The Tumut Study Area covers an important transitional zone between the alpine and tableland environments of the Australian High Country and the slopes and plains of south western NSW. This area contains range limits for many species and ecosystems; from western extents of alpine grasslands, herb-fields and Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) communities to the eastern extents of Iron Bark (E. sideroxylen) communities.
Kosciusko National Park contains much of the steeper and higher parts of the tablelands. However, on the flatter, more fertile tablelands and upper slopes, grazing and forestry predominates. The largest areas of pine plantation in NSW occur in the Tumut Study Area.
Finally, on the lower slopes and plains, grazing and cropping have effectively reduced the remaining total native cover to between 10 to 20 per cent of its original extent. For some communities like White-box and Yellow-box woodlands and She-Oak and Red-gum riverine forests, these have been reduced still further. In an area that has traditionally been a low priority for state-based conservation planning, the effect of agricultural and forest fragmentation of the native land-cover is now receiving increasing attention. The comprehensive reviews of current natural heritage conservation options undertaken by the IAP are a step in stopping ecosystem degradation and loss from the area.
In this case, there was only one agreed position which was designed to meet vegetation targets with minor loss of resource outside identified wilderness in Buccleuch State Forest.
The position recognises the conservation significance of State forests on the South West Slopes.
The negotiated position resulted in a minor reduction in timber resource (outside wilderness) and met vegetation targets in most cases. 73 600 ha are not available for logging.