Australia’s native forests and wood production
This Insights paper describes Australia’s native forests managed for wood production, the sustainable wood harvesting that is carried out within them, and other ecosystem services that they provide. Future opportunities and challenges regarding native forests managed for wood production are also discussed.
Overview
Australia’s diverse native forests are valued for a wide range of benefits and services that they provide, including wood products. Around 0.05% of the native forest area is harvested annually from our publicly owned multiple-use forests to sustainably produce important wood products used by Australians such as house frames, decking, flooring, furniture, power poles, pallets, packaging and paper. Australia’s native forests, including forests managed for wood production, support diverse and unique biodiversity and have an important part to play in the fight against climate change. Native forest wood products industries face some significant challenges including diminishing supply and climate change.