Pines, Palms and Pandas

Abstract

IN this issue, I have taken the somewhat unusual step of publishing a research proposal as a Forum Essay. This has been done for four reasons. First, the research proposed takes advantage of a unique and important opportunity to learn more about the genetics of isolated populations of Australian marsupials. An opportunity which was created by the destruction of a large area of native Eucalyptus forest during an era when forest authorities in Australia were pre-occupied with making Australia independent of foreign wood imports. It was also a time when Australian foresters were unsure of their ability to manage native forests sustainably. Thus, secondly, the study proposed provides an unanticipated benefit from an otherwise environmentally destructive and ill-conceived practice. Third, apart from attending conferences, there are few opportunities for researchers to present their research to a wide audience for comment before it is commenced or as progress reports. Finally, the publication of research results rarely allows authors the opportunity to fully disclose the intellectual (as opposed to the experimental) design of their research. It has been my longstanding opinion that these are serious omissions in the communication of ecological research, much of which is necessarily long term and final results slow in coming. I hope readers will take advantage of this opportunity and, as requested by the authors, either provide comment for publication or extend their views to the authors so that maximum benefit is gained from the research proposed.