Environmental and Social Influences Affecting Land Use Planning in the Forested Areas of Far North Queensland

SUMMARY

The aim of land use planning should be to satisfy community requirements without damaging the productivity of the environment. Of the climatic influences affecting planning in Far North Queensland, rainfall characteristics and the regular occurrence of tropical cyclones are of great importance. Maintenance of soil fertility, and the control of weeds and pests are also problems which should limit certain types of agricultural, pastoral and forestry development. Public demands for the maintenance of areas in their natural state are increasingly limiting the amount of forested land available for development.

Tree cropping systems appear to have some advantage over agricultural and pastoral pursuits especially in the wetter parts of the region but while they provide better soil protection and nutrient cycling efficiency they are susceptible to greater damage from cyclones. In addition epidemic pests and diseases pose a threat to monocultural tree crops. Neverthless there seems little doubt that forest communities will continue to be an important feature of the landscape and economy of the region.