Cluan Tiers
The Forest Education Foundation’s Project Forest DVD has a wealth of information that can enhance student’s appreciation of the ecology, management and history associated with the Cluan Tier area. The Cluan Tier contains a mosaic of production forest and reserve areas with Tasmania’s three main forest types represented. Timber harvesting began creeping into the Cluan Tiers in the early 1900’s and there are many significant archaeological sites relating to timber harvesting scattered across the area. It is possible to visit timber harvesting operations on the Cluan tier if there is an operation in progress.
FEF has all necessary safety equipment for school groups and will make the necessary contact with the harvesting contractor.
Ecology
Wet eucalypt forest on the Cluan
Rainforest on the Cluan
Rainforest on the Cluan
Dry sclerophyll forest on the CluanThe area has excellent examples of dry sclerophyll, wet eucalypt and cool temperate rainforest communities with developing transitional zones. The effects of altitude, drainage and aspect on vegetation communities are well illustrated as well. The site also has a range of forest ages. The diverse ecology in a relatively small area provides excellent opportunities for students to study many aspects of Tasmania’s unique ecology in a day visit time frame.
History
Remains of an historical timber tramway
Part of a corded roadway
An abandoned cable hauler
The Cluan Tier has been harvested for timber since the 1860’s and a number of different harvesting and management practices have been used over time. Evidence of historical timber harvesting can be found across the Tier. Abandoned tramways, corded roadways, remnant huts, abandoned machinery, sawdust heaps and shoe-holed stumps are just some of the evidence of early timber harvesting in the area. Visits to the Cluan Tier bring early European history in Tasmania to life for students.
Modern Forest Management
Logged 1950 / sawlog retention logging 2002
Logged 1950 / sawlog retention logging 1990
Shoe hole stump felled with an axe in 1950’s
Loading timber for market 2005
The Cluan Tier offers an ideal location to explore modern forest management practices as well. Harvesting techniques used include clearfelling, and a range of different selection harvesting methods. There is a network of reserve systems across the Tier including streamside reserves, Forest Reserves and scenic protection areas and management systems for protection of cultural heritage sites, flora and fauna. Eucalypt plantations on State forest and private land are also part of the forest management mosaic. Opportunities also exist to relate Forest Practices Plans to on-ground operations.