I think it is now imperative that we MUST preserve, for the long-term health of the planet, ALL of what remains of our precious ecosystems. Especially forests.

Dear Dimity and Kathrine. Are you both aware that the healthiest option for any Forrest is to actively harvest timber in a professionally selective manner and logging these days is a strictly managed

For every dominant tree removed, known as 'mill logs' up to ten sub dominants strive to be the next dominant tree, hence there is an increase in the amount of CO2 intake due to the increased growth activity.

Of cause there are also the jobs, but most academics seem to overlook this crucial side effect.

Runner:

Given their druthers? Most greens claim they prefer cool burns to much more efficient cell grazing that protects housing estates? And because they believe that Aborigines are in the main, simple minded easily influenced folk? Who used burning as a control method, in the complete absence of domesticated grazing herd animals?

Cell grazing by herded (temporary solar powered electric fencing) domesticated goats, is vastly superior as a fuel reduction strategy than fire, that can be conducted as necessary, regardless of weather conditions!

Burns almost always create Co2, and can lift tons of nutrients skyward with every fuel reduction burn, sometimes as far as the ocean, where it does nothing but harm to the marine ecology.

Burns often bake and harden the topsoil, making it impervious to the rain that does fall and as a consequence, adding to the inevitable runoff and associated erosion!

Very short term highly intensive cell grazing by goats, reduces the fuel load and their small hooves, coupled to lower bodyweight, chops up and breaks open hardened topsoil, thereby allowing full penetration of any rain!

Add dung beetles to that management strategy and the manure is dug in, massively reducing any subsequent fly problem!

Given these days of recorded increased wind velocity! Cell grazing would seem to have much more going for it than burning, which can and does get out of control, sometimes resulting in tragedy. And ought to be reserved for those areas, where cell grazing is impossible?
Alan B.