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Soil Conservation Research In New South Wales And Its Significance To Research On Water Erosion In Western Australia, D J. Mcfarlane

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Trophic Dynamics Of A Nebraska Black Crappie And White Crappie Population, Daryl G. Ellison

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission: Staff Research Publications

Diet variations of black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) were investigated at Hayes Center State Lake, a turbid 20-hectare state lake in southwest Nebraska. Zooplankton and insects accounted for most of the diet of all black crappie and of white crappie less than 200 mm long. The daily ration of planktophagic crappie declined to 1.3% as both species approached a length of 200 mm. Black crappie longer than 200 mm did not convert to fish and the daily ration declined to 0.8%. The dietary shift of white crappie to fish significantly increased the …

Research Objectives In Vertebrate Pest Control, A J. Oliver

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

The European rabbit, introduced into Australia in 856 by an early settler for hunting, caused massive losses to agricultural production in Western Australia in 1940s and 1950s.

In those years most of the country's recources and efforts allocated to vertebrate pest problems were aimed at controlling this animal.

Research and control measures by Commonwealth and State agencies, including the introduction of myxomatosis, were largely responsible for reducing the rabbit problem to the comparatively minor one it is now.

Today, the Agricultural Protection Board is involved in the control of a much wider range of mammals and birds which cause losses …

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.

Rabbit Kitten Survival In The South-West, D R. King

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

In the South-West of Western Australis reliable winter rains allow the rabbit breeding season to extend through winter and spring, and thus a large number of kittens are produced each year.

Studies on the biology of rabbits at Cape Naturaliste (270 kilometres south-west of Perth) and Chidlow (40 kilometres east of Perth in the Datling Range) have shown that at these sites each doe produces about 30 and 27 kittens respectively a year. If all these youg rabbits survived, there would be a 15-fold increase in numbers. Within a short time the State would be covered "wall to wall" by …

Rabbits North Of Carnarvon, D R. King

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

In Westeern Australia rabbits are mainly a pest along the south-western coastal parts of the State, but there are populations north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Rabbits after crossing the Nullarbour plain from South Australia and colonising the South-West of the State, were reported to have reached the west coast near Geraldton by 1912 and then spread northwards.

There is little information on the biologhy of rabbits in the northan parts of their range, but pastoralists in some areas are concerned about erosion and damage to vegetation on their stations when rabbits reach high numbers.

The Agricultural Protection Board undertook …

Myxomatosis In Western Australia, D R. King, S. H. Wheeler

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

Since myxomatosis was introduced to Western Australia in the early 1950s rabbit plagues have ceased. However, myxomatosis has not proven to be the whole answer to the rabit problem.

Rabits continue to damage crops and pastures in many areas and resurgences of rabbit populations are reported from time to time.

Drs D.R. King and S. H. Wheeler of the Agricultural Protection Board's research section have been studying the way myxomatosis epidemics occur and spread in rabbit populations in a range of Western Australian environments. This research will provide data for planning effective control strategies intergrating the various control options available …

Feral Donkeys : An Assessment Of Control In The Kimberley, S H. Wheeler

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

Feral donkeys are one of the major limitations to increased pastoral production in many parts of the Kimberley area of Western Australia, where they compete with cattle for food. In addition donkeys are aggressive animals, driving cattle from watering points and better grazing areas. They eliminate perenial plants by overgrazing and therefore reduce the carrying capacity of the range.

Originally introduced as draught animals, donkeys were released when cars arrived; since then they have bred up to large numbers in many areas.

For several years the Agricultural Protection Board has undertaken a programme of donkey shooting from helicopters. Since this …

Algal Problems Of The Estuary, E. P. Hodgkin, P. B. Birch

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

The Peel-Harvey esturine system study began in 1976 because people living near Peel Inlet complained about the accumulation of water weeds and algae on the shores and the smell of hydrogen sulphide (rotton egg gas) that resulted from their decomposition. From 1974 efforts had been made to control this 'algal problem' by raking up the weed with tractors and carting it away. This 'cosmetic activity had little impact on the problem.

The immediate cause was obvious: a carpet of green algae covering about 20square kilometres of the bottom of Peel Inlet. From time to time this 'goat weed' floated to …

Algal Growth And The Phosphorus Cycle, Arthur J. Mccomb, K. S. Hamel, A. L. Huber, D. K. Kidby, R. J. Lukatelich

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

Larger algae and microscopic phytoplankton foul the waters of the Peel-Harvey estuarine system, upsetting the fishery and polluting the beaches.

These aquatic plants grow in response to phosphorus runoff from drainage, trapping phosphorus in the estuary and using it in their growth. When they die this phosphorus remains in the system to be recycled for further plant growth.

Algal pollution in the estuary can be lessened by reducing the amount of phosphorus entering the system, increasing phosphorus losses to the ocean, or in some way blocking the trapping and recycling processes.

Soil Improvement With Bauxite Residues, W H. Tacey, S. C. Ward, K. J. Summers, N. J. Barrow

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

The sandy soils of the Peel-Harvey catchment hold water and nutrients very poorly. The Gavin ridges dry out quickly during rainless periods and this severely limits pasture growth. These ridges and the lower lying Joel and Coolup sands also lose a large proportion of the phosphorus, sulfer and potash fertilisers applied to them. Normally the sands lack clay materials to bind and hold the nutrients so rainfall leaches them out.

The Peel-Harvey Study Group, CSIRO, Alcoa and Murdock University have studied the use of a residue from bauxite mining to help overcome these problems. The treated residue has a texture …

Causes Of Soil Acidity, W M. Porter

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

The introduction of agriculture into australia has caused many of our soils to become more acid faster than they would have otherwise.

In Europe and other parts of the world, soil acidification is accepted as a normal by-product of a successful agricultural system. Lime* is widley used to neutralise the acids added as a result of agricultural practices.

In Western Australia, lime applications will be needed more frequently in the future, although maybe not in the same volumes as in Europe.

Erosion And Sedimentation In Utah: A Guide For Control, C. Earl Israelsen, Eugene K. Israelsen

Reports

No abstract provided.

Die Mongoleisammlung Im Herbarium Der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Werner Hilbig

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

Das Herbarium der Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg besitzt eine umfangreiche Sammlung von Pflanzen aus der Mongolei. Das im wesentlichen während gemeinsamer deutsch-mongolischer biologischer Expeditionen gesammelte Material liegt als selbständige Sammlung vor. Sie enthält ca. 8000 Bögen höherer Pflanzen und umfaßt ca. 1300 determinierte Arten. Ein bedeutender Teil wurde von Spezialisten bestimmt. Umfangreich sind auch die Aufsammlungen von Flechten und Moosen , geringer die von Pilzen. Es konnten hierbei wie bei den höheren Pflanzen zahlreiche Erstnachweise erbracht werden.

In der Hauptsammlung des Herbariums sind Herbarbelege v on Pflanzen des mongolischen und südsibirischen Raumes aus dem 19. Jahrhundert enthalten, z. T. von A . …

The Impact Of Nitrification On Soil Acidification And Cation Leaching In A Red Alder Ecosystem, H. Van Miegroet, D. W. Cole

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

The objectives of this study were to investigate the impacts of internal nitrification on soil and soil solution acidity and on the rate of nutrient export through NO3– mediated leaching. This was achieved by comparing soil chemical properties and soil solution composition within a naturally N-rich red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) ecosystem to those of an adjacent Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesil (Mirbel) Franco] forest where soil N levels were significantly lower and no measurable HNO3 production could be observed. In the red alder system, where > 100 kg ha–1 yr–1 of N were added through symbiotic N2 fixation, the net annual NO3– …

Soil Types And Drainage, Eric Bettenay, N. J. Schofield

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

At least 90 per cent of the phosphorus entering the Peel-Harvey estuarine system comes from land cleared for agriculture, most of it from the coastal plain. These soils are naturally deficient on phosphorus and sulfur and this is supplied in superphosphate, which contains about 10 per cent phosphorus and 1 percent sulphur.

However, rain leaches some of this applied phosphorus from the land into drains and rivers which flow into the estuary. In 1981, farmers in the Harvey River-Mayfields Drain catchment lost the equivalent of 1,300 tonnes of superphosphate into the estuary. Between them they have in effect spent $120,000 …

Tackling The Problem Off The Farm, C M. Croft

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

Methods of redusing phosphorus losses from the catchment soils of the Peel-Harvey esturine system have been discussed in other articles in this Journal.

This article briefly discusses a range of 'off the farm' techniques to improve phosphorus flushing from Peel Inlet or Harvey Estuary to the sea and to treat the phosphorus and the algae. These techniques were among more than 100 management options evaluated by the Peel-Harvey Study Group.

The Extension Programme, W K. Russell, G. K. Palmer

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

From the start of the Peel-harvey study in 1976, scientific research and extension have been closely linked. Trials, some involving major drainage works, have been set up on about 30 farms and several field days and seminars have been held.

The Peel-Harvey Study Group anticipates that farmer acceptance of the Department of agriculture's recommendations will reduce the phosphorus input to the estuary by 30 to 40 per cent over the next three to five years. At the same time farmers will benefit from modified cultural practices better suited to the sandy soils of the coastal plain.

Factors Affecting Water Quality And Microinvertebrate Distribution Within A Small Black Hills Stream, Henry G. Drewes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A comparative evaluation of the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna was conducted concurrently with a physiochemical investigation on Slate Creek, Pennington County, South Dakota in the Black Hills. Water quality differences between years and among stations were detected in Slate Creek from both physiochemical and macroinvertebrate evaluations. The primary sources of disturbance to the Slate Creek study site during the sampling period were landscaping activities within the Deerfield Park Resort development and livestock activity. Increased runoff and elevated stream flows in 1982 were responsible for the variation in water quality between years. Water quality differences among stations indicated significantly (P < 0.05) higher turbidity and temperature immediately below the development site in 1981 and 1982. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher fecal coliform bacteria counts were observed at station 5 for both years, resulting from increased livestock activity. Phosphates and nitrates were highest at stations 4 and 5 but were not significantly (P > 0.05) different …

Intensive Culture Of Largemouth Bass And Walleye Fry In Experimental Systems, Gerald A. Wickstrom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Six genera of invertebrates were made available to largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fry for 25 days. Brachionus spp. was selected for during both day and night (1100 and 2300 h) for the first seven days. Cyclops vemalis was selected on days 1 - 14; it was selected for more during the day for days 1 - 7. Daphnia pulex and D. magna were selected for during days 15 - 25. As the fry grew during the study they ate significantly (P < 0.05) larger D. pulex and D. magna. Moina brachiata was not selected for; it was eaten throughout the study in approximately the same proportion as available. Diaptomus spp. And Ceanestheriella setosa were not eaten. The fry increased in mean length from 6.5 mm on day 1 to 29.8 mm on day 25 of the study. Mean daily length increase was 0.93 mm. Newly hatched walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) fry were intensively cultured on a diet of live zooplankton under three conditions for 48 days. The fry were reared in tanks under constant illumination (375 lux), in tanks under reduced illumination (105 lux), and in tanks which contained visual interceptors (400 lux). Mean survival of walleyes was 14.0% in tanks under constant illumination, 11.6% in tanks under reduced illumination, and 4.7% in tanks which contained visual interceptors. Mean unaccountable mortality of walleyes was 21.8% in constant illumination tanks, 35.7% in reduced illumination tanks, and 27.4% in tanks with visual interceptors. The fry increased in mean length from 8.6 mm at the start of the study to 36.3 mm (0.76 mm/day) in constant illumination tanks, 36.6 mm (0.76 mm/day) in reduced illumination tanks, and 33.7 mm (0.70 mm/day) in tanks with visual interceptors after 48 days of intensive culture.

Food Selectivity Of Bluegill And Green Sunfish Fry, Aaron Barkoh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Four genera of zooplankton and cladoceran egg cases, collected from a municipal sewage lagoon, were made available as food to green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) fry, to examine their food selectivity. Green sunfish and bluegill fry ranged in size from 8.5-11.0 mm and 8.0-10.5 mm at stocking and were reared for 31 and 30 days, respectively. The gut contents of 1488 green sunfish and 1440 bluegill fry, representing day and night samples were examined. Diet composition was evaluated using the linear food selection index. Both green sunfish and bluegill fry selected for Cvclops vernalis and consistently selected …

The Response Of Invertebrates In Temporary Vernal Wetlands To Altosid Sr-10 As Used In Mosquito Abatement Programs, Ronald W. Lawrenz

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Three temporary vernal wetlands on the Bayport Wildlife Management Area in eastern Washington County, Minnesota, were divided by sandbag barrier into treatment and control areas. Designated areas were treated with Altosid® SR-10 briquets at standard mosquito control rates. Invertebrate populations were monitored weekly using net sweeps, column samples, and ocular estimates.

The development of Eubranchtpus bundyi, Lyncerus sp, and Daphnia sp., the three major components of the invertebrate fauna, was delayed by as much as one week in site 47. Similar developmental lags were noted for E. bundyi populations in the treated portions of sites 6 and 32. Delay of …

The Soil Phosphorus Store, G S P Ritchie, D. M. Weaver

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

The management of the soil phosphorus store, or 'super bank' to minimise phosphorus leaching losses is a vital part of any strategy to reduce algal pollution of the Peel-Harvey estuary.

Phosphorus can exist in the soil in four main 'pools'. it may occur in the soil solution or in one of the three pools that contain phosphorus in solid forms. This phosphorus can be in compounds (fertilisers, dead plant material); adsorbed (attached) to soil particles such as organic matter, clay and iron oxide; or as constituents of micro-organisms.

Soil Testing For Acidity, I R. Wilson

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

One of the most important aspects of the soil acidity research programme is the accurate analysis of soil and plant materials.

A soil acidity problem cannot be simply diagnosed with one test. Although the soil pH test is used for the initial evaluation of soil acidity, it does not measure the other factors which affect plant growth as a result of this acidity.

For example, plant growth on a coastal soil with pH 4.3 (in water) may not be affected by applying lime, but growth may improve markedly on a central wheatbelt soil of pH 4,8 (in water).

Another two …

Modifying Fertiliser Practices, J S. Yeates, D. M. Deeley, M. F. Clarke, D. Allen

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

If modified fertiliser practices are adopted phosphorus losses from the Peel-Harvey catchment can be reduced. Farmers can save money on fertiliser applications and the need for more expensive catchment management measures to reduce algal pollution of the estuary will be avoided.

Research data available so far indicate that, with farmer co-operation and the use of the new slow release fertiliser New Coastal Superphosphate, long-term phosphorus application rates can be reduced by 30-40 per cent - and possibly even halved - without lowering agricultural production. This will also reduce phosphorus loss to drainage water.

Although much of the research since 1982 …

Keynote Address, Robert J. Pool

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Most modern environmentalists during their formative years have had little actual contact with wildlife under natural conditions. Their wildlife philosophies have been developed via the mass media and from experiences with animals as pets or confined in zoos. In general, modern environmentalists are sincere, dedicated, idealistic and enthusiastic, but they often lack realism and are blessed with the innocence of naivete. The majority of people in the United States now exhibit strong affection for wild animals and are deeply concerned over any actions perceived as causing pain to individual animals. These attitudes towards wild animals will impact on future wildlife …

The Wildlife Society's Committee On Wildlife Damage Control, Terrell P. Salmon

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In 1982, the President of the Wildlife Society created a Committee to make recommendations on what the Society should do to be an attractive organization for wildlife professionals specializing in wildlife damage control. The Committee, composed of 7 professionals in wildlife damage control, made 13 recommendations to the Society. Which, if implemented will improve the Society's relationship with wildlife damage control professionals.

Rhode Island's Barrier Beaches: As Assessment Of Their Future, David J. Hampshire

Marine Affairs Theses and Major Papers

The lands and waters of the coastal zone have either been mismanaged or not managed at all since the early settling of the United States. Nowhere is this more evident, perhaps than along the nation's barrier beaches. Rhode Island, while not suffering nearly from the degree of development on its barrier beaches as other states, is no exception. Economic pressures brought to bear have forced federal, state, and local governments to grapple extensively with this issue. The need for the preservation of barrier beaches in their natural state cannot be overstated and is recognized by all levels of government. This …

Improved Methods And Guidelines For Modeling Stormwater Runoff From Surface Coal Mined Lands, Michael E. Meadows, George E. Blandford

KWRRI Research Reports

The investgations, developments and guidelines for several hydrologic modeling strategies are presented. Investigations were conducted to determine appropriate event curve numbers for surface mined disturbed watersheds; and performance of four synthetic unit hydrograph models (SCS curvilinear, SCS single triangle, Williams and TVA double triangle) on 38 USDA experimental watersheds in 14 physiographic provinces using in excess of 270 events. A second test using only the SCS curvilinear unit hydrograph on 11 small watersheds and 48 events was conducted to investigate the excess rainfall pattern simulated with the curve number model. A procedure for developing a unit hydrograph using the time …

A Comparative Study Of Geologic Information Derived From Visually Interpreted Slar And Landsat Imagery, William Leo Barry

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Geologists have used numerous tYPes of remote sensors for the interpretation of earth surface features. Two of the more recently developed remote sensors are SLAR (side-looking airborne radar) and LANDSAT (ERTS, Earth's Resources Technology Satellite, renamed L~~DSAT). The author undertook a straightforward qualitative research study to ascertain and compare the amount, types and reliability of the geologic information which can be derived separately from visually interpreted LANDSAT and SLAR imagery. The area selected for this study is located in north-central Arizona. The imagery analyzed consists of unenhanced black and white ... multispectral scanner (MSS) bands 5, 6 and 7 LANDSAT …