All in New South Wales

Biodiversity dynamics, habitat loss and disturbance in the NSW wheatbelt

superuser — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:38:46 +0000

This project explored the dynamic nature of vegetation and the animals that depend on it, through a combination of modelling and field studies. It focused at the landscape level aiming to provide a more realistic basis for regional planning in the New South Wales wheatbelt.

IDs and People

Program:

Native Vegetation and Biodiversity Program

Program Theme:

Landscape design principles and methods for biodiversity conservation

Research Type:

Research Project

LWA Project Code:

NNP2

Host Organisation:

New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service

Researchers:

Ross Bradstock

Michael Bedward

Subjects

Subjects:

Biodiversity

Keywords:

wheatbelt

Project Information

Outcomes:

Identify relationships between the clearing of native vegetation and environmental variables(e.g. climate, topography, soils) in the NSW wheatbelt
Generate possible future landscapes by modelling different vegetation management scenarios
Use models to explore the change in disturbance regimes resulting from clearing and fragmentation
Carry out field studies in several areas of the NSW wheatbelt to assess the modelling work and the insights drawn from it, as well as to refine the models developed
Contribute to the development of new approaches to vegetation management through explicit simulation of target and offset mechanisms, and through a general evaluation of vegetation management proposals against the outputs of this project

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

New South Wales

Exploring agents of change to peri-urban weed management

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:49:51 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Defeating the Weed Menace R&D Program

Program Theme:

Developing efficient methods for surveying and eradicating agreed emergent weeds, and options

Research Type:

Research Project

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

UMCC1

Host Organisation:

Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Coordinating Committee

Researchers:

Jo Harding

Subjects

Subjects:

Data and Information

Weeds

Keywords:

Developing efficient methods for surveying and eradicating agreed emergent weeds

and options

Project Information

Summary:

This project aims to undertake a social research study in the Upper Murrumbidgee catchment, targeting rural lifestyle landowners, to determine the driver to land use change in relation to invasive weeds. The results from this research will provide important input to weed management strategies and aid in the development of efficient methods for surveying and eradicating emergent weeds.

The research will primarily follow methods used by Aslin & Mazur in their 2005 study “Bio-security awareness and peri-urban landholders: a case study approach”. These methods were found to be the most appropriate for collecting qualitative and quantitative data when undertaking a social survey of rural lifestyle landowners.

Outcomes:

The research team are currently reviewing the findings from this study to develop a series of recommendations including engagement of Rural Lifestyle Landholders (RLLs) in weed management and NRM in general. These findings will be incorporated into the final printed report. The findings will be used to develop and pilot a public weed identification workshop specifically designed for RLLs in the case study areas. Results from this event will be included as an appendix to the final printed report.

Current Activities

Status:

Active

Background

Project Background:

Rural Lifestyle Landowners are a key stakeholder in future landscape management, and can be viewed as potential threats or possible allies in natural resource management (Hollier at. al. 2004). Lack of knowledge, different values and time limitations combine to make rural lifestyle landowners a potential source of increased emergent weeds, weed spread and general poor land management (Aslin & Mazur 2005). However, rural lifestyle landowners are also typically well educated, have high incomes and value natural landscapes (Buxton et. al. 2006).

Aslin & Mazur (2005) have noted that rural lifestyle landowners have been identified as a potential bio-security risk group, and that concerns have been expressed about how information and awareness campaigns are reaching this part of the rural population. One of the most common bio-security risks associated with this segment of the rural community is the risk of introducing and spreading weeds. It is important that weed management strategies, and efficient methods for surveying and eradicating emergent weeds consider lifestyle / peri-urban lands and the different values, culture and knowledge levels of rural lifestyle landowners.

There have been a number of social studies undertaken on peri-urban areas (Aslin & Mazur, 2005; Hollier et. al. 2004; Buxton et. al. 2006; Mackenzie et. al. 2006; Curtis et. al. 2000). These studies have, however, focused on developing a broader understanding of natural resource management issues. There is little social data on rural lifestyle landowners in relation to weeds and land use of rural lifestyle landowners in areas of the Upper Murrumbidgee catchment.

Aims:

This project aims to undertake a social research study in the Upper Murrumbidgee catchment, targeting Rrural Lifestyle Landowners, to determine the drivers to land use change in relation to invasive weeds. The results from this research will provide important input to weed management strategies and aid in the development of efficient methods for surveying and eradicating emergent weeds.

Location

State & NRM Region:

New South Wales

Australian Capital Territory

Tri-State Project - Impact of Salinity on Horticulture in the Lower Murray

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:40:13 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

National Program for Sustainable Irrigation

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

DEP15

Host Organisation:

Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation S.A.

Researchers:

Dr Gerrit Schrale

Subjects

Subjects:

Water (General)

Catchment Management

Field Crops and Horticulture

Irrigation

Salinity

Soils

Keywords:

aquatic nutrients

crops

Project Information

Summary:

The project, started in November 2003 and to finish in early 2007, is split into two stages and deliverables are spread over agreed milestones.

Stage 1: Specific tasks and main deliverables for Stage 1 are:

A detailed literature review of the salinity relationships for the commonly grown crops (grape, citrus, stone fruit, melon and vegetables) in the Lower Murray region;
Identify the knowledge gap in salinity relationships;
Explore the salinity implications of the leaching efficiency and its variance and prepare a focussed plan for field studies; and
Develop a framework for the economic assessment of the salinity hazard.

Stage 2: As a follow up of stage 1, the original project submission listed the following three main activities for stage 2:

Use chloride as a natural tracer in the soil profiles at suitable field sites (where the season’s irrigation practices have been recorded) to estimate leaching efficiency and its variance;
Use the models ‘VineLOGIC’ and ‘Swagman’ (for Citrus) to simulate salinity inputs versus outputs on selected vineyards and orchards; and
Assess the implications of the project outcomes in relation to the salinity and drainage management strategies.

The original submission identified that stage 1 findings may lead to revision of the stage 2 field investigations. It is now proposed that the stage 2 investigations also include field experimentation for measuring and subsequent modelling of the soil-water-plant-atmosphere transport processes.

An economic analysis was carried out on this project, looking at the following benefits: productivity and profitability; environmental; and social. Download economic analysis.

Outcomes:

The project is substantially improving our understanding of leaching efficiency and the amount of water required as a leaching fraction. The results of the project will inform the new NPSI project Root zone water, salinity and nutrient management under precision irrigation (SRD8).

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Background

Project Background:

Irrigated horticulture in the Lower Murray (Riverland-Sunraysia) region contributes a ‘gate-value’ of about $ 2.5 billion a year to the national economy. As a consequence of improved irrigation practices over the years, there is a risk emerging of a salinity build-up in the root zone, threatening the sustainability of this region. During the past two decades the water use efficiency (WUE) of irrigated horticulture in this region has gradually increased from about 50 to 80% as a consequence of improved irrigation systems and management. With the objective to manage the irrigation impact on the river water quality and health of the floodplains, the River Murray Catchment Water Management Board introduced an 85% target of WUE in the current Water Allocation Plan.

In the Lower Murray Region the irrigation water salinity is typically about 0.4 dS m-1 and with 15% leaching the average salinity (ECe) in the root zone should be around 0.6 dS m-1. However field surveys indicate that the root zone salinity is often greater than 1.3 dS m-1 with considerable variance. In order to understand and manage this salinity hazard, a ‘Tri-State Salinity’ syndicate of Government agencies from western NSW, Victoria and South Australia (with support from federal agencies) was formed to undertake laboratory and field scale studies for irrigated horticulture in this region.

Aims:

To determine the salinity relationships for irrigated horticulture along the lower Murray: Riverland, Sunraysia and NSW
Determine the variance of EC (soil water) in the field under known soil conditions and irrigation management
Simulate the performance of the main crops under different scenarios of river salinity at Morgan
Provide input to the implementation of the Salinity Strategy and Integrated Catchment Management Plan of the Murray-Darling Basin and the Living Murray initiative.

Location

State & NRM Region:

New South Wales

Victoria

Locations:

Lower Murray

Riverland

Sunraysia

Coordinating Deep Drainage Research in the Northern Darling Basin

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 07:01:48 +0000

This project will provide coordination and information exchange as necessary between the various stakeholders to optimise the various deep drainage projects outcomes. This task will be achieved by having 2 groups.

IDs and People

Program:

National Program for Sustainable Irrigation

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

CRD2

Host Organisation:

Cotton Research & Development Corporation

Researchers:

Nicky Schicy

Subjects

Subjects:

Irrigation

Rivers and Wetlands

Keywords:

Information Management

deep drainage

Project Information

Outcomes:

An understanding of the current knowledge on deep drainage by all participating researchers in Northern Darling Basin deep drainage
An agreed position by researchers and primary stakeholders , (Community groups, Catchment Authorities, commodity groups, investors, regulatory and policy organizations) of future research activities necessary
Primary stakeholders informed of the research progress and the implications for their particular interest
That stakeholders agree to a continued coordinated approach

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Background

Project Background:

Land and Water Australia was part of a syndicate determining the research requirements into deep drainage in the Northern Darling Basin. As part of the research Clive Lyle Consulting and Aquatech Consulting produced a report, Better Catchment Planning and Water Resources Management (January 2002). There was substantial debate on their recommendations with varying acceptance, particularly from the MDBC. Over time some of these differences have been resolved and further investment into research has been provided by GRDC, CRDC and the Australian Cotton CRC.

The report recommended a peak Management Committee to provide overall research coordination. The membership of this group should include representatives of funders, key industries, R&D providers, Catchment Management Boards and organisations legally responsible for water. The Convenor is recommended to be a basin wide or national organisation.

Aims:

Develop an agreed understanding by peak stakeholders of deep drainage in the Northern Darling Basin
Develop clear and agreed gaps in knowledge and how to overcome them

Location

State & NRM Region:

New South Wales

Queensland

Locations:

Northern Darling Basin

Improved Seasonal Forecasts for Wool Producers in Australia’s Pastoral Zone

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:34:58 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Land, Water and Wool

Program Theme:

Climate Variability

Research Type:

Demonstration Project

Research Scale:

State

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

QNR30

Subjects

Subjects:

Climate (General)

Livestock (Sheep)

Livestock (Pastoral)

Landscape Management

Keywords:

Woolgrowers

Land Management

Stocking Rate

Climate Variability

Pastures

Seasonal Forecasting

Project Information

Summary:

Much of Australia’s rangelands are characterised by extreme climate variability which represents a major challenge for woolgrowers. In order to maintain or increase productivity while minimising negative environmental impacts on the land, producers need access to reliable seasonal climate forecast (SCF) information at critical times for key management decisions.

Current Activities

Status:

Pending

Background

Aims:

The objective of Improved Seasonal Forecasts for Wool Producers in Australia’s Pastoral Zone was to support and provide tools for the regional Managing Climate Variability Sup-program projects. It aimed to make SCF products more relevant to producers and their advisors through pasture growth simulation and prediction using Aussie GRASS, a national spatial pasture growth program.

Location

State & NRM Region:

New South Wales

Queensland

South Australia

Western Australia

Victoria

Geographic Zone:

Broadacre: Wheat-Sheep

Broadacre: Pastoral

Profitable, biodiverse wool production systems for the Northern Tablelands (NSW)

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 05:22:46 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Land, Water and Wool

Program Theme:

Native Vegetation and Biodiversity

Research Type:

Research Project

Research Scale:

Region

Subjects

Subjects:

Rivers and Wetlands

Threats and Pests

Landscape Management

Weeds

Conservation

Keywords:

Woolgrowers

Land Management

Riparian

Native Vegetation

Biodiversity

Natural Resource Management

Project Information

Summary:

A significant number of the world’s premium fine woolgrowers operate on New South Wales’ Northern Tablelands, which covers 2.5 million hectares and carries four million sheep. Over 1000 woolgrowers operate in the region, with granite, trap and basalt soil types and predominantly summer rainfall.

Current Activities

Status:

Pending

Background

Aims:

Profitable, biodiverse wool productions systems focused on productive management of native vegetation - an increasing priority for the region’s woolgrowers. The project aimed to develop solutions to natural resource management issues such as native tree dieback, unpalatable invasive weeds, gully erosion, compromised riparian vegetation and water quality, vertebrate pests and a decline in biodiversity, all of which have the potential to impact on farm productivity and profitability.

Case Studies

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Northern Tablelands Factsheets

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Location

State & NRM Region:

New South Wales

Locations:

Northern Tablelands