Because we do not know all there is to know about these ancient forests we should be very careful how we treat them. Extinctions have always been a part of evolution, but what's new is the current rate of extinction due to the rapid growth of the human population and natural habitat destruction by humans. In the 200 years since Europeans arrived in Australia the rate of change to the natural environment has accelerated far beyond the ecosystems' ability to adapt to the rapid change. Old growth forests provide largely undisturbed habitat and are havens for indigenous flora and fauna. Large reserves are needed to support these flora and fauna populations.
Foresters often say that there have been no recorded extinctions due to logging.
The absence of recorded extinctions is not in itself proof that there have been no extinctions. The absence of recorded extinctions does not mean that the risk of future extinction is low, especially under changing environment and management conditions. The conversion of State forests from old growth to regrowth is continuing and the effect on old growth dependent species cannot yet be determined. Many endangered species, such as the chuditch, numbat, woylie, tammar wallaby and yellow-bellied frog, are likely to be directly affected by forestry operations. Nineteen mammals and thirty one bird species that live in the forest require hollows for breeding and shelter.