![Picture](/uploads/1/2/6/2/12622942/editor/photo-1-heart-lip-spider-orchid-being-pollinated.jpg?1715313265)
All photos: Dick Wettenhall
By Dick Wettenhall
THE clearing of remnant forests for farming and the extraction of timber, gravel, and sand for the building industry have been inevitable consequences of population growth and economic development in the Bass Coast region.
The few remaining patches of forests are now at risk of being permanently lost due to the escalating demands for sand and gravel. They are also being compromised by unregulated recreational activities. For example, the off-track riding of mountain bikes and horses in the Gurdies Reserve has recently destroyed habitats for rare species of heart lip spider and hybrid bird orchids. Of particular concern are the forests in the Western Port region which are based on high-quality deposits of sand and gravel. Why should we be concerned about the loss of these forests? (Photo 1)
THE clearing of remnant forests for farming and the extraction of timber, gravel, and sand for the building industry have been inevitable consequences of population growth and economic development in the Bass Coast region.
The few remaining patches of forests are now at risk of being permanently lost due to the escalating demands for sand and gravel. They are also being compromised by unregulated recreational activities. For example, the off-track riding of mountain bikes and horses in the Gurdies Reserve has recently destroyed habitats for rare species of heart lip spider and hybrid bird orchids. Of particular concern are the forests in the Western Port region which are based on high-quality deposits of sand and gravel. Why should we be concerned about the loss of these forests? (Photo 1)