The Maxwell Ralph Jacobs Memorial Oration 2009: the challenge of change in a climate of uncertainty: looking back to the future through the prism of Max Jacobs' forestry career.

摘要

The paper provides an historical overview of forestry development in Australia in the 20th century, in the context of social and technological change. I use as a framework the career of Maxwell Ralph Jacobs, prominent forester, educator and administrator from the mid-1920s until his death in 1979. This development is discussed around Jacobs' major interests and achievements in forestry policy, education, silviculture, forest botany, tree improvement and forest genetics. This discussion is extended to encompass adaptation to climate change, which will have a major influence on future forest policy and forestry activity. Current trends and possible future directions in Australian forestry within each of these areas are outlined. I conclude that there is a need for renewal of forestry at the institutional level and a strengthening of forest policy in Australia if we are to achieve fully effective multifunctional forest management under a 'New Forestry' that meets community resource needs and expectations.