There have been articles in this paper implying that old-growth forests have a role to play in carbon capture.
The facts are that old-growth native forests are basically carbon neutral. Over a period of time the amount of carbon dioxide the forest absorbs from the air will be the same as the CO2 released from the forest by vegetation being eaten by animals (including termites), rotting or occasionally burning.
This is part of the everlasting ongoing carbon cycle, which has been going on for hundreds of millions of years.
If we want to reduce atmospheric CO2 we need to lock away some of that carbon for as long as possible in the form of timber for building, both in houses and the construction industry. This means logging the forest and creating space for young trees to grow. The forests in this area are not being clear-felled, and the forestry managers generally do not take out the old trees with hollows etc.
Okay, so that is not ideal for a lot of native animals, but most of these critters are fairly resilient. Controlling feral cats, dogs and foxes should be the priority for native animal conservation.
Peter Bagshaw, Calala
For more information see: https://theconversation.com/are-young-trees-or-old-forests-more-important-for-slowing-climate-change-139813
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