A clearer picture of the changing patterns of salt distribution in irrigated soils is being sought through an undergraduate study funded by the National Program for Sustainable Irrigation.
The Australian Biodiversity Salt Sensitivity Database contains information on the sensitivity and tolerance of over 1200 species of Australian taxa to salt. The database is supported by interpretive notes and a statistical analysis of species groupings
The key element of this project involves the landscape-scale (1,500 ha) manipulation of water regimes on Dowd Morass in the Gippsland Lakes. Dowd Morass is subject to an inappropriate water regime, having been flooded more-or-less permanently since the mid 1970s despite it having probably experienced annual draw down and a dry period every 2-5 years under natural conditions in earlier times before river regulation and catchment development. It is subject also to chronic salinisation from saline (more)...
‘Strategic tree planting’ is the story Yass farmer John Ive and his family want to tell. After moving to the Yass Valley near Canberra, John transformed ‘Talaheni’ from a run down grazing property into a productive farm with increased production and environmental values.
Born and bred in Renmark, Jack Seekamp has worked a fruit block, run a company and lectured at University all the while making notes, taking photographs and keeping an eye on the Murray.
As long ago as the 1940’s he raised concerns about salt levels, then in 1967, he produced a landmark home video ‘Salt in the Murray Valley’.
Jack’s vast records have been described as ‘virtual goldmine for environmental scientists’ which is ‘priceless (more)...
Aquatic vegetation is represented by a variety of growth forms, including floating, submerged, amphibious, emergent and semi-terrestrial taxa. The persistence of these growth forms in aquatic habitats is strongly influenced by water regime; long-term flooding favours submerged species and excludes most emergent species whereas alternation in wetting and drying may allow both to persist. The artificial homogenisation of naturally fluctuating water regimes and secondary salinisation are major (more)...
