All in Mapping and Modelling

Remote sensing data and crop water measurements

mgabelle — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:30:41 +0000

Investigation of the relationships between remote sensing data recorded in satellite imagery and a comprehensive set of crop water measurements (taken in a vineyard and an almond orchard) was the project chosen by Flinders University of SA student Claire Williams.

IDs and People

Program:

National Program for Sustainable Irrigation

Research Type:

PhD Student

Host Organisation:

National Program for Sustainable Irrigation

Researchers:

Claire Williams

Subjects

Subjects:

Data and Information

Mapping and Modelling

Water (General)

Keywords:

Remote Sensing

Satellite Imagery

Current Activities

Status:

Active

Mapping the spatial footprint of Australian agricultural industries

superuser — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:43:07 +0000

This report describes spatial datasets derived from the Agricultural Census that identify the extent of land used by Australian agricultural industries and maps the spatial footprint of six industries of interest to the Signposts project. These maps show where production of cotton, milk cattle , beef cattle, wine grapes, horticulture and grains occur and have changed over time. There are two spatial boundaries structures that have been used in this report, one is based on statistical local areas and the other is based on Mesh Blocks. While Mesh Blocks, generated in 2006 deliver more spatially accurate data sets, statistical local areas can be used to provide a historical perspective.

IDs and People

Program:

Social and Institutional Research Program

Program Theme:

Sustainable Farming

LWA Project Code:

NHT Project 61826A

Subjects

Subjects:

Mapping and Modelling

Landscape Management

Primary Industries

Keywords:

Agriculture

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Mapping regional capacity for natural resources management

superuser — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:08:22 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Social and Institutional Research Program

Program Theme:

Community Participation

Research Type:

Research Project

LWA Project Code:

BRR20

Researchers:

Trevor Webb

Allan Curtis

Subjects

Subjects:

Mapping and Modelling

NRM Processes

Project Information

Summary:

Mapping regional capacity for natural resources management

Current Activities

Status:

Pending

Modelling impacts of vegetation cover change on regional climate

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:22:49 +0000

Climate change is now the major and most urgent environmental issue facing Australia. Australia is particularly vulnerable to climate change, as it will compound existing land use pressures on natural resources, agriculture and native ecosystems. Australia’s current policy response to climate change has focused on mitigation and adaptation of forecasted changes attributable to greenhouse gas emissions. However, these responses do not include the two-way interactions and feedbacks of the land surface on climate.

IDs and People

Program:

Innovation

Program Theme:

Innovation Call

Research Type:

Innovation Call

LWA Project Code:

002378

Host Organisation:

University of Queensland

Researchers:

Dr Clive McAlpine

Subjects

Subjects:

Climate (General)

Mapping and Modelling

Project Information

Summary:

In this study, we addressed the question - is Australia’s regional climate sensitive to land cover change? We conducted simulation experiments using the CSIRO MARK 3 climate model to compare the effects on regional climate based on differences between pre-European and 1990 vegetation cover. The two experiments aimed to reproduce the Australian climate for the period 1951-2003, with the only difference being the conversion of land cover from native vegetation to pastures and crops. Consistent with actual climate trends since the 1950s, simulated annual and seasonal surface temperatures showed statistically significant warming for eastern Australia (0.4-2°C) and southwest Western Australia (0.4-0.8°C), being most pronounced in summer. Mean summer rainfall showed a decrease of 4-12% in eastern Australia and 4-8% in southwest Western Australia which coincided with regions where the most extensive land clearing has occurred. Further, the study found an increase in temperatures on average by 2°C, especially in southern Queensland and New South Wales, for the recent 2002/2003 drought. The findings suggest that the large scale clearance of native vegetation is amplifying the adverse impacts associated with El Niño drought periods, which together with rainfall deficiency, is having a strong impact on Australia’s already stressed natural resources and agriculture. Implications for Policy: We suggest that policy needs to recognise that climate change is a two-way process, and that broad scale clearing of native vegetation cover has a strong influence on climate in addition to greenhouse gases. Protecting and restoring Australia’s native vegetation therefore needs to be a critical policy and management consideration in mitigating the effects of climate change.

Current Activities

Status:

Active

Irrigation Futures of the Goulburn Broken Catchment

superuser — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 05:28:25 +0000

The Goulburn Broken Irrigation Futures project used scenario planning with extensive stakeholder engagement to develop a vision and strategies for irrigated agriculture in the region over the next 30 years.

IDs and People

Program:

National Program for Sustainable Irrigation

Research Type:

Research Project

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

VPI3

Host Organisation:

Department of Primary Industries and Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures

Researchers:

Dr Q.J. Wang

Subjects

Subjects:

Data and Information

Mapping and Modelling

Innovation

Primary Industries

Catchment Management

Irrigation

Keywords:

futures

sustainable irrigation

Catchment

census

Project Information

Outcomes:

The project outputs have recorded the above regional scale and agency-specific assessments and strategies. That work will assist agencies and businesses in the region to prepare for the future of irrigated agriculture over the next 30 years. The project has also demonstrated that scenario planning can be used with communities for regional planning. It has provided a methodology for such planning that can be used by other regional communities. The methodology provides a step-by-step guide to the processes used in the Goulburn Broken Irrigation Futures project, and the lessons learnt by the project team though their implementation.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Background

Project Background:

The Goulburn Broken Catchment is a major contributor to the state and national economies and the quality of life of consumers. The region faces significant challenges and opportunities. Issues such as free-trade agreements, climate change, water reform, and technological developments will have a significant influence on the future. As one of the oldest gravity irrigation systems in Australia, Goulburn-Murray Water’s irrigation system needs substantial renewal of its ageing infrastructure in the next 20 years. The consequences of these pressures are highly uncertain and will impact on the region’s economy, environmental assets and social fabric. It is therefore critical that the region develops a sound plan to strategically position itself for irrigation in the future.

Aims:

The project objectives were to:

Facilitate key stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the future of irrigation in the Goulburn Broken Region over the next 30 years, and to identify scenarios of major constraints and opportunities and of regional response options
Understand the social, economic and environmental consequences of various scenarios through impact assessment that integrates the best available knowledge
Facilitate key stakeholders to build consensus on preferred regional options for future irrigation, and recommend regional follow-up actions.
Develop a methodology that can be applied elsewhere in Australia for sustainable irrigation planning at a catchment scale.

Quantifying surface water - groundwater exchange using thermal & chemical measurements

superuser — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:16:14 +0000

This project will develop field equipment and a proven scientific methodology that will quantify surface water - groundwater transfer to aquifers beneath river beds and therefore contribute to the mapping of the many and complex connections and interactions between groundwater and the surface water - dams, lakes, rivers, wetlands.

IDs and People

Program:

National Program for Sustainable Irrigation

Research Type:

Research Project

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

UNS5127

Host Organisation:

Water Research Laboratory - University of New South Wales

Researchers:

Prof. Richard Ian Acworth

Subjects

Subjects:

Data and Information

Mapping and Modelling

Water (General)

Catchment Management

Keywords:

Rivers

Groundwater

Catchment

Storage Reservoirs

Floodplain

Project Information

Outcomes:

As a result of this project, there will be much improved knowledge and understanding of a process that can, in turn, inform policy development and water allocation decisions. The new knowledge will allow development of advisory and/or project management services based upon deployment and interpretation of the sondes.

In addition field data acquired by the sondes could provide much needed independent confirmation of various other modelling studies.

Current Activities

Status:

Active

Background

Project Background:

Australia is often said to be the driest continent on Earth - but that’s only because of its low rainfall. In fact, while the surface of the land is dry, we have massive groundwater reserves.

Groundwater makes it possible to grow much of our irrigated crops and pastures. Governments are looking increasingly to these aquifers to provide drinking water for our growing towns and cities. Groundwater use has almost doubled nationally in the past two decades, (it now makes up more than one-fifth of all the water we harvest) yet we know far too little about how to manage it sustainably

Aims:

This project seek to design, develop and test an integrated measuring tool that can be installed and recovered from the bed of streams and rivers. It is envisaged that the tool will be 1.5 m long and 80 mm diameter with removable sensing and logging elements. The tool will comprise temperature and water level loggers and newly developed probes to monitor fluid electrical conductivity, the concentration of chloride in the water and oxygen levels. It is envisaged that multiple tools will be deployed at selected sites and recovered after 2 to 3 months for download and analysis. Data from the new sondes will provide real field data and allow a much improved conceptual model of hyporheic zone beneath and adjacent to surface water bodies that are connected to aquifers. This, in turn, will better inform management and allocation decisions.

The initial approach has been successfully tested as part of the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC program of works in Maules Creek. We are now confident that these methods can be substantially further developed and this project would undertake that work.

Development of new biocontrol agents for Parkinsonia

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:04:43 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Defeating the Weed Menace R&D Program

Program Theme:

Identifying biocontrol agents for priority weed species

Research Type:

Research Project

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

CEN12

Host Organisation:

CSIRO Entomology

Researchers:

Dr Tim Heard

Subjects

Subjects:

Mapping and Modelling

Weeds

Keywords:

Identifying biocontrol agents for priority weed species

Project Information

Summary:

Parkinsonia is a Weed of National Significance (WONs) due to its impacts on the environment and agricultural production. Biological control of this weed is considered essential for its long term management. Classical biological control consists of introducing safe and effective natural enemies of the plant from its native range. A thorough understanding of the fauna of a target weed is essential information for a biocontrol project to proceed.

In this project, the understanding of the fauna associated with Parkinsonia in its native range has made great strides. Many new areas have been surveyed for natural enemies. An analysis of the biogeography of the plant has allowed focused surveys. A major effort to gain taxonomic information on the agents has been made resulting in a tripling of the number of species known since the beginning of the project.

Molecular techniques have been trialled to reach a greater understanding of the detailed relationships between a sample of these insects and their host plant and the natural environment. Field trials on host specificity in the native range have provided much crucial information on the suitability of many agents for further assessment. A prioritised list of the top ten potential agents has been compiled which will allow the next step of import into Australia for detailed host specificity testing against Australian plant species to begin.

Outcomes:

Based on the distribution of Parkinsonia aculeata, and the distribution of past collecting effort, it can be recommended that future collecting should be focussed on (1) the Pacific Coast of South America, (2) the Caatinga biogeographic province in Brazil, (3) the Chaco and/or Pampa provinces in Argentina, and (4) the Antillean biogeographic dominion. Planning is underway to have natural enemies surveys carried out in all of these areas.

Current Activities

Status:

Pending

Background

Project Background:

Parkinsonia is a Weed of National Significance that is regarded as one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential to spread and its economic and environmental impacts. A shrubby, prickly bush growing in a wide range of conditions in the rangelands of northern Australia, it has serious impacts in the pastoral industry and the landscape.

Biological control has been identified as a high priority for its control. Although several potential control agents have been identified from Mexico, Central and South America, there is a need to identify these agents more specifically and test their specificity against the target species, Parkinsonia, before they can be considered for use in controlling this invasive plant.

Through further survey work in the Americas and more precise species identification using DNA bar-coding, this project will enable prioritisation of potential biocontrol agents, based on their specificity and host-specificity.

Aims:

The main aim of this project is to broaden the existing native-range surveys of Parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata; one of the 20 WoNS) in order to identify a large pool of potential biocontrol agents, prioritise them on the basis of likely efficacy and safety, conduct preliminary host-specificity testing with the highest ranked potential agents at the CSIRO Mexican field station, and have agents ready for importation in the CSIRO quarantine facility in Brisbane by July 2008 where comprehensive host-specificity testing will be undertaken. In addition, this project aims to develop, apply and test new approaches to comprehensively surveying natural enemies of target weeds in their native-range and thereby greatly increase the efficiency of that phase in future biological control programs.

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Biological control and ecology of Alligator Weed

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:55:51 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Defeating the Weed Menace R&D Program

Program Theme:

Identifying biocontrol agents for priority weed species

Research Type:

Research Project

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

CEN11

Host Organisation:

CSIRO Entomology

Researchers:

Dr Shon Schooler

Subjects

Subjects:

Mapping and Modelling

Weeds

Keywords:

Weeds

weed

biocontrol

alligator grass

Project Information

Summary:

This project investigated the potential use of biological control agents to assist
in the management of alligator weed in Australia. This was achieved through:

testing the host specificity of two herbivorous insects for potential use
as biological control agents,
completing ecological studies to better understand alligator weed in order
to develop and promote more effective methods of control.

Outcomes:

The study found that using low concentrations of selective herbicides will increase the competitive ability of grass species and lead to a reduction in alligator weed over time. This replaces prior practices that used broad spectrum herbicides (glyposphate) to manage this weed.

The study identified tip galling fly (Clinodiplosis alternantherae) as a potential biological control agent, but unfortunately it can complete its life cycle on at least two native plant species, and so is not safe to release in Australia. The testing of two other biological control agents, a leaf mining fly (Ophimyia morelli), and a beetle (Systena nitenula) were not able to be completed due to difficulty in exporting the organisms out of Argentina. A fungus, Uredo pacensis, from Bolivia, has been identified as an additional potential biological control agent. More research is required to see if this fungus will attack the varieties of alligator weed found in Australia.

A preliminary genetic analysis has found that there were probably three separate introductions of alligator weed to Australia. Australian populations have been found to be genetically similar to populations in Buenos Aires, Salta and Santa Fe/Chaco.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Background

Project Background:

This project follows on from a NHT-funded project (2003-06).

Aims:

This project continues the host testing of insects for the biological control of alligator weed and continues ecological studies to underpin development of better management strategies for the weed in Australia. We currently have a ranked list of potential agents and will continue the testing, apply for permits to release, and potentially release host specific insects within the timeframe of this project. Ecological studies will include comparing habitats of the native and introduced ranges to identify the most promising biological control agents and studying factors that allow alligator weed to outcompete desired vegetation in Australia.

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Serrated Tussock: Managing native pastures to prevent invasion

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:17:30 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Defeating the Weed Menace R&D Program

Program Theme:

Assessing risk of different pathways of weed ingress

Research Type:

Research Project

Host Organisation:

Charles Sturt University

Researchers:

Prof. David Kemp

Subjects

Subjects:

Mapping and Modelling

NRM Processes

Weeds

Keywords:

Weed ingress

Project Information

Summary:

This project aims to develop better management practices to stop the spread of serrated tussock to new paddocks, new regions and uninfested native grasslands, by better understanding the management and biophysical factors that affect its spread on-farm.

Outcomes:

The key conclusion from this study is that regardless of the amount of serrated tussock seed in the soil, the key to preventing establishment of serrated tussock in threatened paddocks is the constant and vigilant use of a control technique that minimises disturbance (e.g. spot spraying, chipping). It must be remembered that many producers with high densities of tussock encounter significant limitations to carrying out this technique.

Results suggested that respondents with a high infestation were more likely to think that absence of control was the reason for the infestation, whereas respondents with low infestations were more likely to think that seed blowing in from a neighbouring property was the reason for their infestation.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Background

Project Background:

The role of seedbank loads in infestation rates is yet to be fully explored and understanding this is essential in stopping uninfested pastures being invaded. The interactions between management factors and seedbank loads are also unknown. A need exists to shift the farm management focus from the livestock to the pastures and weed, and produce recommendations for farm management that are simple and easy to implement. A shift to a pasture focus includes the need to maintain pastures in a good condition for animal production as well as to resist weed invasion.

Aims:

The purpose of this project is to develop better management practices for serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma) through improved understanding of the management and bio-physical on-farm factors associated with the success and, or failure to control this devastating weed. An important component of this project is the focus on management practices that prevent the further spread of Australia’s worst perennial grass weed within and between farms and why some farmers appear unsuccessful at overcoming this weed. Connections between the ways the livestock production system is managed and the tactics employed for managing serrated tussock will be closely investigated.

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Pathway risk analysis for weed spread within Australia

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:13:48 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Defeating the Weed Menace R&D Program

Program Theme:

Assessing risk of different pathways of weed ingress

Research Type:

Research Project

Host Organisation:

University of New England

Researchers:

Dr Brian Sindel

Subjects

Subjects:

Mapping and Modelling

NRM Processes

Weeds

Keywords:

Weed ingress

Project Information

Summary:

This project is designed to ascertain the ways in which weeds spread once in Australia and to assess the relative risks or threats from different pathways of weed spread. This will enable better targeting of efforts to reduce the movement of high risk weeds around Australia.

Outcomes:

Twenty four sources (sites or areas of land where weeds are actively growing and from which new invasions may emerge) and 17 pathways (the means by which weed propagules are moved) were identifies for weed spread in Australia through the review of literature. The most important sources of weed proagules, according to survey respondents, were Transport sites such as roads, railways, ports, airports and water transport sites. Other important sources of weeds were Land in transition, Pasture/ rangelands, Horticulture – ornamental and private gardens, and Rivers.

While every effort must be made to prioritise high risk pathways of weed spread for management and regulation, the number and wide diversity of potential sources and pathways ( in reality anything that moves or is moved) shows the difficulty of the task of preventing weed spread altogether.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Background

Project Background:

There has been considerable effort to elucidate the means by which weeds and potential weeds enter Australia and to assess the risks associated with importation of plants, but no comprehensive studies have been undertaken to ascertain the way that weeds spread once present within Australia or to assess the relative threats or risks (likelihood and potential magnitude) of different sources and pathways due to species, quantity of propagules, distance, and sensitivity of the invaded environment. Most recently naturalised taxa are still only locally distributed, and so it is critical to identify the primary pathways for the spread of these, as well as more widespread weeds, so as to be able to prevent movement to un-infested areas. The approach and methods taken in this project will on the whole result in the maximum amount of information in weed ingress being obtained in a timely and cost efficient way.

Aims:

The purpose of this research is to:

assess the relative risks of sources and pathways of weed ingress within Australia; and
identify ways to reduce these risks.

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Modelling climate change impacts on sleeper and alert weeds

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:08:25 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Defeating the Weed Menace R&D Program

Program Theme:

Assessing risk of different pathways of weed ingress

Research Type:

Research Project

Legacy (KMS) Project ID:

CEN10

Host Organisation:

CSIRO Entomology

Researchers:

Dr John Scott

Subjects

Subjects:

Mapping and Modelling

NRM Processes

Weeds

Keywords:

Weed ingress

Project Information

Summary:

This project will model the change in distribution of sleeper and environmental alert species due to climate change, and will assist in preparing a climate change weed risk map for Natural Resource Management regions across Australia.

Outcomes:

The native distributions of each of the 41 species were mapped, both as on-line records of point locations, and the regions or countries where the plant is found. Maps were produced to show the introduced world distribution including collection records based on herbarium records in Australia. Most of the CLIMEX models have highly significant predictions to the observed distribution as determined by statistical analysis. Using the CLIMEX model, predictions of distribution were then made to Australia under the current climate and the eight climate change scenarios (Echam 3, Hadley 2, high and low emissions, 2030, 2070).

Under climate change there is a general shift southwards for most species (Figure 6), with the shift greatest for wet tropical species (over 1000 km), and much less for south coastal species (because of the lack of landmass to move into).

The most urgent recommendation from this work is that a new set of sleeper weed species needs to be identified for the north of Australia because of the vacuum that will be created by the displacement of species southwards, both native and introduced. Secondly, the predicted displacement of species under climate change enables the identification of management strategies for each species. This could include developing east-west quarantine barriers along potential migration routes. While some of the alert and sleeper species are evidently of low threat, the analysis of potential distribution identifies certain species, such as Acacia karroo, Retama raetam and Equisetum arvense that could become major problems under any climate scenario and should be managed accordingly.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Background

Project Background:

Scientists are now convinced that climate is changing as a result of human-induced global warming and will continue to do so in the coming decades. Changes in climate will provide some weeds with greater potential to spread in the future, whereas others might become less damaging than they are today because of decreased potential growth and survival.

Sleeper weeds are those plants from overseas that have currently established only small populations in Australia but that have the potential to spread widely and affect agriculture or the natural environment, while alert weeds are those that are in the early stages of establishing and have the potential to pose a significant threat to biodiversity. Clearly the reaction of both sleeper and alert weeds to climate change is of interest to future management of the landscape.

This project uses climate modeling to predict the potential growth and survival of sleeper and alert species of plants in different locations, based on their responses to temperature, moisture and light.

Aims:

The project aims to undertake a systematic analysis of all 28 environmental alert and all 17 agricultural sleeper weed species to determine the likely impact of climate change. This information will be combined to make a climate change weed risk map of NRM regions in Australia.

We now know that our climate will change in the coming decades. For this reason some weeds will have greater potential to spread in the future, whereas others might become less damaging than they are today. To address this question we are using CLIMEX, the leading program used to model species distributions, combined with OzClim which is used to model climate change scenarios. The project aims to undertake a systematic analysis of all 28 environmental alert and all 17 agricultural sleeper weed species to determine the likely impact of climate change.

Location

State & NRM Region:

National