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Fisheries Science Update - West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource - October 2021, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Science Updates

The West Coast Demersal Scalefish Resource (WCDSR) is halfway into a 20-year recovery plan following a period of overfishing in the 1990s and 2000s.

This latest assessment provides an important “health check” on the recovery status.

The recovery plan is based on maintaining recreational (including charter) and commercial sector’s total fishing mortality below catch limits and protecting key spawning aggregations to recover the WCDSR by 2030.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) tracks recovery progress by undertaking weight of evidence stock assessments of WCDSR indicator species dhufish and pink snapper every 3-5 years.

The latest science shows …

Otoliths Of South-Western Australian Fish: A Photographic Catalogue, Chris Dowling, Kim Smith, Elaine Lek, Joshua Brown

Fisheries Research Reports

Due to the species-specific nature of otoliths and given they are often the only part of the fish preserved when fish die, otolith catalogues can be used in numerous applications, such as diet studies in fish eating animals, including pinnipeds, fish and sea birds; archaeological purposes such as reconstructing indigenous people’s diets from otoliths found in middens or evolutionary history of fish species by comparing fossilized otoliths. Given the unique mixture of subtropical and temperate fish, including many endemic species that occur off the southwest corner of WA having a catalogue for this area is extremely important for people working …

Rabbit Control: Rhdv1 K5, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity factsheets

The national release of the Korean strain of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, RHDV1 K5, took place during the first week of March 2017. It was the first time in 20 years a new rabbit biocontrol agent had been released into Australia, and was part of a 20-year national biocontrol plan for rabbits. More than 600 release sites were selected, including 110 sites in Western Australia (WA).

RHDV1 K5 is a naturally occurring Korean variant of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). Its release was expected to boost management and help slow the increase in rabbit numbers. RHDV1 K5 does not …

Continental-Scale Network Reveals Cross-Jurisdictional Movements Of Sympatric Sharks With Implications For Assessment And Management, Charlie Huveneers, Yuri Niella, Michael Drew, Rory Mcauley, Paul A. Butcher, Victor Peddemors, Daniela Waltrick, Chris Dowling, Silas Mountford, Ian S. Keay, Matias Braccini

Fisheries Research Articles

Understanding the movement ecology of marine species and connectivity of populations is required for effective fisheries management. This is especially the case for species with wide-ranging distributions for which movement can span across several jurisdictions with different management regulations. We used the Australian national network of acoustic receivers facilitated by the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) to describe the extent and frequency of movements for two large epipelagic shark species, the bronze whaler (Carcharhinus brachyurus) and dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus). A total of 210 sharks (117 bronze whalers and 93 dusky sharks) were tracked for a …

Primary Industries Development Research Highlights 2021, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Tim Scanlon

Books & book chapters

The Primary Industries Development Research Highlights 2021 showcases the breadth and depth of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s research and development activities over the past several years.

Stories featured in Research Highlights 2021 stem from about 60 (of 140) current and recently-completed projects undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) 1100 scientists, technical experts and economists throughout the State.

Explore our Research Highlights 2021.

The publication demonstrates the innovative and applicable research that DPIRD and its collaborators and investment partners deliver to Western Australia.

Download the Research Highlights 2021 here. Alternatively, …

Kikuyu (Cenchrus Clandestinus) For Dryland Salinity Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Natural resources factsheets

Kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus) is a subtropical, perennial C4 grass that is widely used as a pasture and turf.

It has some salinity tolerance, and moderate waterlogging tolerance. Kikuyu is commonly established from seed and can also be grown from vegetative plantings, unlike marine couch, saltwater couch and Distichlis (vegetative only).

We recommend that any dryland salinity management is part of a whole farm, and preferably a whole catchment, water management plan.

Testing A Global Standard For Quantifying Species Recovery And Assessing Conservation Impact, Molly K. Grace, H Resit Akcakaya, Elizabeth L. Bennett, Thomas M. Brooks, Anna Heath, Simon Hedges, Craig Hilton-Taylor, Michael Hoffmann, Axel Hochkirch, Richard Jenkins, David A. Keith, Barney Long, David P. Mallon, Erik Meijaard, E J. Milner-Gulland, Jon Paul Rodriguez, P J. Stephenson, Simon N. Stuart, Richard P. Young, David Fairclough

Fisheries Research Articles

Recognizing the imperative to evaluate species recovery and conservation impact, in 2012 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) called for development of a “Green List of Species” (now the IUCN Green Status of Species). A draft Green Status framework for assessing species’ progress toward recovery, published in 2018, proposed 2 separate but interlinked components: a standardized method (i.e., measurement against benchmarks of species’ viability, functionality, and preimpact distribution) to determine current species recovery status (herein species recovery score) and application of that method to estimate past and potential future impacts of conservation based on 4 metrics ( …

The Applicability, Efficacy And Risks Of Natural Sequence Farming In The Dryland Agricultural Zone Of South West Western Australia, Nik Callow, Rose Anne Bell

Natural resources commissioned reports

Natural sequence farming (NSF) is an approach to restoring degraded agricultural land, developed by Peter Andrews on his property Tarwyn Park in New South Wales. The approach aims to rehydrate the landscape by slowing the movement of water with a series of structures and then using this water to drive plant growth and improve soil function.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development engaged the University of Western Australia to review the applicability, efficacy and risks associated with using NSF principles and practices in the south-west dryland agricultural zone in Western Australia. The review has combined information from the …

Fractured Rock Groundwater Wa Wheatbelt: Data And Methodology Review, Louise Hopgood, Richard Nixon

Natural resources commissioned reports

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in partnership with Water Corporation, working with Murdoch and Curtin universities, are looking at new options to improve farm water security in the wheatbelt of Western Australia.

Winter rainfall has declined since 2000 and dams, traditionally used for farm water supply, no longer provide sufficient or reliable water, especially after 1 to 2 below average years. Increasingly, groundwater supplies are being considered to supply farm needs, including those from fractured rock aquifers, with opportunities to desalinate to improve water quality.

This project undertook to review groundwater availability in fractured rock aquifers …

Native Symbiotic Fungus Increases Shoot Biomass And Grain Yield Of Canola, Khalil Kariman, Craig Scanlan, Zed Rengell

The State of Soil Science in WA

More than 90% of land plant species (including most agricultural crops) form beneficial associations with soil-borne mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal hyphae allow plants to indirectly explore a large soil volume and forage for nutrients (most importantly P, but also micronutrients) that are usually poorly available in soils due to their immobility. Recent studies using state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technologies have unearthed much more complexity in root-fungal relationships than those discovered using the traditional morphology-based approaches.

Are Ironstone Gravel Soils In Southwest Western Australia: All The Same?, Karen Holmes, Edward Arnold Griffin, Dennis Van Gool

The State of Soil Science in WA

Ironstone gravel soils are widespread, locally common, and important for cropping in Western Australia (WA). The spatial extent of these soils is reasonably well known, but geographic differences and distinct subgroups of gravel soils are not. We present a novel approach to map ironstone gravel layers and associated fine earth texture classes to improve understanding of gravel soil characteristics and distribution across southwestern WA.

Monitoring Groundcover And Associated Erosion Risks Using Satellite Remote Sensing In The Agricultural Region Of Western Australia, Justin Laycock, Nick Middleton, John A. Simons, Tim Overheu, Buddy Wheaton, Karen Holmes

The State of Soil Science in WA

National satellite-derived fractional groundcover products (percentage of green vegetation, dry vegetation, bare soil) are now routinely produced by Geoscience Australia and other groups, and are available for interpretation. The extensive coverage, frequent repeated observations and large archive of historical imagery supports more objective and reproducible methods than previous degradation monitoring efforts that were based on intermittent field surveys of land condition and anecdotal reporting. Landsat (30 m pixel resolution) seasonal composite images will be used to estimate total groundcover throughout the year, and assess the proportion of cropland in the grainbelt below recommended cover thresholds of 50% for wind erosion, …

Nrinfo 2019 Release: Wa Natural Resource Information Available Through Web Portal, Justin Laycock, Angela Stuart-Street, Dennis Van Gool

The State of Soil Science in WA

NRInfo (natural resource information) provides the user with access to digital mapping and information for natural resources across Western Australia. This information may be used for regional and strategic planning, and for identifying areas needing more intensive assessment.

Nutrient Recovery Via Anaerobic Digestion Of Supermarket Food Waste And Re-Use As Fertiliser In Potting Media For The Urban Retail Market; A Proof Of Concept Using Digestate And Biochar, Bede Mickan, Somayeh Zarezadeh, Sasha Jenkins, Aitian Ren, Zakaria Solaimon, Megan H. Ryan

The State of Soil Science in WA

Food waste can be diverted from landfill and utilised via anaerobic digestion (AD) to produce biogas. The liquid by-product of AD is commonly referred to as digestate, and this can be an organic certifiable biofertilizer. Digestate in Europe is frequently used in agriculture, though is not commonly used in the urban retail market. Biochar is another organic matter which can adsorb and retain the nutrients, and also could decrease the adverse effects of high nitrogen content of soil.

Profile Texture Classes: A New Data-Driven Functional Soil Classification For Southwestern Australia, Edward Arnold Griffin, Karen Holmes

The State of Soil Science in WA

Soil information is critical for efficient and sustainable agricultural management. However, there is typically a hiatus between soil information which government agencies charged with supporting agriculture develop and deliver, and the information land managers can easily use for management in the paddock. This hiatus is largely due to (1) differences in the spatial scale of information needed by these different groups, and (2) communication-style inhibiting soil science information into management advice. We outline and evaluate a ‘three factor functional soil classification’ based on soil texture, depth, and gravel content for south-western WA, referred to as Profile Texture Classes (PTC).

Soil Exchangeable Cations Increase Microbial Carbon Use Efficiency And Microbial Growth In Acidic Soils, Emilia Horn, Emily Cooledge, Anna Ray, Davey Jones, Steve Rushton, Eizabeth Stockdale, Frances C. Hoyle, Yoshi Sawada, Daniel Murphy

The State of Soil Science in WA

Microbial growth and function is influenced by the properties of the surrounding soil where surface chemistry mediates interactions between individual organisms and their local microenvironment. We hypothesised that the addition of exchangeable base cations, necessary for microbial biochemical function, will increase microbial growth in acidic soils.

Talking The Same Soil Language - A Simple Guide For Describing Wa Soils, Angela Stuart-Street, Nicolyn Short Dr, Tim Overheu

The State of Soil Science in WA

The Western Australian Government is working to conserve and manage the State's natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations. In support of this, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have prepared a simple instructional field guide for recording and describing Western Australian unique and challenging soils and landscapes.

Forensic Analysis Of Perth’S Soils, Kari Pitts, Richard Clarke, Talia Newland, Simon Lewis

The State of Soil Science in WA

The examination and comparison of soil and related material transferred in situations of contact is a powerful method for linking persons, vehicles, equipment and locations. The evidential value of soil comparison derives from its widespread distribution, highly variable composition, relative ease of transfer, persistence and resistance to degradation. Sandy soils, present a challenge, with minimal organic material and heavy minerals resulting in limited material for comparisons, regardless of the bulk amounts present.

The Methodology For Farm-Scale Modelling For Spatio-Temporal Prediction Of Soil Carbon Sequestration Under Climate Change, Lynette Abbott, Jolene Otway, Louise Barton, Jennifer Dungait

The State of Soil Science in WA

A methodology for region-specific adaptation of existing soil carbon (C) models was developed by integrating location-specific automated data with local farm-based knowledge. The aim was to optimise the balance between scientific accuracy and farm-scale practicality of C modelling tools to identify the most influential location-specific variables.

Topsoil Evaporation In Water Repellent Soil Affected By Tillage And Claying: Preliminary Case-Study Results, Giacomo Betti, Gaus Azam

The State of Soil Science in WA

Soil water repellence represents one of the major soil constraints to broad-acre agriculture in southern Australia. Topsoil wettability is significantly reduced by the presence of hydrophobic organic compounds, resulting in poor seed germination, early plant establishment and ultimately lower yields. Soil mechanical disturbance (tillage) in combination or not with the addition of clay-rich subsoil (e.g. clay spreading) have been successfully adopted in the Australian broad-acre agriculture for the amelioration of water repellent sandy soils.

Topsoil Evaporation In Water Repellent Soil Affected By Tillage And Claying: Preliminary Case-Study Results, Giacomo Betti, Gaus Azam

The State of Soil Science in WA

Soil water repellence represents one of the major soil constraints to broad-acre agriculture in southern Australia. Topsoil wettability is significantly reduced by the presence of hydrophobic organic compounds, resulting in poor seed germination, early plant establishment and ultimately lower yields. Soil mechanical disturbance (tillage) in combination or not with the addition of clay-rich subsoil (e.g. clay spreading) have been successfully adopted in the Australian broad-acre agriculture for the amelioration of water repellent sandy soils.

Topsoil Water Repellence Increased Early Wheat Growth And Nutrition, Simon Yeap, Richard Bell, Craig Scanlan, Richard Harper

The State of Soil Science in WA

Soil water repellence, derived from the accumulation of hydrophobic organic compounds, is a constraint to crop and pasture production worldwide predominantly in sandy soils. Inhibited water infiltration, unstable wetting, and preferential flow are key hydrologic issues in water-repellent soil which adversely affect plant germination and establishment. However, despite the general understanding that soil water repellence can reduce soil nutrient bioavailability due to the prevalence of dry topsoil, the implications of water-repellent topsoil for plant growth and nutrition per se are unclear.

Assessing The Suitability Of Black Soldier Fly Castings Produced From Piggery Waste As A Fertilizer, Luke Wheat, Lynette Abbott, Ian Waite, Sasha Jenkins

The State of Soil Science in WA

Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens, BSF) farming provides an alternative waste management solution on piggeries by utilising manure to produce a high protein insect meal, whilst the fly castings (frass) are a valuable fertiliser.

Continental-Scale Soil Organic Carbon Composition And Vulnerability Regulated By Regional Soil And Environmental Controls, Raphael A. Viscarra Rossel, Juhwan Lee, T Brehrens, Z Lou, J Baldock, A. Richards

The State of Soil Science in WA

Processes that control soil organic carbon (C) composition and dynamics over large scales are not well understood. Thus, our understanding of C cycling is incomplete, making it difficult to predict C gains and losses due to changes in climate, land use and management. In this paper, we show that controls on the composition of organic C, the particulate, humus (or mineral associated) and resistant fractions, and the potential vulnerability of C to decomposition across Australia are distinct, scale-dependent and variable.

Chemical Nature Of Phosphorus In Cropping Soils From Western Australia Characterised By 31p Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Gustavo Boitt, Craig Scanlan, Zed Rengel

The State of Soil Science in WA

Speciation of soil phosphorus (P) is paramount to understanding the biogeochemical cycle in agroecosystems and key for an efficient P management. Most studies using solution-state 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for P speciation were done in soils from eastern Australia. Currently, in-depth knowledge of the P dynamics is limited for the western-Australian region. Only one study has been published using solution-state 31P NMR to characterise P compounds in topsoils (0–2.5 cm) from Western Australia under karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor F. Muell.) forests. Therefore, the objective of this research is to improve our knowledge and provide new information on the …

Crop Response To Amelioration Of Agricultural Soils Are Mediated By Constraint Combinations And Soil Type, Stephen Davies, Wayne Parker, Giacomo Betti, David Hall, Tom Edwards, Chad Reynolds, Glenn Macdonald

The State of Soil Science in WA

Over the past decade alternative strategic deep tillage approaches have been developed to complement more established soil amelioration methods. Strategic tillage takes the form of a one-off or occasional intervention, implemented to overcome a number of soil and biotic constraints.

Designing Soil Covers For Ecological Restoration Of Mine Waste, Lucy Commander, Luis Merino-Martin, Peter Golos, Carole Elliott, Jason Stevens, Ben Miller

The State of Soil Science in WA

Iron-ore mining is a major industry in Western Australia. The process of iron-ore extraction results in waste rock which may be backfilled into the pit void or discarded to form ‘waste rock dumps’ and fines, a by-product of crushing iron-ore. Resource companies have a legal and social responsibility to restore waste-rock dumps using local species. However, waste material may not be ideal for plant growth. Hence, as well as gaining an understanding of soil chemical and physical properties of waste materials, it is important to understand the plants interactions with the soil, especially in the early stages of restoration, such …

Efficacy Of A Phosphate Bio-Mineral Fertilizer Varied With P Concentration And P Solubility, Salmabi Assainar, Lynette Abbott, Paul Storer, Kadambot Siddique, Zakaria Solaiman

The State of Soil Science in WA

Bio-mineral fertilizers are gaining increasing attention in cropping systems. Phosphorus (P) use efficiency for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) from bio-mineral fertilizers is not well studied. We investigated the efficiency of a bio-mineral fertilizer (rock mineral fertilizer inoculated with a multispecies microbial inoculant and augmented with different phosphorus sources of varying concentration) under both glasshouse and field conditions.

Engineering In Situ Soil And Plant Microbiomes To Improve Agricultural Productivity, Falko Mathes, Fiona Mcdonald, Peter Keating

The State of Soil Science in WA

The world’s population is predicted to reach 9 billion people by 2050 thus increasing crop production on current agricultural land to meet the rising demand for food is paramount. Farmers routinely manage both plant and soil nutrition to increase crop yields. However, active management of in situ soil and plant microbiomes to improve productivity is uncommon. Here, we present a patented technology aiming to reliably engineer soil and plant microbiomes to increase crop production. Bioprime is a ferment of molasses that can be applied as seed coating, or as foliar and soil spray.

Humic Acid Coated Phosphatic Fertilizers Enhance Growth, Yield And Phosphorus Uptake Of Maize Crop In Alkaline Soil, Muhammed Shafi, Muhammed Sharif, Dost Muhammed, Ahmed Khan, Farmanullah Khan, Mehran Ali, Zakaria Solaiman

The State of Soil Science in WA

Phosphorus availability to crop is one of the major causes of poor crop production worldwide. Effect of inorganic phosphorus (P) fertiliser sources, i.e., nitro phosphate (NP), di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and single superphosphate (SSP) coated with different humic acid levels on crop production and P utilization efficiency (PUE) of maize was studied.