Soil Science Commons^™

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The North-Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia, H J. Pringle, S A. Gilligan, A M E Van Vreeswyk

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the north-eastern Goldfields, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1988 and 1990, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers about 100 …

How Sustainable Is Grazing Sheep On Annual Pastures In The Woolbelt?, Don Mcfarlane, Richard George

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

Low wool prices have reduced the profitability of producing wool from clover-based annual pastures in the south-western woo/belt. The heavy reliance on one commodity is economically unsustainable for many farmers. But we should also consider how ecologically sustainable the practice is.

Shallow-rooted annual pastures contribute to widespread salinity in the area, annual legumes are acidifying the soils and making them water repellent, and bare, detached soils from heavy grazing cause sheet and rill erosion during autumn storms. In addition, stock are degrading remnant vegetation and destroying the soil's structure.

To counteract this degradation, the woo/belt needs more perennial pastures and …

Red Mud : Cutting Pollution And Boosting Yields, Rob Summers

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

A by-product from the refining of bauxite ore in the South-West is proving a bonus for agriculture.

When spread over the land, not only is it improving soil quality, but it is helping to prevent leaching of phosphorus and the consequent massive algal blooms in the waterways.

Bauxite residue is also showing considerable promise in human and animal effluent disposal systems, composting urban refuse, sewage treatments and as a road base.

Western Australia is now in the forefront of this research which is attracting world-wide interest.

Bituminous Fly Ash Release Potential Modeling And Remediation Of Arsenic, Boron And Heavy Metals, V. P. Evangelou

KWRRI Research Reports

In Kentucky, approximately 3 million tons of coal fly ash are produced annually at a disposal cost around $20 per ton. Moreover, disposal is becoming a major issue because of the ash's potential to contaminate surface and groundwater with arsenic, boron, heavy metals, etc. Knowledge on the chemistry of fly ash is essential in developing a methodology that can predict release rate(s) and concentration(s) of chemical constituents of environmental concern (pollutants). Currently, there is major concern in the state how to dispose of safely the fly ash generated from the combustion of coal by electrical generating plants. Safe disposal of …

No-Tillage Sowing Decreases Water Erosion On Loamy Soils And Increases Earthworm Activity, Kevin Bligh

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

No-tillage sowing places seed and fertiliser in the soil without loosening all of the topsoil. Soil is cultivated only in the sown rows, leaving the inter-row areas largely undisturbed.

No-tillage sowing reduces both wind and water erosion. Soil structure is generally improved, and pasture regeneration is increased because seed is not buried too deeply for re-establishment.

Two long-term trials were establis_hed on loamy soils to determine effects of tillage and cropping on runoff and soil loss.

Using Saltland In Pakistan : An Australian Connection, Ed Barrett-Lennard, Riaz Qureshi

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

Pakistan and Australia have a common enemy in salt. In each country millions of hectares of previously productive land have been affected by salt (or have the potential to become saline) because of inappropriate agricultural development. Since 1989 the Western Australian Department of Agriculture has participated in a research project in Pakistan which involves revegetation of salt land using Australian shrubs. Early results are very promising.

Catchment Management Report Prepared For The Dalwallinu Pithara Land Conservation District, Jenny Borger

Agriculture reports

The Pithara-Dalwallinu Land Conservation District was initiated in 1985. Over the past seven years the committee has carried out various trials, demonstrations and field days. It was decided in 1989 to go along the road of whole catchment planning utilising the Geographic Information System (GIS). It now gives me great pleasure to see the information collected over the last two years, presented as a workable document. I hope now that many farmers within the LCD will be able to use this report to aid in planning and future development of their most valued asset The Land. The Catchment Report is …

Resource Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Ord River Regeneration Reserve, John De Salis

Natural resources published reports

It is now some 33 years since the Ord River Regeneration Project, the largest and most ambitious of its kind in Australian rangelands, commenced.

During this time there have been a number of publications and miscellaneous reports about the project, but this publication is by far the most comprehensive produced to date. Although the field work was undertaken in 1981, the findings recorded here will stand in a good stead as a detailed account and reference work for years to come.

Much has changed within the Regeneration Reserve area since the project commenced. Cattle and feral donkey numbers have finally …

Miscellaneous Publication 42/93 - Development And Dissemination Of Design Methods For Rangeland Paddocks Which Maximise Animal Production And Minimise Land Degradation, Shane Cridland, Mark Stafford Smith

Animal production and livestock published reports

Surveys of rangeland resources in Western Australia to date have shown that 23% of the area surveyed is in poor range condition. Poor condition is characterised by the loss of perennial vegetation allowing wind and water erosion. Approximately another 37% is in only fair range condition (Curry and Hacker 1990).

The loss of range condition is partly due to uneven use of paddocks by sheep and cattle. The areas close to water and the preferred pasture types are often over-utilised, while areas well away from water and less preferred pasture types are under-utilised. The result is that rangeland in good, …

Epa's Map Of Radon Zones, Nebraska, Sharon W. White, Lisa Ratcliff, Kirk Maconaughey, R. Thomas Peake, Dave Rowson, Steve Page, Linda C. S. Gundersen, R. Randall Schumann, James K. Otton, Doug Owen, Russell Dubiel, Kendell Dickinson, Sandra L. Szarzi

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Sections 307 and 309 of the 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA) direct EPA to identify areas of the United States that have the potential to produce elevated levels of radon. EPA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the Association of, American State Geologists (AASG) have worked closely over the past several years to produce a series of maps and documents which address these directives. The EPA Map of Radon Zones is a compilation of that work and fulfills the requirements of sections 307 and 309 of IRAA. The Map of Radon Zones identifies, on a county-by-county basis, areas of …

Nutrient Content Of Runoff Water From Rice Fields, C. E. Wilson Jr., P. A. Moore Jr., R. J. Norman, B. R. Wells

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

Current perception is that nutrient runoff from croplands is a significant contributor to poor water quality in some areas. While extensive research has been conducted to survey and ameliorate this problem for several upland crops, little work has been done to evaluate the problem with flooded rice (Oryza sativa, L.) soils. Since rice production utilizes a major portion of the total irrigation water usage for certain areas, it is important to understand the contribution of rice production to non-point source N and P in surface water. Several production fields were selected to evaluate the concentrations of nutrients in the floodwater …

The Influence Of Reservoir Basin Morphometry On Phytoplankton Community Structure, Richard L. Meyer, G. Keith Trost

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

The research protocol was designed to compare three reservoirs with similar physical environments but different morphometry. Three reservoirs on the western edge of the Ozark uplift were selected because of their similar substrate and climatic condition. The reservoirs primarily differed in morphometry. Two of the reservoirs were of identical size, Bob Kidd and Prairie Groves Lakes, but of different configuration, semicircular and linear, respectively. The bifurcated lake, Lincoln Lake, was of smaller size. Each lake is dimictic. Each of the lakes were nitrate-N limited while soluble reactive phosphorus-P is available and not restricting the growth of phytoplankton. Although the pattern …

Prediction And Management Of Sediments Load And Phosporus In The Beaver Reservoir Watershed Using A Geographic Information System, J. M. Mckimmey, H. D. Scott

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

A study was conducted to compile a GIS database for the Beaver Reservoir Watershed and then use the database to run the Universal Soil Loss Equation and the Phosphorus Index Model on the War Eagle Creek Watershed, a portion of the Beaver Reservoir Watershed database. Characterization of the spat i a 1 properties of the primary attributes compiled for the watershed were reported. In addition, water quality samples taken from War Eagle Creek were analyzed for relationships across the watershed. Erosion in the watershed was lower than expected with well vegetated and fertilized pastures contributing to the reduction of annual …

Effect Of Drying On Cyromazine Loss From Surface-Applied Caged-Layer Manure, T. C. Daniel, D. H. Pote, D. R. Edwards

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

In Arkansas, much of the environmental concern related to water quality has focused on the high volume of poultry fecal waste spread on the surf ace of local pastures to fertilize forage grass. Cyromazine (N-cyclopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6- triamine), a feed-through larvicide used to control house flies (Musca domestica), is often a component of caged-layer manure. Cyromazine is quite soluble and stable in water, and previous research has shown that it can be readily washed from pasture plots by intense rainfall. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate increased drying time as a best management practice technique for reducing cyromazine runoff losses from …

Computer Simulation Model Calibration And Validation For Prediction Of Water Quality Impacts Of Poultry Waste Disposal, D. R. Edwards, T. C. Daniel

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

Runoff and water quality data collected from two pairs of grazed fields in northwestern Arkansas were analyzed to support efforts to model runoff quality from areas receiving poultry manure and other fertilizer sources. The monitoring period described in this report was September 1, 1991 to April 30, 1993. One of each pair of fields was fertilized with inorganic fertilizer, and the other received either poultry litter or manure. Losses of fertilizer constituents were quite low from an agronomic standpoint, ranging from approximately 2-11 kg N/ha/year and 0.5-4.1 kg P04-P/ha/year. Annual losses of fertilizer constituents were dominated by only a small …

The Hydrology Of Shallow And Deep Aquifers In Relation To Secondary Soil Salinisation In Southwestern Australia, Richard J. George, Arthur J. Conacher

Natural Resources Research Articles

Results are reported from detailed research which has been carried out since 1984 on several Western Australian wheatbelt catchments, ranging in size from 12 ha to 1000 km2, in order to quantify the nature and roles of groundwater aquifers in relation to secondary salinisation. Secondary soil salinisation in the semi-arid wheatbelt has increased by 600% over the past 34 years to 440 000 ha, and is likely to increase by at least another 500% in the next 30-50 years. Changes in groundwater hydrology following the replacement of the native, woodland vegetation with agricultural crops and pastures during this century, have …

Salinity - An Albany Perspective, Mandy Curnow

Natural resources published reports

This booklet has been put together as an introduction to salinity in the Albany, Denmark, and Plantagenet districts. As much local information has been included as possible, so that the booklet will relate to your situation. The booklet looks at the causes of salinity and bow to recognise it. Included also, are methods of measuring salt in water and soil, both in the laboratory and the field. Methods of controlling salinity and reversing rising ground waters are not covered as there are already so many publications dealing with this topic.

Most agricultural areas experience some Ievel of salinity. Controlling salinity, …

The Origin And Evolution Of The Southern Snake Range Decollement, East Central Nevada, Allen J. Mcgrew

Department of Earth, Environment and Sustainability Faculty Publications

Regional and local stratigraphic, metamorphic, and structural constraints permit reconstruction of the southern Snake Range extensional deformational system in east central Nevada. The dominant structure of the range, the southern Snake Range décollement (SSRD), operated during Oligocene and Miocene extensional deformation to exhume a footwall of multiply deformed metasedimentary and plutonic rocks. Intrusion of three plutons (∼160 Ma, 79.1 ± 0.5 Ma, and 36 ± 1 Ma, respectively) and development of two cleavages preceded the onset of extensional deformation. Plastic deformation of lower plate metasedimentary rocks accompanied the early phases of regional extension and produced bedding-parallel grain shape foliations and …

Conservation For Production : Kings Rocks Catchment Report, William Oldfield

Agriculture reports

The aim of this report is to bring together current information on the land and ideas which will provide landholders of the King Rocks catchment group with a basis to make more informed decisions about managing the land. The report contains information on how the landscape was formed, how areas become degraded, what are the present recommended ways of fixing land degradation and what are the most productive means of farming the land.

Improving Sustainable Production From Water Repellent Sands, Paul Blackwell

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

The agricultural management of water repellent ( non-wetting) sands is difficult, and production from them is mostly low. However, there are ways to make them more productive.

Furrow sowing and the incorporation of dispersive clay are two likely methods to make these soils easier to manage, more productive and more profitable than they are now.

This article discusses several aspects of our research on water repellent sands. In addition, some of the costs and benefits of alternative management strategies are outlined.

Final Oil And Gas Leasing Environmental Impact Statement [Microform] : Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre And Gunnison National Forests V1, United States Forest Service

Environmental Assessments (NV)

No abstract provided.

Final Oil And Gas Leasing Environmental Impact Statement [Microform] : Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre And Gunnison National Forests V2, United States Forest Service

Environmental Assessments (NV)

No abstract provided.

Controlling Wind Erosion In Field Pea Stubbles, Jeff Russell

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

The area sown to field peas in Western Australia's eastern wheatbelt has increased from 4000 ha in 1985 to about 35, 000 ha in 1992.

While field peas can be grown on soil types not suited to lupins, their stubble is highly fragile and prone to wind erosion, even at low grazing pressure. This is one reason why some farmers are hesitant to grow field peas.

Haroest losses of field peas can also be high; levels of JOO to 200 kg/ha of seed on the ground are not uncommon. For this reason farmers believe the stubbles should be grazed.

Farmers …

Bulletin 4274 - Tree Planting On The High Rainfall Coastal Plain, Don Bennett, Richard George

Bulletins 4000 -

Careful planning can mean the difference between the success or failure of a tree planting program . Healthy , well-e stablished trees stand a better chance of survival, grow faster and are more resistant to insect attack. The need for time-consuming watering in summer is also eliminated.

The high rainfall coastal plain extends from Perth to Busselton and inland to the Darling Scarp. It receives about 800 to 1000 mm annual rainfall.

Site preparation is ideally started in summer. For a winter planting, decide before March where to plant, which varieties and how many trees to plant. Early planning allows …

Soils Of The Northam Advisory District. Volume 3. The Darling Range And West Kokeby Zones, Ian Fulton, Neil Clifton Lantzke

Bulletins 4000 -

This manual describes the soils of the Department of Agriculture's Northam advisory district. Information is provided on the characteristics of each soil, its capability is discussed and yield estimates for the major land uses are given.

Designed for use by farmers and Department of Agriculture staff, the manual’s primary aims are to:

- Assist with the identification of the advisory district’s soils types

- Match land use with soil quality

- Improve farm productivity and efficiency

- Reduce the incidence of land degradation

Landman Development And Evaluation In The Wallatin Creek Catchment - Final Report, Alan Hawkins

Natural resources published reports

The aim of the project was to evaluate and further develop the Landman farm planning procedure. The Wallatin creek catchment in the Kellerberrin shire of Western Australia was selected. This catchment is typical of a large area of the wheatbelt of Western Australia.

The landman farm planning procedure has a goal of sustainable farming. The outcome of the procedure is farm layout and farm management plans. The procedure however has components of personal development, technology transfer and development of problem solving skills at both individual and group levels. The process steps are; definition of objectives, collection of information, problem or …

Arkansas Agricultural Chemical Ground-Water Management Plan, Gerald King, Darryl Little, Tim Jessup, Charles Armstrong

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

The Arkansas Agricultural Chemical Ground-Water Management Plan (SMP) is based on the Draft State Pesticide Ground- Water Management Plan Guidance and The Pesticides and Ground-Water Protection Strategy prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The need for a plan to protect ground water from contamination by agricultural chemicals and agents arises from evidence nationwide that using these chemicals can, in some instances, lead to contamination. In February 1988, EPA proposed a strategy to regulate certain pesticides by prohibiting their use in areas vulnerable to leaching unless a state develops and implements an acceptable management plan. The advantage of a …

Arkansas Agricultural Chemical Ground-Water Management Plan - Appendices, Gerald King, Darryl Little, Tim Jessup, Charles Armstrong

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

The Arkansas Agricultural Chemical Ground-Water Management Plan (SMP) is based on the Draft State Pesticide Ground- Water Management Plan Guidance and The Pesticides and Ground-Water Protection Strategy prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The need for a plan to protect ground water from contamination by agricultural chemicals and agents arises from evidence nationwide that using these chemicals can, in some instances, lead to contamination. In February 1988, EPA proposed a strategy to regulate certain pesticides by prohibiting their use in areas vulnerable to leaching unless a state develops and implements an acceptable management plan. The advantage of a …

Gis Characterization Of Beaver Watershed, H. D. Scott, J. M. Mckimmey

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

Beaver Reservoir watershed is located in Northwest Arkansas including portions of Madison, Washington, Benton, Carroll, Franklin and Crawford counties. This watershed is important to the Northwest Arkansas region because it supplies most of the drinking water for the major towns and cities, and several rural water systems. The watershed consists of 308,971 ha with elevations ranging from approximately 341 m to 731 m above mean sea level. It includes the Springfield Plateau and the Boston Mountains provinces within the Ozark Plateau physiographic region. There are approximately 581 km of streams, 532 km of shore line, and 3712 km of roads …

Evaluation Of The Water Quality Impacts Of Land Application Of Poultry Litter, T. C. Daniels, D. R. Edwards

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

Evaluating the effect of land application of animal waste on water quality is fraught with inherent variability due to differing infiltration rates, slope, rainfall intensity and etc . Simulated rainfall technology has been used in erosion research for decades. Generally, this technology is used on plots of sufficient size (25 x 5 m) to develop rill and interrill erosion. The object of this investigation was to adapt and modify existing rainfall simulation technology used in soil erosion research for use in evaluating water quality impacts of land application of animal waste, and to test, evaluate and demonstrate it's scientific validity. …