All in National

Growing Capacity in Seasonal Climate Risk Management in South-East Australia

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:30:11 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

Climate Risk Management

adoption

south-east australia

agribusiness

farmers

Project Information

Summary:

Project focused on extension and adoption of climate risk management technologies. Recent survey results suggest the project’s online magazine The Break is highly regarded by subscribers and has had a positive impact on grower knowledge of climate and risk management issues. Project spearheaded an awakening within the Vic Govt of the need for CRM extension services for agribusiness and farmers. Has raised awareness amongst farmers and agribusiness of the role and importance of CRM.

Next Steps: Project leaves a legacy of ongoing Vic Govt investment in seasonal climate risk management activities – esp with ongoing publication of The Break and The Fast Break, & upskilling of DPI staff in climate risk.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Enabling NRM Decision-Makers to Make Better Use of Climate Science

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:28:47 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

seasonal forecasts

decision makers

strategic decisions

cllimate change projections

Project Information

Summary:

This project assisted the researchers and their selected clients in understanding how various decisions are made, using a framework based on Real Options – providing for these participants insights into how more strategic decisions might be made and the processes involved in these decisions.

Next Steps: Project resulted in better understanding of decision making process, but little potential for adoption or ongoing work in this area. Decision making processes will evolve as seasonal forecasts and climate change projections are improved.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Improving Prediction of the Northern Australian Wet Season

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:26:00 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

Northern Australia

wet season

prediction

Project Information

Summary:

Analysis of Northern Australian Wet Season onset, decline and duration has been completed. The team has published multiple papers and the work has generated much interest. A website has been developed (part of APSRU) for users to explore wet season characteristics. Understanding of MJO and the interface between statistical and GCM systems has improved significantly. The project has set the context for further research, and demonstrated that there can be both skill and value in investing in forecasting for northern Australia.

Next Steps: Project provides input for the proposed Northern Australia investment. Next phase will need to involve collaboration internationally and advancement of POAMA, Additionally, a need for new products to be added to WATL using new knowledge of duration / extent of wet season – focused at agriculture industry as well as mining / infrastructure.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Managing Natural Resource Issues in a Trending but Variable Climate

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:23:41 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

Natural Resource Management

variable climate

Project Information

Summary:

Project did not delivered on all Objectives, which in hindsight were too ambitious. Following rejection of the original final report and acknowledgement that key NRMs issue were not addressed, researchers modified the report to include recommendations for further R&D in the area.

Next Steps: nil at this stage recognising the limited resources available to MCV2 and the priorities of regional projects on Seasonal Forecasting.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Increasing Success of Tree Establishment by Using Seasonal Climate Forecasts

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:21:48 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

tree establishment

seasonal climate forecasts

plantation viability

long-term implications

Project Information

Summary:

Project well executed and all objectives met. However, only limited applicability of improved seasonal forecasting techniques to the industry due to the long lead time required for forecasts to be of use.

Next Steps: nil unless FFPRDC wishes to invest in the long-term implications of climate change on plantation viability.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Building Effective Climate Risk Management in the WA Grainbelt

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:15:36 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

Workshops

agribusiness

grainbelt

western australia

climate rish management

Project Information

Summary:

Project workshops and extension work provided a good precursor for many producers attending the Masters of Climate workshops. Strong involvement of agribusiness in delivering project to farmers gave a well-integrated perspective of the role of climate risk management in farm enterprises.

Next Steps: Project was aimed at fostering increased State agency investment in CRM and extension. So far there has not yet been a shift in resourcing in DAFWA to support this, though the project leader has made a suite of recommendations around this to DAFWA Executives.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Australia’s Regional Climate Drivers

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:13:15 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

Seasonal Forecasting

south-east australia

south-west australia

climate anomalies

synoptic decomposition

Project Information

Summary:

Final report included maps of driver influence, case studies of synoptic decomposition (SE and SW Australia) and explanation of climate anomalies (2006), and an excellent assessment of future research directions.

Next Steps: Principle Investigator’s project summary to be used to guide investment by MCV 2 in furthering regionally specific seasonal forecasting – particularly for current seasonal forecasting scoping work.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Integrating NRM Implications into a Production-Based Seasonal Climate Risk Management System

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:11:23 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

risk management

grain

seasonal climate

water impacts

stubble management

crop management

Project Information

Summary:

Project objectives were to integrate prediction of NRM implications of crop management decisions into the Yield Prophet system. The project incorporated NRM elements around the themes of water impacts and stubble management into Yield Prophet allowing more integrated farm reporting.

Next Steps: Principle Investigator presented at July PMC meeting on future directions for decision support tools across the grains industry. Project approved for funding under MCV II proposes to undertake a critical evaluation of a range of prominent grains tools with a view to providing MCV with a’ future DSS investment strategy.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Yield Prophet – Expanding Capabilities for Farmers’ Risk Management

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:09:27 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

risk management

cereal

yield prophet

Project Information

Summary:

Project has delivered the increased functionality to Yield Prophet including links to POAMA, growth phases and additional cereals covered. A meeting was convened with the project team in early 08 to discuss further enhancements and opportunities for further R&D.

Next Steps: team needs to demonstrate likely RoI of further R&D investment in the agreed areas of enhancement. The first stage in the team’s proposed investment is partially covered in Zvi Hochman’s 2nd round research proposal. Second stage will be submitted as one component of MCV’s application to the DAFF Climate Change Call.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Scoping Northern Australian Seasonal Climate Knowledge R&D Initiative

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:07:29 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

Northern Australia

seasonal climate change

research and development

knowledge

knowledge gaps

retun on investment

Project Information

Summary:

The project team is developing a strategic framework for science investment in northern Australia in seasonal forecasting and applications. Outputs include a report summarising existing knowledge and knowledge gaps, and a draft science plan to focus our investment and hopefully attract co-investors.

Final report included a review of existing knowledge and opportunities, user needs, return on investment analysis and detail of proposed projects.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Improved Seasonal Climate Forecast Information on the Internet

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:05:02 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

Information

internet

seasonal climate change

National Agricultural Monitoring System

Project Information

Summary:

The project objective is delivery of a ‘one-stop shop’ component website within BoM of seasonal forecasting information. The team has developed an interactive map of climate drivers, available on the WATL website, which has been well-received. Other key products developed include rainfall ranges plots and an ENSO wrap up – both available on WATL.

Project proved very productive, with significant steps forward in access to seasonal outlook information on the web, and much positive feedback. Ultimately the products will be linked to selected and reputable, fit for purpose decision support tools, through the MCV website initially and preferably in time via the National Agricultural Monitoring System website.

Current Activities

Status:

Complete

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Understanding frost risk in a variable and changing climate

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:45:22 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

risk management

Wine

grain

variable climate

frost

Project Information

Summary:

Project objective is to improve understanding the changing nature of frost risk at both seasonal and decadal scales for the southern regions of Australia and implications for resident wine and grain industries.

Current Activities

Status:

Pending

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Improving reliability of POAMA regional climate forecasts

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:44:09 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

seasonal climate forecasts

reliability

overly emphatic

National Climate Centre

Project Information

Summary:

This project aims to provide short term interim solutions to improve reliability and hence utilisation of POAMA seasonal climate forecasts, provide understanding of the cause of overly emphatic forecasts, and to provide improved forecast systems to improve reliability and hence utilisation of the POAMA forecasts by the National Climate Centre.

Current Activities

Status:

Pending

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Improving Forecast Accuracy, especially with Improved Ocean Initialisation

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:43:02 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

forecast accuracy

ocean

indian ocean

Project Information

Summary:

This project aims to address the difference in skill of forecasting sea surface temperatures between the tropical Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It is especially aimed at improving predictive skill of conditions in the Indian Ocean and ultimately the predictive skill of regional climate for western, southern and eastern Australia.

Current Activities

Status:

Pending

Location

State & NRM Region:

National

Teleconnections between climate drivers and regional climate, and model representation of these links

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:40:55 +0000

IDs and People

Program:

Managing Climate Variability

Research Type:

Research Project

Subjects

Subjects:

Innovation

Keywords:

el nino southern oscillation

indian ocean dipole

southern annular mode

synoptic weather systems

Project Information

Summary:

This research will investigate the teleconnections between mid-latitude synoptic weather systems and the remote seasonal timescale drivers of climate such as El Nino Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean Dipole and Southern Annular Mode. This project will provide an improved understanding of rain-bearing weather systems and seasonal climate variability with benefits particularly for South-Eastern Australia, but also for the rest of Australia.

Current Activities

Status:

Pending

Location

State & NRM Region:

National