Environment
Voice in the wilderness
Bob Loone
SOMETIMES I feel like a voice crying in the wilderness. I have a simple, clear and precise message. When failure occurs and the question is asked “why didn’t someone state the obvious” my answer will be recorded.
I do not expect the relevant authorities to take any notice of my warnings because I know it is amazing what men fail to understand, when they get more money by not understanding.
My simple message is; plantation forestry as conducted in Tasmania is NOT sustainable for the soil is being depleted of its fertility. Plantation trees are not growing at viable growth rates because there are insufficient nutrients in the soil to maintain growth.
Trying to use the land to grow something else is not the answer unless large amounts of expensive fertilisers are applied.
Repeatedly saying plantation forestry is sustainable may fool people but won’t fool nature. I repeat: Plantation forestry as conducted in Tasmania is UNSUSTAINABLE.
Bob Loone
President
Western Rivers Preservation Trust
9 Dec 06