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RIRDC Completed Projects in 2006-2007 & Research in Progress as at June 2007
To Agroforestry and Farm Forestry Research in Progress
3.1 Agroforestry and Farm Forestry – Completed Projects Project No Project Title Researcher Phone Organisation 1. Improve information delivery and increase decision-making capacity of all agroforestry stakeholders
GAL-4A Communicating the results of species trials in new farm forestry areas (Stages I, II and III) David Carr 02 6281 8585 Greening Australia Ltd PFT-1A Farm forestry toolbox – regional benefits through research and technology transfer Andy Warner 03 6434 6319 Private Forests Tasmania 2. Develop products and markets including environmental services, and new agroforestry systems to meet regional NRM objectives
CGA-2A Realising the revenue potential of environmental plantings under the NSW's carbon market revenue Annette Cowie 02 9872 0138 NSW Department of Primary Industries CSC-4A Evaluation of 1,8-cineole bioderivatives for pharmaceutical and chemical applications III Prof Michael Zachariou 03 9545 2321 CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies CSF-61A Natural durability of Eucalyptus trees from farm forestry and low rainfall areas K.J McCarthy 03 9545 2336 Ensis STM-1A Viability of single-desk marketing of farm forestry timber Gib Wettenhall 03 5334 4643 SMARTimbers Cooperative Ltd USQ-3A Further development and field testing of the efficient lightweight biomass chipper Richard Sulman 07 4639 6689 Biosystems Engineering 3. Develop agroforestry designs that optimize social, economic and environmental factors at the paddock, farm and regional-landscape scale
CSL-22A Electrical root mapping Dr Tim Ellis 02 6246 5743 CSIRO Land and Water GAL-6A Field trials to test the effect of timing and climate variability on the effectiveness of direct seeding David Carr 02 6281 8585 Greening Australia Ltd MLA-1A Assessing the value of trees in sustainable grazing systems (NBP.316) Chris Chilcott 07 3896 9648 Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water USC-8A (NHT) Improving timber and habitat management of private native forests in north-east NSW Prof Jerry Vanclay 02 6620 3147 Southern Cross University 4. Facilitate new policy and institutional arrangements that stimulate agroforestry investment
LWR-6A Rural industries and carbon trading: opportunities, barriers and risk management (RDC collaborative project) New Forests Pty Ltd 02 6263 6088 (Laura Harris, LWA) Land & Water Australia
Completed Projects – 1. Improve information delivery and increase decision-making capacity of all agroforestry stakeholders
Project Title: Communicating the results of species trials in new farm forestry areas (Stages I, II and III) RIRDC Project No.: GAL-4A Researcher: David Carr Organisation: Greening Australia Ltd Phone: 02 6281 8585 Fax: 02 6281 8590 Email: dcarr@greeningaustralia.org.au Objectives To increase the uptake of commercial revegetation in low rainfall, monsoonal and cold-temperate climatic zones throughout Australia by providing information to support the selection of appropriate species for multiple benefit farm forestry. Background Regions of Australia where plantation forestry has not been extensively carried out lack information on appropriate species to guide plantation establishment for economic and environmental outcomes. These regions include cold, dry and tropical climates and areas with sub-optimal environments. There is a growing need for perennial vegetation in many of these landscapes to address land degradation issues such as salinity, water quality, erosion and biodiversity loss. Farm forestry can address these issues and reduce the cost associated with them by providing a revenue source. The lack of good species information is an impediment to plantation establishment in these regions. This project aims to provide better species information and therefore reduce the risk associated with farm forestry in new forestry areas. Research An existing suite of 80 farm forestry species trials at 70 sites throughout Australia will be measured and the results communicated to farm foresters and other researchers. These trials, ranging in age from 3 to 10 years, are located in "new" farm forestry areas where increased revegetation is critical for amelioration of land degradation, particularly salinity. This suite of trials is an established resource ready to provide answers about species selection, species characteristics and growth rates. The trials feature over 120 species with a primary emphasis on key farm forestry species and a secondary emphasis on local indigenous species able to provide both commercial and biodiversity/ land degradation benefits. Outcomes There were many trials covered by this project and the detail of the results can be found in the 3 final reports. However, some generalisations can be made. In the Northern Territory, Khaya senegalensis and Sweitenia macrophylla showed enormous potential in many trials. In low rainfall areas across southern Australia, Eucalyptus cladocalyx, E tricarpa, E occidentalis and E. camaldulensis performed well. In northern NSW E. nitens and E. saligna were best in high rainfall areas while E sideroxylon, E. microcarpa and E. camaldulensis were best in medium rainfall areas. Across all sites, the trials demonstrated the importance of matching appropriate species to sites, and showed that good weed control is critical to the success of plantations, particularly in low rainfall environments. The trials also demonstrated that valuable information can be produced from research conducted by landholders in partnership with Greening Australia. Implications The trials show that there is a small set of species suitable for purely commercial application in these environments, but there is a broader range of species that can be used where economics is not the only motivation for planting. Many local species also have economic values and thus can contribute to enhancing regional biodiversity and farm incomes through their planting.
Publications Three final reports were produced: Carr, D. (2007a) Greening Australia species trials in the Northern Territory. Report to Joint Venture Agroforestry Program, RIRDC
Carr, D. (2007b) Greening Australia species trials: north-west slopes and plains, Dorrigo plateau and northern Tablelands, New South Wales. Report to Joint Venture Agroforestry Program, RIRDC
Carr, D. (2007c) Low rainfall species trials. Report to Joint Venture Agroforestry Program, RIRDC
Completed Projects – 1. Improve information delivery and increase decision-making capacity of all agroforestry stakeholders
Project Title: Farm forestry toolbox – regional benefits through research and technology transfer RIRDC Project No.: PFT-1A Researcher: Andy Warner Organisation: Private Forests Tasmania
PO Box 68
BURNIE Tas 7320Phone: 03 6434 6319 Fax: 03 6434 6200 Email: Andy.Warner@privateforests.tas.gov.au Objectives To develop user friendly decision making tools by incorporating regional equations and growth models in the Farm Forestry Toolbox involving Private Forestry Development Committees (PFDCs) to provide successful technology transfer and uptake via regional training. Background Many farm foresters have very limited access to taper and growth models for the wide range of possible eucalypt and conifer species that form the major source of commercial wood products in Australia. Such models are important in evaluating the regional options involving species, regime and products, as well as providing analysis of site specific tree measurement data to aid in silvicultural management. Many models require integration into a decision support system to be of practical and widespread use. Research Additional taper and growth models were obtained through detailed negotiation with both public and private forest management organisations and integrated with other Toolbox package enhancements to provide additional survey and drawing, tree volume estimation and product value predictions with the necessary associated financial analysis. Outcomes Based on the feedback and input from 14 training sessions co-ordinated by the Private Forestry Development Committees around Australia, Toolbox 5 should help empower private growers and their advisors through improved access to previously unavailable models coupled with user-friendly tools to integrate planted area, product volume and financial aspects of tree growing. Implications This project has shown that a regional based approach to enhancing the available tools to empower farm foresters and their advisors can be effective and gain broad scale support through enhanced regional use and uptake. Publications 5 000 copies of the Farm Forestry Toolbox 5 compact disk will be produced and distributed free of charge via the regional network of Private Forestry Development Committees. The disk also includes extensive help tools, a manual and a workbook of practical examples as well as good linkages for data input and output to Excel spreadsheets. Warner, A. (in press) Farm Forestry Toolbox version 5.0 – Helping Australian growers to manage their trees. RIRDC Publication No. 07/135 Completed Projects – 2. Develop products and markets including environmental services, and new agroforestry systems to meet regional NRM objectives
Project Title: Realising the revenue potential of environmental plantings under the NSW's carbon market revenue RIRDC Project No.: CGA-2A Researcher: Annette Cowie, Alastair Grieve and Sam Wood Organisation: NSW Department of Primary Industries, Forests Resources Research Centre
Oratava Avenue
West Pennant Hills NSW 2125Phone: 02 9872 0138 Fax: 02 9871 6941 Email: Annettec@sf.nsw.gov.au Objectives This project aims to establish the feasibility of including environmental plantings in the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme (GGAS) carbon market; ·1 to identify issues associated with inclusion of these plantings within the GGAS carbon market such as: carbon pool and risk management; the suitability of low transaction cost carbon accounting systems; ways of minimising the costs of compliance requirements through linking accreditation with other property level planning instruments (e.g. property management plans); and other administrative aspects such as record-keeping and reporting requirements; and ·2 to develop the basis for a pilot project involving one or more Catchment Management Authorities (CMA) to become accredited as a carbon pool manager under the GGAS as a means of generating additional revenue to support beneficial natural resource management activities.
Background Natural resource management often involves revegetation using native plantings of trees and shrubs. If additional income can be attracted for the carbon sequestration that these plantings create, this would allow greater areas to be established. GGAS offers the prospect of obtaining this income for CMAs providing they can become accredited as pool managers. Research The feasibility of a CMA becoming accredited under GGAS was assessed by careful investigation of GGAS requirements, by evaluating the business systems of the CMA for their suitability and by comparing two possible methods for carbon accounting for use with environmental plantings Outcomes It was found that with relatively minor modifications, the business systems used by CMAs could meet the requirements for accreditation under GGAS. Both carbon accounting methods assessed, the National Carbon Accounting Toolbox and the Carbon Sequestration Predictor provided generally unbiased estimates of carbon stocks, however neither was precise, and therefore their use would result in very conservative calculation of eligible sequestration for which abatement certificates can be created. Additional data on growth and carbon sequestration of environmental plantings would improve the precision of these methods. Implications The project showed that one or more CMAs could become accredited under GGAS and subsequently both they and landholders could expect to derive additional income from the sale of abatement certificates. A pilot study should be carried out to apply for accreditation and improve the accuracy of carbon estimates for environmental plantings. Publications Grieve, A.., Wood, S. and Cowie, A. (2007) Carbon trading and catchment management authorities: realising the revenue potential of environmental plantings under the New South Wales carbon market. Report to Joint Venture Agroforestry Program, RIRDC Completed Projects – 2. Develop products and markets including environmental services, and new agroforestry systems to meet regional NRM objectives
Project Title: Evaluation of 1,8-cineole bioderivatives for pharmaceutical and chemical applications III RIRDC Project No.: CSC-4A Researcher: Prof Michael Zachariou Organisation: CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies Phone: 03 9545 2321 Fax: 03 9545 2446 Email: Michael.Zachariou@csiro.au Objectives This project will extend the two previous cineole projects (CSC-1A and CSC-3A) and follow up on the positive hits observed in project CSC-3A with some of the cineole based derivatives against herbicidal, fungicidal and antibacterial activity screens. The specific objectives for this proposal are to: 1. Carry out an extensive patent search on the synthesized cineole derivatives that were found to be hits in project CSC-3A as well as the microbes involved in the synthesis of the hydroxylated derivatives. 2. Confirm positive hits with alternative assays for herbicidal, fungicidal and antibacterial activities.
Background Dry land salinity is a major problem in parts of Australia; Eucalyptus trees are being planted on a large scale to address this issue. This provides an opportunity for Australia to discover and improve on eucalypt oil applications thus addressing the forecast abundance of eucalyptus oil on the market and providing incentive for farmers to plant trees in areas affected by dry land salinity. Research A series of compounds derived from 1,8-cineole have previously been tested in a variety of biological activity assays, with a large proportion showing potential as herbicides or antimicrobials (JVAP project CSC-3A). The novelty of these compounds was clarified by a comprehensive literature review. Compounds that were both novel and showed activity in the initial screens where synthesised in sufficient quantities to allow further analysis. The chosen compounds were subjected to additional herbicide and antimicrobial assays to determine their potency as well as their specificity. Outcomes The comprehensive literature review identified compounds with novelty and therefore represented the best opportunities for filing of provisional patents. Seven compounds have been identified that have both scope for intellectual property claims as well as activity greater than 1,8-cineole itself in herbicide or antimicrobial activity assays. Implications This project has identified derivatives of 1,8-cineole that warrant further investigation as leads for new industrial uses of 1,8-cineole. If commercially viable, these compounds will provide incentive to continue to plant Eucalyptus trees improving the environment as well as creating new industries from this Australian product. Publications None – the detailed project results are commercial in confidence. Completed Projects – 2. Develop products and markets including environmental services, and new agroforestry systems to meet regional NRM objectives
Project Title: Natural durability of Eucalyptus trees from farm forestry and low rainfall areas RIRDC Project No.: CSF-61A Researcher: K.J McCarthy and Dr Laurie Cookson Organisation: Ensis
Private Bag 10
CLAYTON SOUTH VIC 3169Phone: 03 9545 2336 Fax: 03 9545 2448 Email: Kevin.McCarthy@ensisjv.com Objectives 1. To determine the natural durability of the five priority timber species being grown in low rainfall areas of southern Australia. The outcome will be to enhance the economic and environmental benefits of commercial farm forestry by expanding the market value of the wood product, and reducing our reliance on chemical preservative treatments which are developing environmental concerns.2. To determine the influence of tree age and wood density so these factors can be used to predict the natural durability of timber of future plantations.
Background Farm plantations of sugar gum, spotted gum, red ironbark, yellow gum and swamp yate have been established in low rainfall areas. Knowledge about the natural durability of these plantation timbers will expand and improve the value of their products. There are well-established markets for naturally durable timbers as they can be used with greater confidence in exposed or termite prone areas. Naturally durable timbers can also be exported to a number of countries, in particular where there are restrictions on the use of preservative-treated wood. Within Australia, there is increased market opportunity in the H2 (indoor), H3 (outdoor, above-ground) and H4 (outdoor, in-ground) exposure conditions where protection from decay and/or termites is required. Research Three age groups (<25 years, 30-50 years and 80+ years) of low rainfall timber species, yellow gum, sugar gum, spotted gum, red ironbark, swamp yate and brown mallet, were tested against various biodeteriogens for natural durability. Samples were from regrowth or plantations. These timbers were compared with yardstick species from the four main durability classes. Termite resistance was assessed using the ‘drum technique’ against Mastotermes darwiniensis and Coptotermes acinaciformis in the Northern Territory. The in-ground decay durability was determined using the Ensis ‘Accelerated Field Simulator’ at Clayton and a flat panel test at Innisfail, far North Queensland was used to assess the above-ground durability. Outcomes The results from this research show that the low rainfall and farm forestry species tested in this project generally have high natural durability. The heartwood of 30-50 years or older trees of red ironbark, spotted gum, sugar gum, yellow gum and brown mallet all proved to be termite resistant (against C. acinaciformis). Similarly, this age of timbers gave at least natural durability class 3 performances against decay, both above ground and in-ground. Most likely, if the decay trials continued, they would prove to have class 1 or 2 naturally durabilities.
More variable results were obtained with <25 years old trees, with density providing a useful guide as to likely performance relative to mature timber. The most durable were the <25 year old sugar gum and red ironbark panels which performed similarly to the 30-50 and 80 year old samples after three years. These two species are durability class 1 for native forest timbers, and therefore the plantation results are very promising.
Implications Naturally durable timbers can often be used in a wide variety of applications, including decking, pergolas, fascia, garden furniture, landscaping timbers, window joinery, external doors and jambs. The use of these naturally durable species will reduce the need for preservative treatment, a process that can add 40% to the price of commodities and meet customer resistance (whether justified or not) due to fears about chemicals and perceived environmental problems. At the end of its service life, naturally durable timber is easier to dispose of than treated timber as it can be burnt or left to biodegrade. Naturally durable timber would find easy market penetration into existing sales outlets. Publications McCarthy, K.J., Cookson L.J. and Scown, D.K. (2004). Natural durability of eucalypt trees from farm forestry and low rainfall areas. Collection of trees, installation of field trials and density evaluation. CSIRO, Client Report No. 1405, 16 pp. McCarthy, K.J., Cookson L.J. and Scown, D.K. (2006). Natural durability of eucalypt trees from farm forestry and low rainfall areas. Termite field trials to determine above-ground natural durability. Ensis, Client Report No. 1638, 21 pp.
McCarthy, K.J., and Cookson L.J. (2006). Natural durability of eucalypt trees from farm forestry and low rainfall areas. Flat panel test to determine above-ground natural durability. Ensis, Client Report No. 1718, 16 pp.
McCarthy, K.J., and Cookson L.J. (2006). Natural durability of eucalypt trees from farm forestry and low rainfall areas. AFS test to determine in-ground natural durability. Ensis, Client Report No. 1730, 14 pp.
McCarthy, K., Cookson, L. and Scown, D. (2007) Natural durability of six eucalypt species from farm forestry and low rainfall areas. A report for the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program, RIRDC.
McCarthy, K. and Cookson, L. (in press) Natural durability of six eucalypt species suitable for low rainfall areas: sugar gum, spotted gum, red ironbark, yellow gum, swamp yate and brown mallet. RIRDC Publication No. 06/089. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.
Completed Projects – 2. Develop products and markets including environmental services, and new agroforestry systems to meet regional NRM objectives
Project Title: Viability of single-desk marketing of farm forestry timber RIRDC Project No.: STM-1A Researcher: Gib Wettenhall Organisation: SMARTimbers Cooperative Ltd Phone: 03 5334 4643 Fax: 03 5337 2911 Email: gib@netconnect.com.au Objectives This project proposed to use market research to survey architects regarding their interest in using sugar gum, their responsiveness to the SMARTimbers cooperative marketing model, and their preferred methods of receiving marketing information. The project also tested a new web-based single desk marketing tool, via the SMARTimbers website. The results from this project will benefit other groups considering cooperative harvesting and marketing of a regional farm forestry resource. Background The traditional route of farm foresters individually selling logs at harvest for commodity products and a low return stumpage from local sawmills has patently failed to deliver real economic returns, and threatens to undermine the spread of farm forestry nationally. This project proposed to use market research to test and adapt an innovative alternative group model developed by the SMARTimbers Co-operative Ltd. This model is premised on delivering higher returns to farm foresters via marketing landholder-owned speciality timbers common to a region, using an integrated supply chain and single desk marketing structure that focuses primarily on producing sustainably sourced, high value products for 'top end' market segments. SMARTimbers selected architects as the avenue for accessing high value markets for local farm forest specialty timbers. Research Quantitative and qualitative market surveys were undertaken from a sample of over 400 architectural firms sent a SMARTimbers marketing kit. Survey techniques were by phone; followed by more in-depth face-to-face interviews; and a focus workshop with key client firms. A second strand of research involved creating, for the first time, a professionally produced website for a farm forestry trader (i.e. SMARTimbers), then testing over a year the effectiveness of this new technology in extending farm forestry’s marketing reach. Outcomes First, market research has confirmed that small (up to 5 employees) and medium scale architectural firms (5-20 employees) provide a good fit for marketing approaches from farm forestry groups. These firms and their clients have a high degree of interest and empathy in sourcing traceable, local, farm forest products and unique, different specialty timbers. Where an integrated supply chain was in place, firms surveyed regarded formal certification through either the Forest Stewardship Council or the Australian Forestry Standard as unnecessarily onerous for small scale farm forestry groups to implement. Second, the research confirmed that a professionally produced website extends market reach, with two-thirds of architects surveyed citing the internet as a primary source for product information. Firms are looking for product samples, technical information backing up a farm forestry group’s claimed product applications for its specialty timbers, as well as case studies, including pictorial evidence, of a group’s products in situ. Providing these as part of a well-designed, ring binder marketing kit provides an ongoing, readily available reference that is highly valued by architectural firms.
Implications Architects claimed that their clients were mostly interested in ‘the look’ of a product rather than its sustainability. For builders, price was the major criterion on which they based their purchasing decisions. The report recommends designing educational material suitable for architectural and building courses that highlights the sustainable benefits of specifying Australian timber products, as well as launching a mass marketing campaign. Other major impediments for farm forestry groups are the desires of firms to deal with long established suppliers with whom they have a personal relationship, allied with concerns about consistency of product supply. This would indicate that farm forestry groups within five years of harvest need to begin immediately to build personal relationships. Architect firms preferred form of contact with suppliers was via face-to-face meetings. Publications Wettenhall, G. (2007) Viability of single desk marketing of farm forestry timber. Report for Joint Venture Agroforestry Program, RIRDC Completed Projects – 2. Develop products and markets including environmental services, and new agroforestry systems to meet regional NRM objectives
Project Title: Further development and field testing of the efficient lightweight biomass chipper RIRDC Project No.: USQ-3A Researcher: Richard Sulman, Biosystems Engineering
Rick Giles, Dept of Environment & Conservation WA.Organisation: Biosystems Engineering 9 Cristina Court
Highfields QLD 4352
Phone: 07 4639 6689 Fax: 07 4339 6647 Email: richard@sulman.com.au; rick.giles@bigpond.com Objectives This project will use the experimental chipper apparatus developed in Project USQ-2A to explore some identified opportunities for further reducing chipping energy and quantifying chip quality. A parallel field phase involving the existing prototype mallee harvester will field test the new chipper. Background Chipping is a fundamental step in a biomass supply chain for short cycle tree crops. Chipping is an energy intensive process and minimising the power required to drive a harvester’s chipper is important in the development of a new harvesting system. Using an experimental chipper, Project USQ-2A examined the influence of various chipper blade configurations upon chipping energy. This project continued that investigation, and applied the results to a new field chipper. In particular, it examined the effects of blade tilt, edge angle and wood shape upon chipper performance, and considered the compromise between chipping energy and chip quality using the experimental chipper developed in Project USQ-2A. The project also field tested the results from the experimental work – by development of a new field-scale chipper mounted in a prototype mallee harvester and comparing the performance of the new chipper with the original harvester chipper.
Research Phase(a) of the project investigated the effect of blade tilt angle and blade edge angle upon chip quality and specific energy (the energy required to chip a kilogram of wood). In Phase(b), the experimental results were employed to design a new chipper for a prototype mallee harvester. The harvester’s hydraulic system was upgraded, and the original conventional chipper was tested to benchmark its performance in terms of specific energy and chip quality. The new chipper was then tested to compare its performance with these benchmarks. Outcomes The experimental work determined that specific energy was not influenced by wood density, the tilt angle of the blades or the blade edge angle, but that it is substantially affected by friction between the blade and the wood being chipped. Friction between the incoming wood and the drum skin was therefore identified as a potentially significant issue for field chipping. Blade tilt had only a modest effect upon chip quality. Because of its detailed design, the new field chipper reduced the specific energy of chipping by approximately 45% of the value measured during the benchmark tests of the original chipper. Specific energy was found to be independent of tree mass and mass flow rate. The new chipper produced more small and more large chips than the original chipper, which could represent a loss of chip quality for some markets. Improved control of the feeding of material would help to reduce the range of chip sizes produced by the new chipper. The project has shown that it is possible to design a chipper with a substantially lower specific energy and a significantly higher mass flow rate than a conventional chipper, but at the cost of a lower chip quality (as it is conventionally defined).
Implications The potential performance of the prototype mallee harvester, in terms of its specific energy and mass flow rate, has been greatly improved by the installation of the new chipper. The harvester is now limited by its capacity to feed mallees to the chipper, whereas previously the chipper itself was a significant choke point in the flow of material through the harvester. The reduced specific energy requirement of the new chipper and its high mass flow rate indicate that it is realistic to envisage and develop a mobile and manoeuvrable self-propelled chipper harvester capable of processing 75 green tonnes of biomass per hour. Publications None – the detailed project results are commercially confidential. Completed Projects – 3. Develop agroforestry designs that optimize social, economic and environmental factors at the paddock, farm and regional-landscape scale
Project Title: Electrical root mapping RIRDC Project No.: CSL-22A Researcher: Tim Ellis Organisation: CSIRO Land and Water
PO Box 1666
Canberra ACT 2601Phone: 02 6246 5743 Fax: 02 6246 5800 Email: tim.ellis@csiro.au Objectives To establish the relationships between electric field intensity, root position and root length density, using high frequency electrical measurements Background An earlier RIRDC project, CSL-18A, showed for the first time that low frequency capacitance was likely to be valid for trees but was not corroborated at the time with destructive sampling. The same preliminary project also showed that tree roots were capable of transmitting high frequency signals and that these signals could be used to locate roots. This has various applications in researching roots in agricultural systems. This project aimed to:
· evaluate low frequency (k Hz range) capacitance measurements for the determination of tree root mass and root length · determine the potential for the use of high frequency (M Hz) electricity for locating plant roots in soil
Research Low Frequency: Eleven plantation eucalypts were destructively sampled for root biomass following the measurement of root capacitance. High Frequency: Laboratory experiments were undertaken to measure the attenuation (loss) of signal as it passed through roots embedded in sand. The dielectric properties of roots and soil were measured to allow interpretation of these results in context with antenna theory.
Outcomes This project corroborates the earlier low frequency work on trees and show that, while roots can transmit high frequency signals, attenuation is very high and signals are unlikely to be transmitted more than a few metres in large (10 to 20 mm diameter) roots. It is unlikely that fine roots (<2 mm diameter) will transmit useful signals. Implications Low frequency capacitance measurement appears to be a valid technique for plantation eucalypts and should be routinely considered wherever tree root investigations are undertaken. However, the possible effects of tree age, and therefore the proportion of fine roots (<2 mm) should be considered as it may significantly affect results. Publications Feher, K. Murray, W. and T. W. Ellis (2005) Sensing and modelling electric fields associated with high frequency excitation of plant roots. April 2005, Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists. Feher, K., Ellis T. W. and W. Murray (2005) Sensing and modelling electric fields associated with high frequency excitation of plant roots. In: Proceedings of the Australian Institute of Physics 16th Biennial Congress, 31 Jan- 4 Feb, 2005, Australian National University, Canberra.
Ellis, T., Feher, K., Murray, W., Paul, K., Brophy, J., Jacobsen, K., Koul, V., Leppert, P. and Smith, J. (2007) Electrical mapping to measure root mass and root location. Report to RIRDC, Canberra.
Completed Projects – 3. Develop agroforestry designs that optimize social, economic and environmental factors at the paddock, farm and regional-landscape scale
Project Title: Field trials to test the effect of timing and climate variability on the effectiveness of direct seeding RIRDC Project No.: GAL-6A Researcher: David Carr Organisation: Greening Australia Ltd Phone: 02 6281 8585 Fax: 02 6281 8590 Email: dcarr@greeningaustralia.org.au Objectives The objective is to determine and demonstrate the optimal time for direct seeding in each region, the impact of different seasons on germination and survival, and the effect of climate variability. The project will relate seasonal differences in rainfall and soil moisture to actual germination and survival success. Modelling will be carried out to determine the optimum window for direct seeding in each region, based on long-term climate probabilities. Background Under the Australian Government’s National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and the Natural Heritage Trust, regional organisations have set ambitious targets to revegetate large areas of land to improve natural resource management. The cost of meeting these targets through tubestock planting alone is prohibitive. If these targets are to be achieved, some commercial return from the plantings will be necessary. Therefore direct seeding of commercial species in a wide range of environments will be necessary to reduce costs and increase returns from revegetation. In 2003-04 a review was carried out to determine whether there were any advances that could be made to the technique of direct seeding, to increase its reliability to the point where it could be used in commercial revegetation, such as oil mallee plantations. One of the recommendations from this review was to conduct a small research project to confirm the effects of sowing at different times of the year. If we are to use less seed in direct seeding, we need to ensure that seed is sown when it has the highest chance of germinating, in order to avoid losses from predation, desiccation and disease. Research This project established replicated direct seeded plots at two sites in temperate Australia (Palmer, SA and Pyramid Hill, Vic) at four times over 12 months. The sites were monitored for soil moisture, germination success and species mix, germinant survival and growth. The trials also looked at the effect of the inoculant Bradyrhizobium over the four sowing times. Outcomes Although limited in scope, the trials found that there were differences in germination and survival among the four different sowing times. As expected, the summer sowing had the poorest survival, autumn and spring sowings gave the best survival at both sites, with winter sowings also giving good results at Palmer. This confirms current practice in these areas. Significantly, there were differences in survival for individual species across the four sowing times. For example, at Pyramid Hill, Acacia pycnantha and A. acinacea were strongly favoured by sowing in autumn while Eucalyptus microcarpa was strongly favoured by an early spring sowing.
There were some significant differences in survival of the Acacia species between those inoculated with Bradyrhizobium and those not, but only at the Pyramid Hill site. There was better survival in inoculated acacias, but only for the autumn and winter sowings.
Implications The implications of these results for direct seeding practitioners are that despite the best efforts, the whole suite of species sown at a particular site in a particular season are unlikely to germinate and survive. Until we can more precisely predict the range of environmental conditions that favour germination and early survival for all of our common species, practitioners must rely on observations they make in the field. This presents a strong case for regular monitoring of sites for several years after sowing. Simple methods such as counting the number of germinants over a sample length of seeding line for each species will give an indication of success. These records can then be compared with site specific weather records to give an indication of how the conditions affected the germination and survival of individual species used on the site. Practitioners will then be able to build up a picture over time of which species are favoured by certain conditions.
Publications Carr, D. (in press) The effect of sowing season on the reliability of direct seeding. RIRDC Publication No. 07/105, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. Completed Projects – 3. Develop agroforestry designs that optimize social, economic and environmental factors at the paddock, farm and regional-landscape scale
Project Title: Assessing the value of trees in sustainable grazing systems (NBP.316) RIRDC Project No.: MLA-1A Researcher: Chris Chilcott and Greg McKeon Organisation: Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water Phone: 07 3896 9648 Fax: 07 3896 9843 Email: Greg.McKeon@climatechange.qld.gov.au Objectives To deliver a quantitative capability for assessing different tree management options in native pastures. Delivery will be at two levels: The expected outcome of this quantitative capability will be better decisions regarding tree management on grazing properties and hence better outcomes in terms of environmental, economic and community values. 1. existing grazier groups 2. policy and GIS-based property assessment supporting the implementation of the new Queensland vegetation management Act.
Background The retention of trees in strips provides an option for managing woody vegetation in pastoral systems in northern Australia. However, the beneficial and competitive impacts of tree strips on pasture production has not been researched in detail in southern Queensland. Research In this study, the influence of retained tree strips on pasture production in southern Queensland was measured intensively at three locations in southern Queensland covering a range of pastures and species composition. During 2004 and 2005, measurements were made along transects 80-300 metres in length positioned perpendicular to tree strips. The tree strips ranged from 20-75 metres wide. Measurements included pasture micro-climate, pasture standing dry matter in grazed and ungrazed situations, pasture botanical composition, pasture nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations and yields, tree and shrub composition of tree strips, soil nutrient status and soil microbial activity, soil water, and a pasture growth ‘bioassay’ using exclosures. Simple algebraic and complex simulation models were developed from the results. Analysis concentrated on two well established sites. The results from a third location were dominated by the influences of recent pasture establishment. Outcomes The experimental approach using exclosed pasture transects proved an effective ‘bioassay’ integrating beneficial and competitive effects on pasture growth for two locations. Peak pasture yield, approximately 20-30% greater than open zone pasture, occurred at a distance of approximately 2 times the tree height from the edge of the strips. This general beneficial effect occurred over the range of 1 to 6 times tree height from the tree strip edge. Within the tree strip, pasture growth was 45% of the open zone pasture. Averaged across two locations and two years, the competitive effects of the tree strip were compensated to some extent by the zone of enhanced pasture growth. Algebraic and simulation models were developed to hypothetically separate the beneficial and competitive effects of the tree strip. The transect pasture measurements and fitted algebraic model suggested that pasture growth, integrated from the middle of the tree strip to the open zone (6 to 8 times tree height from the strip edge), was about 90-95% of open zone growth. The supporting measurements allowed these effects to be represented in a soil-water pasture growth model (GRASP) allowing extrapolation of the field results over a greater range of climatic variability. However, the analyses also indicated major sources of with-in site variability that need to be accounted for before results can be extrapolated to other locations and configurations.
Implications This study represents the initial attempt to measure and model both competitive and beneficial effects of tree strips in southern Queensland. It demonstrated that the pasture exclosure bioassay approach, supported by additional measurements, was a very effective method to quantify the complex interactions in a range of pasture-tree orientations in terms of soils and locations. The next step is to address the complexities raised in the study to test the generality of the findings derived from the two locations. Publications This project was jointly funded by JVAP and Meat and Livestock Australia. A detailed draft final report (355 pages, 470 graphs) has been submitted and will be published by MLA: Chilcott, C., McGrath, W., Paton, C., Fraser, G. and McKeon, G. Assessing the value of trees in sustainable grazing systems.
Completed Projects – 3. Develop agroforestry designs that optimize social, economic and environmental factors at the paddock, farm and regional-landscape scale
Project Title: (NHT) Improving timber and habitat management of private native forests in north-east NSW RIRDC Project No.: USC-8A Researcher: Prof Jerry Vanclay Organisation: Southern Cross University Phone: 02 6620 3147 Fax: 02 6621 2669 Email: jvanclay@scu.edu.au Objectives To provide information and analysis tools that will enable landholders and harvest contractors to integrate their existing bush knowledge with new measurement and forest assessment skills, so as to improve the standing commercial and habitat values of PNF now and in the future. The wider application of silviculturally and environmentally sound management systems can be expected to result in better commercial returns to landholders, maintenance or improvement of stand-level habitat values, improved industry resource access, and reduced social conflict. Background This study conducted a literature review of sustainability indicators such as standards and scoring systems that are relevant to private forests of the northeast NSW region. Based on this review and a workshop with a wider group of researchers, field methodologies for assessing sustainability were developed for use on private native forest sites. Research The research was conducted across 21 Spotted Gum forest sites on four case study properties in northeast NSW which had a range of current condition and management practices. Vegetation structure, timber stand attributes, and fauna (birds, reptiles, mammals) were measured, and the report discusses the relationship between habitat value index scores, fauna presence, and timber productivity. The EUCAMIX model was updated to include predictions based on the above data, and a more user-friendly front end was added. Outcomes The majority of the sites, regardless of management history, scored highly using the habitat value index scores. No evidence was found to suggest relationships between index scores, the richness or abundance of a number of broad fauna groups, objective or subjective (descriptive) measures of forest overstorey stand structure and silvicultural condition, or past management history. However there are substantial differences in indicators of forest overstorey structure and timber productivity arising from different silvicultural treatments. Implications The research provides and demonstrates the application of information and analysis tools that will enable landowners to consider two key sustainability indicators. These are the maintenance of habitat quality and the maintenance of forest timber productivity. Publications A report has been submitted to RIRDC. The EUCAMIX silvicultural decision support tool for mixed-species mixed size native forest management is available for distribution (licensed evaluation version) via the researcher. Completed Projects – 4. Facilitate new policy and institutional arrangements that stimulate agroforestry investment
Project Title: Rural industries and carbon trading: opportunities, barriers and risk management (RDC collaborative project) RIRDC Project No.: LWR-6A Researcher: New Forests Pty Ltd Organisation: The project was coordinated through Land & Water Australia (LWA). Phone: (02) 6263 6088 (Laura Harris, Program Officer, LWA) Fax: (02) 6263 6099 Email: laura.harris@lwa.gov.au Objectives 1. To review and provide a synthesis of relevant existing literature, studies, reports and models in the form of a Background Paper identifying key issues for consideration at a workshop 2. To design a workshop of relevant experts and stakeholders, structured around the key issues in the Background Paper and identification of appropriate participants;
3. To facilitate the conduct of the workshop over 1 day with appropriate presentations and discussion inputs, and to make record of the discussions and key outcomes, including identification of key knowledge gaps;
4. To draft a possible submission to the Prime Minister’s Task Group, addressing key issues flagged in the Task Group’s Discussion Paper, drawing on the project Background Paper and discussion at the Workshop. This will be for consideration and any necessary approvals by the individual participating organisations;
5. To prepare a final report of the project, including a preliminary research agenda drawing on the above inputs, as the basis for a possible ongoing program of research for investment consideration by LWA and its partners.
Background The project was commissioned by Land & Water Australia (LWA) in partnership with other Research and Development Corporations (RDC) and non-government organisations (NGO) to inform the work of the Prime Minister's Task Group on Emissions Trading. Agriculture and rural industries in general, including forestry, as suppliers of carbon credits, have the potential to participate in an emissions trading market. This opens up a potentially new income stream for farmers and other landholders as well as potentially significant risks. The short time frame did not permit the commissioning of any new research at this stage, so the focus was on the synthesis of existing knowledge and identification of knowledge gaps.
The RIRDC contribution came from the New Industries Portfolio and JVAP.
Research As above, under ‘Objectives’, based on a literature review and workshop processes involving selected research experts and RDC representatives. Outcomes A range of RDCs and agencies, including RIRDC and NFF, participated in the workshop and review of the report and R&D needs. An Emissions Trading Scheme Issues Paper was forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Task Group on Emissions Trading, on behalf of a number of RDCs. This paper focused primarily on the issues concerning agriculture and forestry. The issues paper was: ‘Agriculture, Forestry and Emissions Trading: How do we participate?’ The paper was developed by Land & Water Australia and released on behalf of the following RDCs:
·1 Australian Pork Limited (APL) Sugar Research and Development Corporation (SRDC)·2 Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC)
·3 Forests and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation (FWPRDC)
·4 Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
·5 Horticulture Australia Council (HAC)
·6 Land & Water Australia (LWA)
·7 Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), and
Implications An emissions trading scheme would have major implications for agriculture and forestry in Australia. If they were left out of such a scheme, their costs would still rise through the increase in energy prices that would be expected from such a scheme. Only by their inclusion in any emissions trading scheme could their potential to deliver low-cost abatement be identified and maximised. However, significant research and development of standards, methodologies, protocols, and management practices are needed before agriculture can engage fully with an emissions trading scheme. A phased approach which included the development and implementation of the necessary research program could allow agriculture and forestry to become full participants in an emissions trading system over time to ensure the continued sustainability of agriculture and forestry in Australia. This will require business, government and the research community working together.
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