.

An illustration is given for Mount Gambier Reserve in which more efficient methods of firebreak maintenance have been adopted with a consequent significant reduction in unit costs.

Brief mention is made of the management skills which should be practised by a forest manager in order to improve efficiency and control costs.     

The professional challenge of balancing sustained wood production and ecosystem conservation in the native forests of south-eastern Australia

The forestry profession is under siege from an increasingly aware society motivated by deep concern over the possible environmental effects of logging native forests. The profession lacks the confidence and trust of the wider community. Consequently, forest management and related land-use decisions are surrounded by controversy, conflict, confusion and confrontation.

This paper describes the challenge to the profession, its focus on native forest management, its political and scientific setting in south-eastern Australia, and the potentially pivotal importance to a besieged profession of recent co-operative research initiatives.

Co-operative action is required if the forestry profession is to win the challenge of balancing sustained wood production and ecosystem conservation in the native forests of south-eastern Australia. In particular, the profession should initiate, and expedite, an open investigation of the adequacy of resources (people, operating funds and organisational arrangements) presently allocated to native forest management (planning, operations, research, monitoring, review and re-development). If resources are inadequate and cannot be increased, even by re-deployment, then existing high community expectations based on the new management strategies, codes, etc. must be reduced, perhaps sharply!

Continued action is needed to develop a national strategy based on integrated education and development action; a nationally coordinated program of native forest research; and increased community involvement in identifying management priorities and in accepting the risks associated with strategies and practices adopted.     

Comparing yield estimates derived from LiDAR and aerial photogrammetric point-cloud data with cut-to-length harvester data in a Pinus radiata plantation in Tasmania

Accurate mapping of timber resources in commercial forestry is essential to support planning and management operations of forest growers. Over the last two decades, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems have been successfully deployed for the collection of point-cloud data for accurate modelling of forest attributes that are traditionally obtained from plot-based inventory. In recent years, studies conducted in North America and Scandinavia have shown that three-dimensional point clouds derived from digital aerial photogrammetric (AP) data can be used to model forest attributes with a level of accuracy similar to traditional LiDAR-based approaches. A comparative analysis of the performance of the two point-cloud technologies has never been attempted in Australian plantations. In this study, we compared the performance of LiDAR-based and AP-based point clouds for estimating total recoverable volume in a Pinus radiata plantation at Springfield in north-eastern Tasmania, using volume data collected by harvesting machines as a reference. Our results showed that AP point clouds can be used for mapping total recoverable volume in P. radiata plantations with levels of accuracy that are comparable to LiDAR-based estimates. Plot-level relative root mean squared error (RMSE%) values were 23.85% for LiDAR and ranged from 22.07% to 27.10% for the three AP dense point-cloud settings evaluated. At the stand level, RMSE% decreased to 9.86% and 8.91% for LiDAR and AP, respectively. Both LiDAR-based and AP-based modelled volumes showed a close agreement with volumes measured using harvester head data, demonstrating the potential of AP technology for the management and planning of forestry operations in softwood plantations.     

Silvicultural research for sustained wood production and biosphere conservation in the pine plantations and native eucalypt forests of south-eastern Australia

In the last decade, greatly increased public and political awareness of the need for biosphere conservation has placed strict controls on the productive use of Australia's already limited forest resource. The challenge is considerable. Ultimately, it could mean that much of Australia's native forests will no longer be available for wood production either directly or indirectly through conversion to plantations of pine of eucalyptus.

This paper describes how the Department of Conservation and Environment in the State of Victoria is meeting this challenge for forested public land. Specifically, it addresses silvicultural research: to sustain wood production in second and subsequent rotations of pine plantations; and to balance sustained wood production and ecosystem conservation in native forests.

From a review of field trials and fundamental studies motivated by reports of a “2R-decline” in wood production on sandy soils in South Australia, it is concluded that a serious irreversible decline is unlikely to be caused by pines in themselves. It is more likely to be caused by silvicultural practices that compact the soil and, especially in the case of sandy soils, deplete soil organic matter. A reversible decline is most likely to be due to a water X nutrient interaction related to water consumption by weeds and nutrient losses from practices such as slash burning.

In native forests, Victoria has embarked upon a silvicultural investigation of a magnitude and complexity never before attempted in Australia. The main issues are the use of the clearfelling silvicultural system, and harvesting of residual wood mainly for wood chipping and conversion to pulp and paper products. Organisational arrangements for planning, managing and monitoring the research, with strong community involvement, are described together with the research studies which are based on three main systems; namely: the forest ecosystem; the forest management system; and the socio-economic system. It is concluded that success will require the achievement of high scientific objectivity and strong community involvement.     

Nutrient management of contrasting Acacia mangium genotypes and weed management strategies in South Sumatra,Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Tropical plantations are an important source of forest products both to meet the growing demand for wood, and to facilitate the transition from native forests to more sustainably produced forest resources. Management of these plantations for optimal productivity and resource-use efficiency is vitally important, and nutrient management is a critical component of sustainable plantation production. In this study, we explored the response of Acacia mangium plantations in South Sumatra, Indonesia, to fertiliser and their requirement for fertiliser, focusing on phosphorus (P) at establishment. Almost all plantations across a series of 11 sites were highly responsive to P fertiliser, with nine of the 11 sites having more than double the productivity in P-fertilised treatments at age 1 year compared with control treatments. However, the quantity of P required for 90% of maximum growth was generally low by age 2 or 3 years, and 10 kg P ha^–1 at establishment was sufficient to ensure that at least 90% of maximum growth was captured across all the experimental sites. At a 12^th site, we explored the interactions between genotype and weed control, and found that both effects were additive in the response of the plantations to P, and thus there was no substitutability between management types: weed control, genotype and P needed to be managed in combination to achieve maximum productivity.     

NOTES ON A MONTEREY PINE SEED ORCHARD ON TALLAGANDA STATE FOREST IN NEW SOUTH WALES

The layout, standards of construction and planning of construction of the roads for a new forest plantation calls for an investigation of the requirements for each phase of the plantation. The actual road requirements for each phase can be related to a policy of stage construction.

Although it cannot be assumed that such a policy will always be advisable it has inherent advantages. Capital investment in roads is kept to a minimum consistent with vehicle operation costs and the requirements of management and it allows for flexibility in future planning, particularly in relation to harvesting operations.     

Sustained yield,stand structure,and non-wood options after 110 years of logging in a New South Wales blackbutt forest

The history of forest management and logging regulation in New South Wales is reviewed from 1839 as a preamble to a case study analysis of three decades of measurement data (1960–1990), from over 300 continuous forest inventory (CFI) plots, located in a north coast blackbutt forest.

The plots are located in 22 865 hectares of blackbutt forest in Kendall Management Area (KMA) on the north coast of NSW, where logging has been continuous for 110 years (1880–1990), timber yields have been recorded for the last 70 years of logging, and stand volume, stocking and tree size distribution have been monitored over the last 30 years of logging. The objectives and progress of management practices, aimed at balancing wood yield against growth, and re-ordering stand stocking and size distribution to a predetermined plan are reviewed. Some future management options, including that of ecologically sustainable development, are canvassed.

Although more than 1 000 000 cubic metres of timber were harvested from the KMA over the period 1960 to 1990, indications are that the standing log volume in 1990 had not changed significantly from that standing in the same area in 1960. Thus, in gross terms, growth has balanced harvest over the whole forest in the recent 30-year period. However, there are indications that the forest was overcut prior to 1960.

In line with timber management objectives, both tree size and tree age distribution have been substantially altered toward the concept of an “ideal” stand structure, which has increased the forest growth rate.

Changing markets and community attitudes suggest that some adjustments to the “ideal” structure are warranted. An increase in the stocking density of the smaller trees to allow for increases in thinning for smallwood products, and an increase in the stocking density of the largest trees (greater than 100 cm dbhob) to provide habitat for arboreal wildlife are recommended.

Notwithstanding the long history of wood production, the option to retain many non-wood values (particularly wildlife), still appears to be open. However, management decisions to realise some of these options will need to be made in the near future, preferably within the next two cutting cycles.     

Australian plantation inventory: ownership changes,availability and policy

The Australian National Plantation Inventory has collected and collated plantation information since 1993 and has periodically published forecasts of availability based on those data. This paper outlines the past methodology and summarises updates of the most recent forecasts. The failures of some managed investment scheme (MIS) forestry companies have drawn attention to the risks and difficulties involved in forecasting plantation wood yields for species and areas where few data are available. These issues have important implications for forecasts of availability but several unknowns still exist, especially in relation to future replanting. The accuracy of prospectus forecasts of yields from several MISs is examined. The methods used in national and selected regional forecasts are reviewed and some of the underlying policy issues for Australian plantations and forestry are critically examined.     

Predicting soil depth using simple ground-based measurements of stem shape and taper in the butt swell section of individual Pinus radiata trees

Predicting soil depth using simple ground-based measurements of the tree stem has multiple benefits for precision (site-specific) forest management and estimating carbon stocks of plantation forests. Current methods of mapping soil depth rely on collecting a sufficient density of direct soil measurements, which is expensive and typically not feasible over extensive forest areas. The availability of detailed soil depth information under forest plantations is consequently sparse and this presents a significant impediment to precision forest management and the ability to estimate forest soil carbon stocks. In this study, we propose that the relationship between stem shape and taper in the butt swell of individual Pinus radiata trees and soil depth can be described in a simple empirical model. We demonstrate that shape and taper of the butt-swell section of the tree stem are as robust predictors of soil depth as individual tree height, and also have the advantage of being easy to measure from the ground. This finding has potential benefits for reducing the cost of soil data collection and improving fine-scale forest soil mapping.     

Thoughts on Professionalism and Politics in Forestry

There are 164¹ M ha of native forest across Australia, with 37¹ M ha in private ownership. A further 74¹ M ha are under private management in a variety of leasehold tenures. Across the Regional Forest Agreement (RFA) regions, about 25% of sawlogs (～878 000 m³² y-¹) were sourced from private forest prior to the RFAs. Privately managed forests are an important source of timber in many regions and provide other goods and services, including grazing, honey, water, biodiversity conservation and carbon storage. This report summarises the status and some aspects of management of private forests based on information from the National Forest Inventory and the Comprehensive Regional Assessments (CRA) that underpinned the RFA program. The private commercial native forests are in Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania with smaller areas in Victoria and Western Australia. South Australia and the Northern Territory also have considerable areas of private forest, but only a small proportion could support commercial timber production. In most regions there is a relatively even distribution of the principal forest types on public and private land, but commonly some forest types in private ownership are either absent or poorly represented on public land. A number of RFAs include specific actions to conserve examples of these.nnn

About 32% of the forests studied for RFAs are in private ownership, but generally forest use options considered only public native forests. However, because ecological vegetation classes were mapped for all tenures in all regions, significant information was generated on the distribution and conservation values of private forests. There were also timber assessments at the strategic level in some regions, and private timber production was documented for most regions.

Management and disturbance history of private forests is overall not well documented. Disturbances such as fire and grazing, however, commonly cause impacts that differ from conditions in similar forest types on public land. Substantial areas of private forest have previously been cleared and are now in a regrowth condition.

The primary outcomes of the RFAs for private land were improved knowledge of the forest estate and its management history: across all CRA/RFA regions, maps of forest types or forest ecosystem equivalents were produced, and statistics on areas and conservation values were derived. The identification of ecosystems occurring predominantly on private land and under-represented in the comprehensive, adequate and representative reserve system is an essential element in developing a conservation strategy across all land tenures.     

Regulation and usage of insecticides in Australian forestry from the mid-1960s to 1990

Since the mid-1960s, 28 insecticide sprays or dusts, five fumigants (aluminium phosphide, dazomet, methyl bromide, naphthalene and p-dichlorobenzene) and one microbial insecticide (Bacillus thuringiensis) have been used, mostly in small quantities, by Australian forest services for control of indigenous and accidentally introduced insect pests in native forests, eucalypt or pine plantations, forest nurseries, and wooden structures. All of the applied insecticides have been officially registered for agricultural purposes (which include forestry applications) in each State/Territory under the provisions of a specific Act of Parliament. Until July 1989, the registration of insecticides by State/Territory authorities was subject to stringent evaluation and clearance by the Technical Committee on Agricultural Chemicals, a central authority responsible to the Co-ordinating Committee on Agricultural Chemicals, and through it to the Australian Agricultural Council. Since then, evaluation and clearance for registration has been the function of the Australian Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Council with direct responsibility to the Federal Minister for Primary Industries and Energy. This Council, established under the Commonwealth Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Act (1988), aims to ensure uniformity of assessment and registration of insecticides throughout Australia.

In each State, special permits may be issued to allow insecticides to be used for purposes not covered by the registered product label or unregistered insecticides to be used in research trials. Additional legislation in the form of Acts of State Parliament, and Associated Regulations, governs the distribution, application and safe handling of registered insecticides. Most forest authorities now record insecticide purchases and consumption, and all have issued detailed instructions to their staff on spray preparation, storage, disposal, safe transport, spillage, accidental poisoning, loss or theft.

The most extensive use of insecticides has been against the indigenous Spur-legged Stick Insect, Didymuria violescens (Phasmatidae), in Victorian ash-type eucalypt forests by aerial spraying with malathion, and for eradication of the accidentally introduced West Indian Drywood Termite, Cryptotermes brevis (Kalotermitidae), in south-eastern Queensland and New South Wales, by fumigating entire buildings and furniture with methyl bromide. In Tasmania, extensive aerial applications of synthetic pyrethroids have been carried out by APPM Forest Products to safeguard young plantations of principally Eucalyptus nitens (Shining Gum) from defoliation by the Tasmanian Eucalyptus Leaf Beetle, Chrysophtharta bimaculata. Outbreaks of all these pests cause serious economic damage when left unchecked.

A sustained media campaign critical of pesticide usage in Australia has induced a much greater public awareness of the likely health risks posed by insecticides. Forest services are now committed to limit the use of insecticides and to promote biological and silvicultural techniques as alternative controls. Using insect resistant genotypes in eucalypt plantation programs is also expected to relieve insect pest problems in the future. However, insecticide applications are likely to remain front-line options for eradicating exotic insect pests of high destructive potential and for controlling large outbreaks of indigenous pests in commercial eucalypt plantations or in forest nurseries.     

International Comparisons of Trade in Forest Products and some Implications for Australian Forest Policy

The arguments used to justify the rapid expansion of Australia's softwood plantations are based largely on a deficiency of softwoods and the size of the forest products import bill. Australia is deficient in softwoods, but while the forest products import bill is large, it is not excessive compared with that of other net importing countries either on a per capita or per $1000 GNP basis.

The comparatively unfavourable export performance of the Australian forest products industry (although partially caused by the defectiveness of the raw material and the low availability of softwood) strongly suggests organisational difficulties within the growing and processing industries. Considerably more attention should be directed towards defining and removing these difficulties because their presence after the year 2000, when Australia is likely to be a net exporter could cause major problems.

More reliable and continuously updated econometric studies and projections of consumption and production, and studies of the organisation and pricing polices within the forestry sector are essential if realistic and sensible long term forest policy is to be achieved.     

EUCALYPTUS GRAFTING—DEVELOPMENT OF DESIRABLE ROOT STOCKS

A number of new and increasingly important diseases known as eucalypt crown diebacks have appeared in Australia's native forests during the past few decades. They pose problems for management in terms of yield reduction, tree mortality, deterioration of wildlife habitats, and damage to flora. They will enforce re-appraisal of forest management programmes in many places.

This paper outlines what is known of their extent, causes, and the prospects for their control. It considers also how management practices might be modified to accommodate them.     

Paths to sustainable wood supply to the pulp and paper industry in Indonesia after diseases have forced a change of species from acacia to eucalypts

In Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia and Sabah in Malaysia, the spread of two diseases, aggravated by damage by fauna, and by the humid tropical environment, has forced a change of planted species from Acacia mangium to Eucalyptus pellita and related interspecific hybrids, at a scale unprecedented in the history of plantation forestry. This experience highlights the risks of relying on any single species for large contiguous plantation estates in environments with endemic biotic and abiotic stresses. There is a need to transition to multiple-species plantation forestry, adopting the opportunities for changeover of species and varieties in short-rotation systems. Industry’s responses for coping with this rapid change have been helped by earlier collaborative research on acacia which promoted management practices that conserved site resources and avoided site degradation during the critical harvesting and inter-rotation phase. The current growth rates of E. pellita and its hybrids are lower than that of A. mangium. Estimates of production from plantations and expanding capacity of the pulp and paper mills highlight a risk of significant shortfalls in wood production. Improving the quality and consistency of forest operations and revision and refocussing of research and development are critical to set and achieve realistic targets for stable, incremental improvements in productivity. Each company should consider investing systematically in contemporary adaptive research for developing and applying integrated management practices that are efficient and feasible on large scales and suitable for their circumstances. There is also a critical need for research to understand the dynamics of local human capital and its relationships with the forestry sector, with focus on improving access to a stable labour force.