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Making Horticulture Sustainable, Bob Paulin, Neil Clifton Lantzke, Ian Mcpharlin, Murray Hegney

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Sweet crunchy carrots, luscious strawberries at very reasonable prices, crisp green vegetables - these are just a few of the horticultural products that Western Australians take for granted and eat almost every day. But is their future availability guaranteed as population grows, suburbia spreads and environmental concern increases?

Benchmarks For The Rangelands : Mapping And Assessing Country Types In The Outback, Hugh Pringle, Alan Payne

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Rangeland surveys map and describe the outback to help evaluate whether current land uses are appropriate and to highlighe areas with potential form other land uses.

The information can also be used to help minimise adverse environmental impacts, restore damaged areas and better use natural recourses in a sustainable fashion.

Hugh Pringle and Alan Payne outline the survey program which has been in progress for a number of years.

Alternative Land Uses, D A. Morrison, B. C. Mattinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

One aproach to minimise the high nutrient content and associated algal pollution of the Peel-Harvey estuarine system is to reduce phosphorus losses at their source. Farmers can do this by changing land use is such a way thar phosphorus run-off fromthe catchment soils into drainage is prevented or at least reduced.

The department of Agriculture is investigating the economics of alternative uses, particularly substituting forestry with Pinus pinaster or Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian blue gum) for present beef and sheep enterprises. P. pinaster is used for logging and E. globulus for pulping.

Conservation Of The National Estate, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

In 1973 the Australian Government established a Committee of Inquiry under Mr. Justice R. M. Hope to inquire into the National Estate. Under its terms of reference the Committee was to assess the nature and condition of the National Estate and the measures which were being and should be taken for its preservation and enhancement.

Officers of the Department of Agriculture recognise that there are basic natural resources such as land, water, gene material and ecosystems which are essential elements of the National Estate held in trust by successive generations.

In a submission to the Inquiry, matters of particular concern …

Land Use In The Kulin-Kondinin-Hyden District : Notes On A Recent Survey, D J. Carder

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A RECENT survey by the Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service has highlighted the nature of the problems facing farmers with flooded or salt-affected land near salt lake country in the wheatbelt.