Search

© IAWF 2017. Tall eucalypt old-growth forests are notable for their large, old (i.e. venerable) trees and have both significant conservation value and high carbon stores. We investigated whether canopy height and biomass had recovered in an old-growth red tingle (Eucalyptus jacksonii) forest 78 years after a high-intensity fire. We recorded species, diameter, hollow butting and height of all 596 trees > 10-cm diameter at breast height, as well as fine and coarse woody debris, in a 3.55-ha plot near Nornalup, south-Western Australia. Pre-fire canopy height was estimated by allometrics derived from tree height and diameter, and diameter and length of recently fallen branches. Of the basal area (75.0m2 ha-1), 92.7% was eucalypt (chiefly E. jacksonii), with regeneration accounting for only 8.5% of the total. Although canopy species composition apparently did not change following fire, stand height and biomass had not recovered to pre-1937 levels by 2015. Canopy height remained 5.06m (11%) less and biomass 25% less, 78 years after the fire. The combination of intense fire and a warmer, drier climate appears to have prevented recovery of forest height and structure at this site. These findings indicate that ecologically important, venerable trees are increasingly vulnerable to canopy fire and climate change. Journal compilation

The upgrading of the winding system at Harworth colliery is discussed., The upgrading of the winding system at Harworth colliery is discussed.

The productivity at Harworth colliery, Nottingham was being limited by its winding capacity. The problems and development processes involved in maximising shaft capacity, using the latest technology, are described., The productivity at Harworth colliery, Nottingham was being limited by its winding capacity. The problems and development processes involved in maximising shaft capacity, using the latest technology, are described.

The operational performance of mining equipment can be satisfactory only if the engineering capability and reliability of the equipment achieve acceptable levels. The inherent capability and reliability are determined by activities that take place prior to the equipment being brought into use. Once equipment is in use its downtime can be reduced as a result of introducing condition monitoring. Feedback from condition monitoring, and from investigations of failures, provides information to effect improvements in the reliability of existing and subsequent equipment., The operational performance of mining equipment can be satisfactory only if the engineering capability and reliability of the equipment achieve acceptable levels. The inherent capability and reliability are determined by activities that take place prior to the equipment being brought into use. Once equipment is in use its downtime can be reduced as a result of introducing condition monitoring. Feedback from condition monitoring, and from investigations of failures, provides information to effect improvements in the reliability of existing and subsequent equipment.