River Red Gum Ecological Thinning

The ecological thinning trial aims to learn about the effectiveness of ecological thinning for addressing a range of conservation concerns associated with widespread high stem density stands and canopy dieback in _Eucalyptus camaldulensis_ (river red gum) forests. \r\n\r\nConservation concerns tend to be highest in forest stands that are experiencing strong competition for water and other resources. This is because competition impacts plant occurrence, growth and health, with negative consequences for fauna habitat. Competition increases with increasing tree density and is greatest in high density stands with lower water availability. Ecological thinning aims to reduce competition by reducing the density of some small trees while retaining and enhancing biodiversity and habitat features.\r\n\r\nThe trial was conducted in the Millewa precinct of Murray Valley National Park in New South Wales. Prior to implementation, potential impacts to threatened entities were evaluated in a Public Environment Report and assessed under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1995. The experimental design and monitoring plan for the trial was also approved by an independent scientific advisory committee. \r\n\r\nThere were a total of 22 study sites in the trial, located in a range of pre-thinning tree densities and spread between two levels of water availability (Site Quality). Within each study site, there were three 9 ha plots which were allocated to one of three ecological thinning treatments: control (no action), moderate thinning and heavy thinning. Thinning removed some trees