Forest Sciences Commons^™

Salinity Risk Mapping For Assessing Carbon Farming Initiative Proposals: Decision Support And Data Requirements, Paul Raper, Peter Gardiner

Resource management technical reports

The Clean Energy Legislation passed by the Australian Parliament on 8 November 2011 links the carbon price to the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI). Under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 (the Act), proponents need to consider regional natural resource management (NRM) plans to ensure that tree plantings for carbon bio-sequestration maximise environmental benefits and avoid unintended adverse effects on biodiversity, water and agricultural production systems.

Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Meredith Fairbanks, David Bowran, Geraldine Pasqual

Bulletins 4000 -

Agriculture contributes 15.5 per cent of Australia’s emissions (Figure 1), largely due to methane, from ruminant livestock digestion, nitrous oxide from soils and carbon dioxide from fossil fuel use (Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2011; ABARES 2011).

This bulletin identifies current ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Australian agriculture.

Hydrological Impacts Of Integrated Oil Mallee Farming Systems, D L. Bennett, John Andrew Simons, Russell Speed

Resource management technical reports

This study reports on the results from investigations at four sites into the effect of commercial-scale oil mallee systems on localised groundwater systems over seven years. It also reports the results of the use of a numerical model to forecast potential longer term impacts.

Climate Change, Vulnerability And Adaptation For South-West Western Australia: Phase One Of Action 5.5, Western Australian Greenhouse Strategy, Luke Morgan, Jo Anne Molin, Ross George, Richard Mckellar, Janet Conte

Bulletins 4000 -

This report outlines preliminary findings about the impacts of climate changes that occurred during 1975 to 2005 on the South West’s people, its economy and natural ecosystems. The report focuses on vulnerability and adaptation, identifying useful pointers for future work, particularly in relation to how well the community, stakeholders and decision-makers understand climate change as an issue and a threat.

Fire Management Guidelines For Southern Shrubland And Pilbara Pastoral Rangelands : Best Management Practice Guidelines, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Land resources best practice series

Fire is integral to many ecosystems in Western Australian rangelands. Controlled fire can reduce the risk of wild fire, benefit pasture productivity and contribute positively to biodiversity values. Uncontrolled fire is a threat to safety and the business viability of pastoral enterprises and threatens rangeland biodiversity and productivity.This document deals with property-scale management of pastoral leases. Many fire regime issues are more regional in character. These include community safety and health, the impact on regional economies, the societal and cultural values of landscape and the effects on tourism. Ecologically the high productivity, diversity and palatability of recently burnt vegetation is …

Fire Management Guidelines For Kimberley Pastoral Rangelands : Best Management Practice Guidelines, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Land resources best practice series

Kimberley pastoralists operate in a highly fire-prone environment. Uncontrolled fires pose significant economic, safety, and environmental risks to pastoral enterprises. In contrast, the controlled use of fire can benefit land management, animal production and biodiversity conservation. For any given country type, the interactions of fire, grazing and weather have complex effects on both land condition and animal production. Although general guidelines on the use of fire are valuable, based as they are on a combination of experience and available research findings, they should best be regarded as providing a starting point. At the property level, an adaptive approach that incorporates …

Trees Working In Western Australia, Dave Berry

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

There is an air of inevirability about farm forestry - no-one disputs that planting trees is a sure route to curbing agriculture's serious land degredation problem. Dave Berry talks with some of the key players developing the industry.

The Physical And Hydrological Characteristics Of A South Coast Sandplain Site : East Howick Site Survey, Robert Anthony Sudmeyer

Resource management technical reports

This Technical Report documents the physical and hydrological characteristics of a farmland site on the Esperance Sandplain. The site was located on 'Belalie Farm East' 110 km east of the town of Esperance in the locality of Howick (AMG 488900, 6277500) The site was typical of the sandplain landsystem which covers 35% (0.72 million ha) of the Esperance Agricultural Region. The farm was cleared over a number of years beginning in the 1970's and an extensive network of windbreaks established.

Rex ' 96 : An Expert Guide To Revegetation, David Bicknell

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

Agriculture Western Australia has provided coordination and technical input to a powerful source of information on plants for Australian conditions. David Bicknell outlines some of its features and uses.

Farmers, local government, advisers and even gardeners often have trouble finding the right plant for the right place for a given purpose. Rather than spend a lot of time, money and effort looking through scattered sources of information, many people stick with a limited number of species year after year. This neglects plants that may be much better suited to the purpose, and also fails to develop Australia's huge range of …

Merging Conservation With Production In Remnant Bush, Anne Morgan, Alison Fuss

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

Exports of cutflowers and foliage from Western Australia are now worth about $17 million a year. A third of this is picked from the bush, either on Crown Land or areas of remnant bush on private property. While the industry's future lies in cultivation, bush picking is likely to remain important for some years. This can provide both extra income for farmers and benefit the environment - as long as care is taken

Bluegum Timberbelts For Profitable Landcare, Peter Eckersley

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

Revegetation with tasmanian bluegums in wide-spaced timberbelts appears to offer high returns, especially in areas where high winds cause crop and stock losses and where land can be saved from salinity and wwaterlogging.

In the South Coast and South-WestRegions, timberbelts will complement existing enterprises and so optimise overall land use. Graziers should be able to maintaine their stock numbers while creating an on-farm superannuation package.

The Department of Conservation and Land Management has been a major player in the development of bluegum timberbelts, but a few farmers are now adapting this concept to better suit their needs. Initial results are …

Managing Bushland On The Farm, Penny Hussey

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

Since the time of European settlement in Western Australia, the replacement of native vegetation with crops and pastures has led to problems for both agricultural production and nature conservation. The most obvious of these are hydrological changes leading to salinisation and waterlogging, and the extinction of some native plants and animals.

Protection of remaining remnants of native bushland, together with revegetation, is increasingly seen as important ways of achieving sustainable agriculture and maintaining our unique wildlife.

Honey Production In Western Australia, Rob Manning

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

the first ever survey of the potential production and value of apiary products from the south-west of Western Australia has shown beekeepers are collecting only 10 per cent of the potential honey crop.

The biggeest losses in honey production are caused by the enviroment, such as protracted drought, and extreme temperatures, heavy rain and cyclones during flowering. Fire, apiary sites leased but not used, and logging of forests also reduce the availability of apiary sites for honey production.

The Role Of Trees In Sustainable Agriculture : A National Conference : Reprints Of Western Australian Papers, P R. Scott

Resource management technical reports

• The role of trees in land and stream salinity control in Western Australia (Conference paper: N.J. Schofield, M.A. Ban, D.T. Bell, W.J. Boddington, R.J. George, N.E. Pettit)
• The role of trees in providing shelter and controlling erosion in the dry temperate and semi-arid southern agricultural areas of Western Australia (Conference paper: D. Bicknell)
• Management of native woody vegetation on farms in Western Australia (Conference paper: J.P. Pigott)
• Producing timber from trees - options for farmers in Western Australia (Conference paper: R. Moore)
• Trees and shrubs as sources of fodder in Western Australia (Conference paper: E.C. Lefroy)
• Minor forest products in …

Tree Crops For Profit And Land Improvement, John Bartle

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

Western Australian agriculture is deficient in good perennial species. The traditional segregation of agriculture and forestry has diverted attention from commercial wood producing trees as a potential perennial crop. Recently, scientists have made rapid progress in developing tree cropping systems suitable for extensive use in the wetter (more than 600 mm average annual rainfall) areas of the lower south-west. There is potential for a major industry based on fast-growing eucalypts for pulpwood. The foundations for this industry developed from work on agroforestry, forestry sharefarming and salinity control.

Wildlife Corridors In The Wheatbelt, Richard Hobbs, Denis Saunders

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

Native vegetation in the Western Australian wheatbelt now persists mostly in small areas that remained uncleared for various reasons. (See 'Remnant vegetation on farms is a valuable resource' on page 43.) On their own, most of these remnant areas are difficult to manage, and too small to retain viable populations of many of the birds and other animals found in the wheatbelt. These patches of vegetation can be linked by wildlife corridors, which may increase the ability of the wildlife to move about and persist in the area

Whole-Farm Planning : Success At Wilgi Creek, Kevin Shanhun

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

Ian and Bev Lynch own Wilgi Creek, a 376 ha mixed farming property at West Mount Barker in the 700 mm rainfall zone. In 1983, they started a whole-farm plan to overcome the problems of declining production caused by waterlogging (their biggest problem), salinity and deterioration of the remnant native vegetation. Today, their property is an example of a successful, wholefarm land conservation plan based on agroforestry, timber production, water harvesting and improved pastures.

Revegetating Salt-Affected Land With Shrubs, Ed Barrett-Lennard, Fionnuala Frost, Steve Vlahos, Norm Richards

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

The establishment of salt-tolerant shrubs such as saltbush and bluebush on salt-affected land reduces the risk of soil erosion, and can also fit into farm programmes as a profitable enterprise. Salt-tolerant shrubs can be used as forage for sheep in summer and autumn, when the availability of annual pastures is low or annual pastures are just beginning to emerge. This article describes three methods for establishing shrubs on salt-affected land and what affects shrub establishment.

Planting Trees To Control Salinity, Nick Schofield, Phil Scott

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

Dense tree plantings covering at least 30 per cent of cleared land can lower groundwater levels by two metres or more in 10 years from the time of planting. This sizeable drop can be expected at sites receiving 700 to 800 mm of rain a year. Research by the Water Authority of Western Australia shows the most promising strategy when using trees is to put dense plantings on the discharge zone and on lower to midslopes. This strategy is successful where groundwaters contain less than 30,000 milligrams per litre total soluble salts (TSS).

This article discusses research in the 450 …

The Greening Of Australia, Martine Scheltema

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

Many urban Australians have little understanding of the problems of land degradation because it's an extremely slow process that doesn 't directly influence their day-to-day lives. Understandably, they would have trouble relating to sub-soil compaction, waterlogging, increased soil acidity and salinity. They also have trouble comprehending why fencing according to soil type is an important management tool for farmers, or what role contour banks, drainage systems, the addition of gypsum and planting trees have in reversing land degradation. But given that tree loss "has been at the core of almost every aspect of land degradation in Australia ", and that …

Using Trees To Reclaim Land Lost To Saline Seeps, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia, Arthur Wright

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

The National Soil Conservation Program (NSCP) has tapped the vigorous community support for landcare initiatives through its demonstration sites for reclaiming sandplain seeps in the Western Australian wheatbelt. The demonstrations, which use tree plantations to reclaim seeps, began in 1989. The sites are being keenly monitored by participating farmers and members of land conservation districts (LCDs).

Reclaiming Sandplain Seeps Planting Trees, Richard George

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

Sandplain seeps affect large areas of agricultural land in Western Australia's eastern and northern wheatbelt and in the Great Southern. These seeps are estimated to account for about 10 per cent of dryland salinity in the agricultural area. Research and field observations show that seeps may be cheaply and quickly reclaimed using various types of drains or small blocks of trees (George 1990). This article discusses results of reclamation methods associated with tree planting on sandplain seeps in the eastern wheatbelt.

Survey Of The Damage Caused To Trees By Goats, Steve Gherardi, Dick Mills, Tim Johnson

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

The damage that goats can cause to trees is one of the major problems associated with their farming in the agricultural areas of Australia. It is also considered one of the main hindrances to the development of the goat industry. The Department of Agriculture s Goat Industry Development Unit surveyed mohair and cashmere producers to determine the prevalence of tree damage and its extent and severity; why producers believed goats damaged trees; and how producers minimised or prevented this damage.

Remnant Vegetation On Farms Is A Valuable Resource, Richard Hobbs, Ken Wallace

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

Retention of native vegetation on farms is important both from an ecological and an economic point of view. Productivity in the paddocks ultimately will depend on the retention and replacement of trees and shrubs in the landscape. Remnants of native vegetation can play their part by helping to ensure the long-term viability of the agricultural system, as well as greatly enhancing the quality of life for those living on the land.

Windbreaks Prove Their Worth, Tim Negus

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

Strong winds in the south-west of Western Australia in April 1991 carted tonnes of top soil from stubbles, over-grazed pastures, and recently prepared cropping land. However, where there were windbreaks, downwind protection into the paddock was up to 10 to 20 times the height of the windbreaks. On May 1, 1991, the author inspected farm land for damage from Narrogin to the Dongolocking area, to Harrismith, up the rabbit-proof fence to West Corrigin and back to Narrogin via Kweda. He found the extent of soil erosion varied, and that some tree species planted in windbreaks gave better protection than others

Trees And Livestock : A Productive Co-Existence, Richard Moore

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

Trees, as part of farming can help to combat land degradation problems and produce a good economic return from timber at the same time. For example, there is now clear evidence that planting trees can help combat salinity by lowering water-table levels. Trees can also substantially improve overall farm productivity by providing shelter for pastures and livestock. The challenge is to find practical and economical methods of integrating trees and farming. A combination of widely-spaced trees and livestock is one promising method. This article describes the benefits of this type of agroforestry to farmers, suitable locations and how to practice …

Variable Quality Of Saltbush Seed Influences Establishment, Stephen Vlahos, Donald Nicholas, Clive Malcolm

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

Farmers are using niche seeders to direct-seed saltbushes (Atriplex spp.) cheaply on large areas of salt affected land. While many factors influence successful establishment of these shrubs, fanners can control the quality of the seed they use. Too often, the lack of knowledge of saltbush seed quality has resulted in extremely poor establishment. The importance of seed quality is well recognized in the establishment of grain crops and pastures, but it is often overlooked when farmers buy or select seed of saltbush. If farmers know the quality of the seed they buy, they can make appropriate adjustments to the sowing …

Salinity In Western Australia : A Situation Statement, V T. Read

Resource management technical reports

The Select Committee on Salinity was established by the Legislative Council of the Parliament of Western Australia in November 1987 to inquire into and report on salinity in Western Australia giving particular regard to:

• what action has, or is being taken, to assess the magnitude of the problem;

• what form of action can, or should, be taken to control salinity;

• what legislative of administrative acts or incentives to the private sector are necessary or desirable to assist further in controlling or eradicating salinity.

Members appointed to the Select Committee were the Honourable David Wordsworth (Chairman), the Honourable …

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.

Tree Establishment In The Wheatbelt, F Batini

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

Although most of the Forests Department's activity has centred around the State Forests in the higher rainfall areas, the Department has, for many years, encouraged the planting and conservation of trees throughout the farming areas.