Policy decisions matter: Cessation of logging benefits 34 threatened species in Victoria, Australia.

ABSTRACT: In January 2024, the Australian state of Victoria committed to ending native forest logging six years ahead of schedule, a decision that has been advocated for by scientists and conservationists for decades. However, the direct benefits for threatened species from this policy change has not been quantified. This study assesses the spatial overlap between areas approved for logging and the habitats of nationally listed threatened species, to estimate the potential impacts of continued logging and the likely benefits of its cessation. We found that 99% of the areas approved for logging overlapped with the habitats of nationally threatened species. On average, each logging cutblock contained habitat for eight listed species. Areas approved for logging had considerable overlap with the habitat

SUBMITTER: Ashman KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11902118 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature