Brown Mountain forest
| Brown Mountain | |
|---|---|
Old growth forest on Brown Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 985 m (3,232 ft) |
| Coordinates | 37°16′S 148°44′E / 37.26°S 148.74°E |
| Geography | |
| Location | Victoria, Australia |
| Parent range | Great Dividing Range |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Unknown |
| Easiest route | Legges Road |
The Brown Mountain forest is located in East Gippsland, Victoria (Australia), and is notable for containing large tracts of old growth forest, including over fifty shining gum trees estimated to be over 300 years old.
The eucalypt forest provides key habitat for rare and threatened species such as the powerful owl, the spotted quoll, mainland Australia's largest marsupial carnivore, and the long-footed potoroo. Other animals of note that inhabit the area include: yellow-bellied glider, southern boobook, mountain brushtail possum, sambar deer (introduced), greater glider and sugar glider.
Trees in Brown Mountain are at least 500 years old, according to a radiocarbon dating carried out by University of Waikato. The test was done on a tree felled in 2009, and is possibly the first test of its kind on an Australian tree. The test results said there was an 84% chance the tree was between 500 and 600 years old. Previously no definitive ages could be placed on the old growth trees of the area. The results may have impacts on the management of the area.
Some parts of Brown Mountain are already protected within the Errinundra National Park, other sections of forest designated as old growth by the Department of Sustainability and Environment between Legges Road and the Errinundra Road are under the control of VicForests, with logging being allowed.
The logging of the forest has been contentious due to the impact on rare and threatened species, the impact on water supplies, the associated carbon emissions. Environmentalists have called for the unprotected Brown Mountain forest area to be incorporated into the National Park reserve system planned to link the Errinundra National Park with the Snowy River National Park.
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Wikipedia