German forestry student down under

German forestry student, Tobias Zehetmair, completing field work on the south coast of NSW as part of his studies with Munich University. Photo courtesy Tobias Zehetmair

Travelling across the world to compare forest management practices in Australia with his home country of Germany, Forest Science Masters student, Tobias Zehetmair, has discovered many differences. Here, he reflects on his observations...

“I’m here in Australia for three month’s field study as part of my course with Munich University. I’ve chosen to come to Australia and base myself in Batemans Bay to observe forest management in an environment totally different to Germany.

The eucalypt forests of the New South Wales south coast are strikingly different to German forests. The forests of Bavaria are made up of 60 per cent conifers and 40 per cent broad-leaved tree species.

The climate there is much more variable and the forests change dramatically between summer and winter. Winter temperatures can be as low as -20 degrees celsius and snow is common.

The trees do not grow during the winter months and all the broadleaved species drop their leaves.

I’ve already seen a wide range of forest management activities here in Australia including native forest timber harvesting and supervising, pre-harvesting flora and fauna surveys and feral animal control.

The biggest difference is that office and field staff are very specialised in NSW. A German forester is responsible for all management activities in an area of forest covering about 3000 hectares. This includes timber harvesting and selling, marking trees for felling, culling for future growth, office work, public relations and fulfilling hunting quotas.

Hunting is an important part of forest management in my country. There is a strong hunting culture in Germany and animal control, especially of deer and wild pigs, is necessary to ensure regrowth and stability in the forest. The deer and pigs like to feed on seedlings and will dig them out of the soil.

I’m really enjoying my visit here in Australia, in particular the friendly people and possibilities to explore. I think that this trip won’t be my last to the fifth continent.”