The great land-clearing myth (??)

["Greg" <>]

Hi Peter,

As a former scientific rep. on the Clarence Regional Vegetation Committee I 
have been following the 'woody weed' issue with interest.  It would appear 
to be true that areas of inland New South Wales have been converted from 
native grasslands to either croplands or areas with regenerating woodlands 
but what is not known is what is the 'natural' situation.   What is needed 
is well planned and practical scientific research into the 'woody weed' 
situation.  I know that some research is presently being carried out at the 
University of New Egland at present into White Cypress Pine, a so-called 
'woody weed'.
It should be noted that Cypress Pine and the other infamous 'woody weed' 
Eremophila (Emu Bush) are both important bird habitat species.
One also needs to ask whether a bulldozer will have the same effect as a 
well planned and ecologically based control burn.

Greg Clancy