Why are our native forests so important?
Mountain Ash, Maroondah
Why are our native forests so important? |
| 1. We have lost about 60% of our native forests since European colonization. Australia has only 5% native forest cover, the least of all continents except Antarctica, if we exclude plantations (which are monocultures) and woodlands (which are sparse). |
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Mountain Ash, Maroondah |
| 2. Native forests are home to most of Australia's terrestrial biodiversity. Survival of this biodiversity is crucial for all species, including humans. Worldwide we are losing 50 - 250 species every day, of the estimated 100 million species of life on Earth only 1.4 million have been documented. Biodiversity, the web of life, is critical to human food security and to the development of new medicines for human health. |
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| 3. Native forests cover the headwaters of most of our water catchments. Mature forests are a vital part of the water cycle - they act both to increase rainfall and as a giant sponge, maintaining water supply through dry periods. In this hot, dry continent, increasing population and demands on water supply are contributing to water shortages and restrictions. |
| 4. Our biodiverse, beautiful native forests are places that nourish the human spirit. These places of rest and inspiration and retreat have now receded to mountain and wilderness areas. |
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