Karri Forest HCV Assessment June 2020 Copyright © 2020, Forest Products Commission
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Karri forest HCV assessment June 2020 Copyright © 2020, Forest Products Commission. All rights reserved. All materials; including internet pages, documents and on-line graphics, audio and video are protected by copyright law. Copyright of these materials resides with the State of Western Australia. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced or re-used for any purposes whatsoever without prior written permission of the General Manager, Forest Products Commission. Permission to use these materials can be obtained by contacting: Copyright Officer Forest Products Commission Locked Bag 888 PERTH BUSINESS CENTRE WA 6849 AUSTRALIA Telephone: +61 8 9363 4600 Internet: www.fpc.wa.gov.au Email: [email protected] Recommended reference: Forest Products Commission 2020, ‘Karri forest HCV assessment’, Perth, Australia. Karri forest HCV assessment Feedback Please refer to the Forest Products Commission’s website for information on how to provide feedback on this document. Feedback and comments on this document can be directed to: Forest Products Commission Phone: +61 8 9363 4600 Fax: +61 8 9363 4601 Email: [email protected] Version control: V05/June 2020 Page 1 of 62 Authority: Director Forest Operations Responsible Officer: Senior Coordinator Forest Management Systems Security classification: Public Uncontrolled when printed Karri forest HCV assessment Acknowledgement The Forest Products Commission (FPC) acknowledges the Noongar Nations that are the traditional owners of the Southwest Boojarah and the Wagyl Kaip and Southern Noongar karri forests and lands. We respect the Elders past, present and emerging. Further detail of the FPC’s commitment to first Australians is available in the FPC’s Reconciliation action plan (2018); and Statements of commitment: engagement with Noongar peoples in the South West of Western Australia (FPC, 2015b). Version control: V05/June 2020 Page 2 of 62 Authority: Director Forest Operations Responsible Officer: Senior Coordinator Forest Management Systems Security classification: Public Uncontrolled when printed Karri forest HCV assessment Contents Executive summary .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Background ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 Assessment pathway ....................................................................................................................................... 7 High Conservation Value 1 – Species diversity ............................................................................................... 12 High Conservation Value 2 – Landscape-level ecosystems and mosaics ......................................................... 29 High Conservation Value 3 – Ecosystems and habitats. .................................................................................. 33 High Conservation Value 4 – Basic ecosystem services in critical situations ................................................... 41 High Conservation Value 5 – Community needs ............................................................................................. 46 High Conservation Value 6 – Cultural values .................................................................................................. 48 References ..................................................................................................................................................... 55 Appendix 1 – Shortened forms ...................................................................................................................... 60 Appendix 2 – Legislation relevant to the karri FMU ....................................................................................... 62 Version control: V05/June 2020 Page 3 of 62 Authority: Director Forest Operations Responsible Officer: Senior Coordinator Forest Management Systems Security classification: Public Uncontrolled when printed Karri forest HCV assessment Executive summary This Forest Products Commission (FPC) document provides an assessment of High Conservation Values (HCVs) in the karri Forest Management Unit (FMU) using the guidance of FSC Australia’s HCVs evaluation framework (FSC Australia, 2019). The karri FMU is the area of pure and mixed karri forest blocks available for harvest by the FPC. This HCV assessment and the associated management activities implemented, aim to demonstrate that HCVs are not threatened within the karri FMU. HCV 1: Species diversity HCV 1 values are present in the karri FMU. The karri FMU is part of a global biodiversity hotspot, as declared by Conservation International and contains threatened flora and fauna. Management activities to identify and protect these values include targeted flora and fauna surveys, the use of the Fauna Distribution Information System (FDIS) and predator control. Silvicultural regimes are implemented to ensure habitat and structural diversity is maintained. HCV 2: Landscape-level ecosystems and mosaics All of the karri FMU is considered to comprise HCV 2 because the karri FMU is located within a larger contiguous area of jarrah and karri forest much of which is in formal reserves and is of regional significance at the landscape level. HCV 2 in the karri FMU is protected through a number of means including through the allocation of informal reserve systems. The FPC also ensures harvesting is within sustainable levels, limits the size of harvest areas and protects soil and water values. HCV 3: Ecosystems and habitats HCV 3 values present within the karri FMU includes priority ecological communities and old- growth forest (both Type 1 and Type 2 old-growth) Genetically distinct populations that are important for conservation may be present. All Type 1 old-growth forest that has been identified has been placed in the reserve system. Type 2 old-growth forest that has been identified has been placed in temporary protection areas. All proposed harvest coupes containing mature karri forest require pre-harvest inspection to identify the presence of Type 1 and Type 2 old-growth forest. Priority ecological communities are excluded from harvesting. Fauna and flora surveys are carried out prior to harvest. HCV 4: Critical ecosystem services HCV 4 values have been identified in the karri FMU. The karri FMU provides basic ecosystem services for critical situations, such as clean water and irrigation supply systems. The karri FMU includes a significant proportion of the Lefroy Brook Catchment Area, which provides drinking water to regional areas. In order to conserve HCV 4, measures include risk assessments to monitor soil damage and contamination of water courses, and protection of water values through implementation of informal reserves around all watercourses. HCV 5: Community needs HCV 5 is not considered present as local communities are not critically dependant on the resources in the karri FMU to meet their basic needs. The karri FMU is a source of water for some regional areas, but this is covered in HCV 4 section. Version control: V05/June 2020 Page 4 of 62 Authority: Director Forest Operations Responsible Officer: Senior Coordinator Forest Management Systems Security classification: Public Uncontrolled when printed Karri forest HCV assessment HCV 6: Cultural values Noongar and non-Aboriginal cultural heritage values are present within the karri FMU. In particular, Noongar peoples have a connection to the land and waters of the South West of Western Australia. Prior to disturbance activities, all Noongar and non-Aboriginal registered sites are checked through relevant databases. The FPC ensures compliance with relevant legislation and consults with a range of stakeholders including representatives for country to ensure protection of HCV 6 values. Other HCV 6 values present in the karri FMU include scientific, aesthetic and social values. These are also identified and protected through the pre-harvest planning process. Version control: V05/June 2020 Page 5 of 62 Authority: Director Forest Operations Responsible Officer: Senior Coordinator Forest Management Systems Security classification: Public Uncontrolled when printed Karri forest HCV assessment Background This karri forest HCV assessment (HCV assessment) should also be read in conjunction with the FPC’s Karri Forest Management Plan (KFMP) (FPC, 2020). The KFMP provides an overview of management of the karri FMU as required under the Forest Management Plan 2014-2023 (FMP 2014) (Conservation Commission, 2013) and incorporates requirements of forest certification. This HCV assessment has been produced in conjunction with the KFMP to meet the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council’s® (FSC®) Controlled Wood Standard (FSC-STD-30-010; FSC-C120630) and the associated FSC® Australia’s High Conservation Values (HCVs) evaluation framework (FSC Australia, 2019). The area evaluated for this HCV assessment is as per the scope of the KFMP, which is restricted to pure and mixed karri forest blocks available for timber harvesting by the FPC. This area is known as the karri FMU. HCV is not typically a term historically used in the management of native forests in Western Australia. However, the principles associated with the identification and protection of HCVs closely align with existing policies and practices.