In Australia, scientists found that removing some trees can allow the remaining ones to grow significantly larger without reducing the forest’s carbon stocks. On plots where 50–70% of the trees were removed, those left standing received more light, space and resources. Their diameter was 20% greater than in untouched forest. Some reached one and a half metres in diameter.
The carbon balance was also unexpected. Over 30 years, the forest compensated for the carbon removed with the felled trees and accumulated additional stores.
There was good news for animals, too. Camera traps recorded Leadbeater’s possums on plots where different types of forestry intervention had taken place, but not in untouched control areas. This shows that such forests can provide habitat for rare species. Large trees also form hollows over time—important shelters for forest inhabitants.
