A review of the drought regional initiatives program of NSW Agriculture
Rogan, I. Mr Ph: (02) 6884 5544; Fax: (02) 6884 5542; irogan@hassall.com.au
Peart, G. Mr, Callaghan, G. Mr, Foreman, I. Mr., Murphy, A. Mr
Bennett, D. Dr; ph: (02) 9665 0251; mobile: 0411 210 251; fax (02) 9665 0251; mailto:hasdoc@ozemail.com.au
Research organisation: Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd, PO Box 1170, Dubbo NSW 2830; Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd, GPO Box 4625, Sydney, NSW 2001.
Sponsors: NSW Agriculture
Objective: To review the effectiveness of the drought regional initiatives (DRI) program of NSW.
Methodology:
Six projects are being reviewed:
1. Cap and Pipe the Bores
2. Improved Farm Water Supplies for Livestock
3. Fodder Conservation
4. Conservation Tillage
5. Climatology
6. Alternative Forage Sources in Drought Management
Project co-ordinators and other relevant NSW Agriculture/DLWC staff were contacted as soon as the project commenced. Key staff will be visited, where necessary to collect relevant records and discuss project outcomes and impressions relative to performance indicators with those staff. We understand that the RAA is the source of contact data for recipients of grants under projects 3 to 5, while DLWC is the source of such data for projects 1 and 2. Specific surveys will be developed that address the performance indicators for each project. Mail surveys with be followed up with telephone calls, where necessary, to maximise response rates.
The final report will deal specifically with the performance indicators of each project and provide an overall analysis and commentary on the financial, social, technical and environmental impacts of the DRI program components. Comment will be provided about the relative effectiveness of the different components in achieving enhanced on-farm drought preparedness for NSW farm businesses. We will make suggestions about changes to the program in the future to improve its effectiveness and likely level of participation by NSW farmers.
Progress: Initial consultation has been held with project coordinators.
Period: starting date 1998-11; completion date 1999-2
Status: project commenced.
Keywords: project review, drought, climatology, fodder, water supply, evaluation.
Publications: None as yet
Australian Grassland and Rangeland Assessment by Spatial Simulation (Aussie GRASS)
Dr Wayne Hall, ph. (07) 3896 9612; fax. (07) 3896 9843; wayne.hall@dnr.qld.gov.au
Research organisation: Climate Impacts and Grazing Systems Group, Queensland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), 80 Meiers Road, Indooroopilly
Sponsor: National Climate Variability Program (administered by Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation).
Collaborators:
Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (Rodd Dyer); Western Australia Agriculture (Greg Beeston, Ian Watson, Mat Bolam, Andrew Craig); Department of Environment, Heritage and Aboriginal Affairs, SA (Roger Tynan); Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (Russell Flavel); Department of Land and Water Conservation, NSW (Rob Richards, Daryl Green, Alan McGufficke); New South Wales Agriculture (Ron Hacker, Judy Bean, Graeme Tupper, John Crichton, Harpal Mavi); Queensland Department of Primary Industries (Col Paull)
Objectives:
- A fully calibrated and validated spatial pasture growth model running operationally on a 5 km grid basis for all of Australia's grazing lands using the best available regional models.
- To have developed products from the model, as required by stakeholders, that are available on a monthly basis in a suitable format via efficient delivery mechanisms (e.g. world wide web).
- Increased stakeholder understanding of the variable climate in which our grazing industries operate, and how this variability and climate extremes interact with management decisions to impact on our natural resources.
- Stakeholders incorporating Aussie GRASS products in their decision making process so at to ensure continued sustainable use of our grazing lands.
Progress:
Aussie GRASS is the second phase to the Development of a National Drought Alert Strategic Information System (LWRRDC QPI20) which developed a prototype national pasture modelling framework but with an emphasis on Queensland. This phase is concerned with: 1) testing regional pasture and shrub growth models which may have advantages over the existing model in certain communities; 2) improving the spatial inputs to the model and thus the accuracy of the outputs; 3) fully calibrating and validating model output using field data collected using the 'spider mapping' methodology developed in the first phase; and 4) working with stakeholders to develop and refine products that aid them in their decision making process.
Testing of regional models is underway. Spatial field data collection (spider mapping) has begun in the Northern Territory, Kimberleys and New South Wales with data for Northern Territory having been used to calibrate parameters in the spatial model. Output from the spatial model has been provided to the Rural Adjustment Scheme Advisory Council for the Wentworth district of New South Wales to facilitate assessment for Exceptional Circumstances funding. A series of training workshops has been conducted in New South Wales, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia. Products are being developed in consultation with stakeholders. These workshops are designed to ensure that researchers and extension officers are aware of the Aussie GRASS project, available products, and how these products can be utilised for decision making. The workshops also allow stakeholders to contribute to further product development and refinement.
Further details of the project are available at http://www.dnr.qld.gov.au/longpdk/agrass/proj.html
Period: starting date 1997-04; completion date 1999-12
Status: ongoing, with monthly output of prototype products available to all of Australia via the Aussie GRASS web site. This web site is password protected to ensure that prototype products are not misused.
Keywords: grasslands; rangelands; range condition; pastures; satellite imagery; simulation models
Publications:
Carter, J.O., Hall, W.B., Brook, K.D., McKeon, G.M., Day, K.A. and Paull, C.J. (in press). Aussie GRASS: Australian grassland and rangeland assessment by spatial simulation. In Applications of Seasonal Climate Forecasting in Agricultural and Natural Ecosystems - The Australian Experience, edited by G. Hammer, N. Nicholls and C. Mitchell, Kluwer Academic Press, The Netherlands.
Hall, W., Day, K., Carter, J., Paull, c. and Bruget, D. (1997). Assessment of Australia's grasslands and rangelands by spatial simulation. Proceedings of the MODSIM 97 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, edited by A.D. McDonald and M. McAleer, Hobart, Tasmania, 8-11 December 1997, 4, 1736-1741.
Developing a sustainable satellite fire monitoring program for rural northern Australia
Jeremy Russell-Smith, Mr; ph: (08) 8984 4000; fax (08) 8947 2263; jeremy.russell-smith@nt.gov.au
Lisa Collett, Ms; ph: (07) 3896 9783; fax: (07) 3896 9843; lisa.collett@dnr.qld.gov.au
Research Organisations: Bushfires Council of NT (Jeremy Russell-Smith), PO Box 37346, Winnellie, NT 0821, DNR, 80 Meiers Road, Indooroopilly Qld 4068 (Lisa Collett).
Collaborating Organisations and staff:
Tropical Savannas CRC, Bushfire Council of NT, WA Department of Land Administration, Parks and Wildlife Commission NT, NT Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Murdoch University, Northern Territory University
Sponsor:
RIRDC, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation - through Tropical Savannas CRC, Darwin
Objectives:
- To develop accurate and reliable systems for satellite monitoring and mapping of fires across the fire-prone savanna regions of northern Australia, through critical assessment of errors associated with current WA and NT fire monitoring programs using NOAA-AVHRR.
- To provide north Australian rural communities ready, daily access to remotely sensed fire data.
Methodology:
- Accurate, reliable and timely fire data
- Access to accurate and reliable remote sensing products
- Achieve national processing standards in daily monitoring systems such as the NOAA- AVHRR platform
Progress:
A framework for the validation program has been developed and initial training undertaken in the Victoria River District, NT with all agencies involved present.
Several workshops held by Tropical Savannas CRC in Darwin to prioritise further research issues and strengthen collaborative links.
QDNR about to commence preliminary field validation exercises in Queensland.
Period: starting date - DNR involvement commenced 1998-02; 1999-07
Development of a national drought alert strategic information system
Brook, K. Mr; Ph: (07) 3877 9379; Fax: (07) 3877 9606; ken.brook@dnr.qld.gov.au
Research organisation: Climate Impacts and Applications Group, Queensland Department of Natural Resources, 80 Meiers Road, Indooroopilly Qld 4068
Collaborators: Mr G. Beeston, Western Australian Department of Agriculture; Mr D. Barber, South Australian Department of Environment and Land Management; Mr D. Green, NSW Department of Conservation and Land Management; NT Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Sponsors: LWRRDC, Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation; GRDC, Grains Research and Development Corporation; Goodman Fielder Mill Ltd
Objectives:
1. To develop a national drought alert strategic information system with emphasis on Australia's rangelands, and based on a spatial model of pasture growth and utilisation coupled with seasonal climatic forecasts.;
2. To develop a spatial database of functional modelling inputs, viz, soil water, stock density, pasture type, tree cover, near real-time meteorology, remotely sensed data, and using the total rainfall record for the last 120 years and climate record for the last 35 years.;
3. To collect a complete set of independent validation data for Queensland, and a partial set in other states.;
4. To validate the spatial model in Queensland and partially validate it in other states.;
5. To adapt the model outputs to produce maps of feed deficit and land condition alerts, and computer visualisations of evolving rainfall and pasture droughts in the context of historical probability.;
6. To improve wheat forecasts by coupling of simulation models of wheat production to the rangelands spatial modelling framework.;
7. To communicate the modelling methodology to collaborating organisations in CSIRO, NSW, Vic, SA, NT and WA as a powerful integrated framework for ongoing development.;
8. To communicate the project results to land managers.
Methodology: A spatial model, running adaptations of the QDPI GRASP pasture simulation model on a 5km grid, will be developed for Australia's rangelands. The spatial modelling framework will also run a spatial model of wheat production. Using various seasonal forecasting methods, a spatial representation of drought alerts and land degradation will be issued. The model will be validated against independent sets of field data and NOAA satellite imagery.
Progress:
A prototype spatial model has been developed and tested extensively. The project has evolved into the development of the national Aussie GRASS model (Australian Grassland and Rangeland Assessment by Spatial Simulation; refer next project), with collaborative support from most of the States and the Northern Territory.
Period: starting date 1993-07; completion date 1996-06
Status: completed.
Publications:
Brook, K.D. (1996). Development of a national drought alert strategic information system, Volume 1: Research summary, Final report QPI20 to Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation, 11 pp.
Brook, K.D. and Carter, J.O. (1994). Integrating satellite data and pasture growth models to produce feed deficit and land condition alerts. Agricultural Systems & Information Technology 6(2), 38-40, 54-56.
Brook, K.D. and Carter, J.O. (1996). A prototype National Drought Alert Strategic Information Systems for Australia. In: Drought Network News: the Newsletter of the International Drought Information Center and U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center, Lincoln, Nebraska, pp 13-16.
Brook, K.D., Carter, J.O., Danaher, T.J. McKeon, G.M., Flood, N.R. and Peacock, A. (1992). The use of spatial modelling and remote sensing for monitoring and forecasting of drought-related land degradation events in Queensland. Proceedings of the 6th Australasian Remote Sensing Conference, Wellington, New Zealand, November 2-9, 1992, 1, 140-149.
Brook, K.D., Carter, J.O., Danaher, T.J., McKeon, G.M., Flood, N.R. and Peacock, A. (1992). SWARD: Statewide Analysis of the Risks of Land Degradation in Queensland. Agricultural Systems and Information Technology 4(2), 9-11.
Carter, J.O. and Brook, K.D. (1995). Developing a national drought alert framework. In: Proceedings of the Managing with Climate Variability Conference, 'Of Droughts and Flooding rains', Canberra, 16-17 November 1995, LWRRDC Occasional Paper CV03/96, pp 53-60.
Carter, J.O., Brook, K.D., Danaher, T.J. and McKeon, G.M. (1992). A strategic information system for real-time management of rangelands during drought using spatial modelling methodology. In Proceedings of the Twentieth Annual International Conference of the Australasian Urban and Regional Information Systems Association Incorporated, Gold Coast, 25-27 November, 1992, pp 229-237.
Carter, J., Flood, N., McKeon, G., Peacock, A., Beswick, A. (1996). Development of a National Drought Alert Strategic Information System, Volume 4: Model framework, Parameter derivation, Model calibration, Model validation, Model outputs, Web technology, Final report on QPI20 to Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation, 42 pp.
Carter, J. Flood, N., Danaher, T., Hugman, P., Young, R. Duncalfe, F., Barber, D., Flavel, R., Beeston, G. Mlodawski, G., Hart, D., Green, D., Richards, R., Dudgeon, G., Dance, R., Brock, D and Petty, D. (1996). Development of a National Drought Alert Strategic Information System, Volume 3: Development of data rasters for model inputs, Final report on QPI20 to Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation, 76 pp.
Hall, W., Day, K., Carter, J., Paull, C. and Bruget, D. (1997). Assessment of Australia's grasslands and rangelands by spatial simulation. Proceedings of the MODSIM 97 International Congress on Modelling and Simulation, (edited by A.D. McDonald and M. McAleer), 8-11 December 1997, Hobart, Tas., vol. 4, pp. 1736-1741.
Hammer, G., Stephens, D. and Butler, D. (1996). Development of a National Drought Alert Strategic Information System, Volume 6: Wheat Modelling Subproject (a) Development of Predictive Models of Wheat Production, Final report on QPI20 to Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation, 41 pp.
Kuhnell, C. and Danaher, T. (1996). Development of a National Drought Alert Strategic Information System, Volume 6: Wheat Modelling Sub project (b) Mapping broadacre cropping areas in Queensland using Landsat TM and NOAA AVHRR imagery, Final report on QPI20 to Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation, 10 pp.
McKeon, G., Paull, C. and Peacock, A. (1996). Development of a National Drought Alert Strategic Information System, Volume 5: Evaluation of model performance relative to rainfall, Inter-state model calibration, Extension, and State comments, Final report on QPI20 to Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation, 58 pp.
McKeon, G.M., Brook, K.D., Carter, J.O., Day, K.A., Howden, S.M., Johnston, P.W., Scanlan, J.C. and Scattini, W.J. (1994). Modelling utilisation rates in the Black Speargrass Zone of Queensland. In: Proceedings of the 8th Australian Rangelands Society Conference, June 21-23, Katherine, NT, pp. 128-132.
Wood, H., Hassett, R., Carter, J. and Danaher, T. (1996). Development of a National Drought Alert Strategic Information System, Volume 2: Field validation of pasture biomass and tree cover, Final report on QPI20 to Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation, 51 pp.
Drought monitoring of the Australian continent by satellite
Smith, R.C. Dr; Ph. (08) 9340 9330; fax: (08) 9383 7142; richard_smith@notes.dola.wa.gov.au; http://www.rss.dola.wa.gov.au/
Research Organisation: Remote Sensing Services, Department of Land Administration, DOLA, P.O. Box 471, Wembley W.A. 6014
Collaborators: Agriculture Western Australia
Sponsor: Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation
Objectives:
1. To develop a NDVI time series free of sensor and atmospheric bias with which to monitor drought in pastoral areas;
2. To standardise and improve the accuracy of satellite monitoring of green vegetation cover from the NOAA_AVHRR satellite, so that a comparable measure is generated on the eastern and western sides of Australia.
Methodology: The project aims to standardise and improve the accuracy of current satellite monitoring of green vegetation. Currently, the satellite monitoring for the eastern and western sides of Australia are not compatible. This standardised information will provide a more sensitive, relevant and verifiable national measure of green vegetation cover for monitoring drought-affected areas. It will also improve the reliability of the QDPI National Drought Alert Model and hence the ability of pastoralists to make grazing decisions.
Progress: Vegetation condition was monitored using time series analysis of the NDVI obtained from the AVHRR sensor (Smith 1994). This has been applied to the extensive rangelands of WA (Cridland et al. 1995). Stocking density and when to muster are important issues, exacerbated by the size of individual paddocks. Since pastoralists only want to muster livestock once a year, having an indication of the available feed assists decisions of when to muster.
Cridland et al. (1995) analysed the four years of NDVI data, by plotting the NDVI signal as a time series. The height, in NDVI units, from a varying baseline to the maximum peak within the growing season, is calculated. This green 'flush' is the response of the landscape to rainfall. The baseline was varied so that the influence of perennial cover in the NDVI signal was accounted for. The baseline is defined as the minimum from the previous year.
The vegetation response or 'flush' recorded as the maximum for a particular year is then considered relative to the absolute maximum 'flush' within the four (or more) years of data. As well as indicating where and when grazing condition is poor, both images may be used to highlight opportunities to increase stocking densities due to an increase in available feed. This can help place individual years within a historical context.
Period: starting date 1993-07; completion date 1995-06
Status: completed
Keywords: vegetation, remote sensing, drought, monitoring, satellite imagery, standards, forecasting, grazing
Publications:
Cridland, S.W., Burnside, D.G. and Smith, R.C.G. (1995). Use by managers in rangeland environments of near real-time satellite measurements of seasonal vegetation response. In Mapping resources, monitoring the environment and managing the future. Proceedings of the 7th Australasian Remote Sensing Conference, vol. 2, 1-4 March, Melbourne.
Smith, R.C.G. (1994). Australian vegetation watch. Final report to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. RIRDC reference No. DOL-1A.
Improved understanding of the population dynamics of perennial plants important for sustainable sheep grazing and for rangeland monitoring
Watson, I. Dr; Ph: (08) 9690 2128; Fax: (08) 9622 1902; iwatson@agric.wa.gov.au
Westoby, M. Prof; Ph: (02) 9850 8196; Fax: (02) 9850 8245; mwestoby@rna.bio.mq.edu.au
Research organisation: Macquarie University, School of Biological Sciences, North Ryde NSW 2109
Collaborator: Agriculture Western Australia, PO Box 483, Northam WA 6401
Sponsors: AWRAPO: Australian Wool Research and Promotion Organisation; Agriculture Western Australia Southern Pastoral Region
Objectives:
1. To use an existing demographic data set of rangeland shrubs from a sheep grazing trial to describe the population dynamics of perennial species important for both range stability and animal production;
2. To model the population dynamics of semi-arid rangeland shrubs in order to better interpret data acquired from rangeland monitoring systems.
3. To investigate the relative importance of episodic and continuous process in the demography of arid zone shrubs.
Methodology:
A ten year sheep grazing study from a semi-arid shrubland near Carnarvon, Western Australia (Boolathana Station, 24o 39'S. 113o 42'E.) used set stocking at five different stocking rates on pastures in two different condition states. Within this trial, demographic data were collected from a range of shrub species. These data include recruitment, mortality, biomass and canopy size over the ten year period.
Progress: PhD Thesis accepted 1997.
Period: starting date 1993-10; completion date 1996-10
Status: completed
Keywords: shrub demography, range monitoring, grazing effects, transition matrices, rangeland management.
Publications:
Watson, I.W., Burnside, D.G. and Holm, A. McR. (1996) Event-driven or continuous - which is the better model for managers? The Rangeland Journal 18, 351-369.
Watson, I.W. (1997). Continuous and episodic demography of arid zone shrubs in Western Australia, 1983-1993. PhD thesis, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, 400 pp.
Watson, I.W. (1998). Monitoring Western Australian shrublands; what are the expectations of change? Range Management Newsletter 98/2, 1-5.
Watson, I.W. (1999 - submitted). A model of expected change on Western Australian range monitoring sites. Poster/paper submitted to the VI International Rangelands Congress. Townsville, July 1999.
Watson, I.W., Westoby, M. and Holm, A.McR. (1996). Population dynamics of the arid zone shrub Eremophila maitlandii in a ten year sheep grazing trial. In Rangelands in a sustainable Biosphere, Proceedings of the Vth International Rangelands Congress. (edited by N.E. West) p. 594., Society for Range Management, Denver.
Watson, I.W., Westoby, M. and Holm, A.McR. (1997a). Demography of two shrub species from an arid grazed ecosystem in Western Australia, 1983-1993. Journal of Ecology 85, 815-832.
Watson, I.W., Westoby, M. and Holm, A.McR. (1997b). Continuous and episodic components of demographic change in arid zone shrubs: models of two Eremophila species from Western Australia compared with published data on other species. Journal of Ecology 85, 833-846.
Sustainable Land Use Information System (SLUIS)
Munro, R.K. Dr; ph. (02) 6272 4035; fax: (02) 6272 4687; robert.munro@brs.gov.au
Research organisation: Bureau of Resource Sciences, PO Box E11, Kingston, ACT 2604
Sponsor: Department of Primary Industries and Energy (Cabinet initiative)
Collaborators: The Centre for Advanced Numerical Computation in Engineering and Science, University of New South Wales; and the School of Mathematics of the University of New South Wales.
Objective:
To provide integrated scientific information relating to the effects of climate variability on land surface processes.
Methodology:
Primary information sources include soils, vegetation, topography, and weather conditions. Outputs are primarily focussed on integrating atmospheric and land surface hydrology.
SLUIS works by integrating the outputs of a numerical weather prediction model with a land surface hydrological model. Emphasis has been placed on estimating soil moisture at a range of depths, and surface runoff. Many other parameters of interest in estimating biological responses to climate variability are also calculated, such as soil temperature, wind speed and direction, radiation and humidity.
This information provides a basis on which to monitor and analyse biological effects arising from climate variability and change, including drought. Over most of Australia a major source of variation in plant growth from year to year is due to changes in the availability of water.
Estimates of soil moisture are an important input to models and decision support systems relating to agricultural and environmental management. Improved accuracy of inputs and areal coverage resulting from SLUIS will contribute to improved quality of outputs from these systems. Examples of these systems are agricultural plant growth models, groundwater recharge models and wind and water soil erosion prediction models.
SLUIS has been constructed in such a way that it is capable of being coupled to Global Climate Models, providing effective downscaling to improve resolution in time and for regional and continental areas. This will provide valuable information for analysis and prediction of impacts of climate variability and change.
Progress: The SLUIS model is now operational. Testing of the model is continuing.
Period: starting date 1995-04; completion date: 1997-06
Status: completed
Keywords: soil moisture; drought assessment; climate variability; simulation model
Publications:
Lyons, W.F., Munro, R.K., Wood, M.S., Shao, Y. and Leslie, L.M. (1998). A broadscale wind erosion model for environmental assessment and management. Ecosystems and Sustainable Development 1, 275-294.
Lyons W.F., Shao, Y., Munro, R., Wood, M.S., Hood, L. and Leslie, L. (1997). Soil moisture modelling and prediction over the Australian continent using the ALSIS land surface schema. In R.K. Munro and L.M. Leslie (eds.) Climate prediction for agricultural and resource management, Australian Academy of Science Conference, Canberra, Australia, 6-8 May 1997, Bureau of Resource Sciences, Canberra, pp. 151-164.
Munro, R.K. and Lembit, M. (1997). Managing climate variability in the national interest: needs and objectives. In R.K. Munro and L.M. Leslie (eds.) Climate prediction for agricultural and resource management, Australian Academy of Science Conference, Canberra Australia, 6-8 May 1997, Bureau of Resource Sciences, Canberra, pp. 3-20.
Munro, R.K. and Leslie, L.M. eds. (1997) Climate Prediction for Agricultural and Resource Management, Australian Academy of Science and Bureau of Resource Sciences, Canberra.
Munro, R.K., Lyons, W.F., Shao, Y., Wood, M.S., Hood, L.M. and Leslie, L.M. (in press). Modelling land surface interactions over the Australian continent with an emphasis on the role of soil moisture. Environmental Modelling and Software.
Munro, R.K., Lyons, W.F., Wood, M.S., Shao, Y. and Leslie, L.M. (1998). A Sustainable Land Use Information System. Ecosystems and Sustainable Development, 1, 635-650.
Munro, R.K., Lyons, W.F., Leslie, L.M. and Lembit, M.J. (in press). Potential to use seasonal forecasting for advice on national agricultural policy. In G. Hammer (ed.) Symposium on application of seasonal climate forecasting in agricultural and natural ecosystems: The Australian experience. Kluwers.
Shao, Y., Munro, R.K. and Irannejad. P. (in press). Surface energy fluxes on different scales. Environmental Modelling and Software.
Shao, Y., Munro, R.K., Leslie, L.M., and Lyons, W.F. (1998). A Wind Erosion Model and its Application to Broad Scale Wind Erosion Pattern Assessment. Advances in GeoEcology, 31, 307-316.
Shao, Y., Leslie, L.M., Munro R.K., Irannejad, P., Lyons, W.F., Morison, R., Short, D. and Wood, M.S. (1997). Soil Moisture Prediction over the Australian Continent. Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics, 63, 195-215.
Systems overview of the northern Australian beef industry for optimal management of resources
Mayer, D.G. Mr; Ph: (07) 3362 9574; Fax: (07) 3362 9429; dmayer@dpi.qld.gov.au
Research organisations: Queensland Beef Industry Institute, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, LMB 4, Moorooka Qld 4105; Queensland Department of Natural Resources, 80 Meiers Road, Indooroopilly Qld 4068.
Objectives:
1. To develop a systems overview of resources in the beef industry of northern Australia;
2. To use this to determine optimal sustainable strategies for the industry as a whole;
3. To investigate the effects of industry policy and infrastructure changes, and evaluate alternatives.
Methodology: Collate biological data on production land class, livestock and other resources for regions. Estimate relevant rates and patterns (survival, reproduction, weight gain, turnoff) for use as model parameters. Evaluate stock numbers and movement patterns within and between regions. Analyse market prices and options, both current and potential, across livestock classes. Use historical climatic data to predict potential production and risks. For each production land class, region and zone, integrate the above into existing animal production/herd dynamics models. Extend this to a spatial and temporal nature. Investigate alternate production systems to develop management strategies which optimise enterprise selection for various regions of the north Australia industry.
Progress: Collaboration continues with researchers from the Climate Impacts and Applications Group at Indooroopilly within the Queensland Department of Natural Resources (QDNR), on integrating the climatic and resource databases with GRASP to produce state wide estimates of pasture and thus beef production. Recent developments have included the estimation of key biological rates for the beef industry (fertility, mortality and weight changes) from a number of environments.
Period: starting date 1993-01; completion date 1999-12
Status: ongoing
Keywords: Beef cattle; farm management; grazing management; rangelands modelling; stocking
Publications:
Mayer, D.G., Pepper, P.M., Moore, A.D. and Freer, M. (1995). Estimation of key biological relationships for livestock production systems in northern Australia. Proceedings of 'Biometrics 95', International Biometric Society (Australasian Region), 25-27 September 1995, Coolangatta, 63.
Mayer, D.G., Belward, J.A. and Burrage, K. (in press). Optimizing simulation models of agricultural systems. Annals of Operations Research.
TRAPS - Transect Recording And Processing System
Burrows, W.H. Dr; Ph: (07) 4923 8100; Fax: (07) 4923 8222; mailto:burrowsb@dpi.qld.gov.au
Research organisation: Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Queensland Beef Industry Institute, PO Box 5545, Rockhampton Mail Centre Qld 4702.
Sponsors: Project supported by QDPI, QDNR, Statewide Land Cover and Trees Study and Meat and Livestock Australia.
Objectives:
1. To be a source of independent scientific rigour and advice concerning the sustainable management of grazed woodland vegetation in Queensland (60 M ha) as it may impact on grazing land productivity, tree clearing controls and guidelines, greenhouse gas (sources/sinks) and conservation issues.
2. To maintain and expand the network of permanent vegetation monitoring sites located throughout Queensland's grazed woodlands (127 sites as of 30/11/98).
3. To preserve the integrity of all site details, quantitative measurements and photographs by ensuring their storage in an appropriate digital format.
4. To interpret the changes being monitored in these woodlands and publishing the data in scientific journals and conference proceedings, as well as making all relevant information readily available to State agencies and landholders.
Methodology: This project utilises the TRAPS methodology (see Publications) to follow fluxes in woody vegetation structure and composition in Queensland's grazed woodlands.
Progress: 127 sites have been established as of 30/11/98
Period: First TRAPS site was set up in 1982; completion date - indeterminate.
Status: Project is ongoing.
Keywords: vegetation; land use; land clearance; biomass production; monitoring; satellite imagery; greenhouse effect NGGI
Publications:
Back, P.V., Anderson, E.R., Burrows, W.H., Kennedy, M.J.J. and Carter, J.O. (1997). TRAPS - Transect recording and processing system (manual and software package). (QDPI: Rockhampton).
Burrows, W.H., Compton, J.F. and Hoffmann, M.B.(1998). Vegetation thickening and carbon sinks in the grazed woodlands of north-east Australia. Proceedings of the Australian Forest Growers Conference (Lismore), pp. 305-316.
Burrows, W.H. Anderson, E.R. Back, P.V., Rutherford, M.T. and Hoffmann, M.B. (1998). Monitoring and managing native vegetation in the grazing lands of the Fitzroy Basin catchment. Proceedings of the Fitzroy Basin Sustainable Futures Symposium, Central Queensland University Press: Rockhampton, pp. 140-149.
Use by managers in rangeland environments of near real-time satellite measures of seasonal vegetation response
Cridland, S. Dr; Ph: (02) 6274 1203; Fax: (02) 6274 1333; shane@erin.gov.au
Smith, R. Dr; Ph: (08) 9340 9330; Fax: (08) 9383 7142 richard_smith.dola@notes.dola.wa.gov.au
Burnside, D. Dr; Ph: (08) 9221 1851; Fax: (08) 9221 1639; burnsidd@cygnus.uwa.edu.au
Holm, A. Mr; Ph: (08) 9389 8832; Fax: (08) 9389 8872; aholm@agric.wa.gov.au
Watson, I. Dr; Ph: (08) 9690 2128; Fax: (08) 9622 1902; iwatson@agric.wa.gov.au
Research Organisations: Agriculture Western Australia, Locked Bag 4, Bentley Delivery Centre, WA 6983; Agriculture Western Australia, PO Box 483, Northam WA 6401
Collaborator: Remote Sensing Services, Department of Land Administration.
Sponsors: Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
Objectives:
1. to develop a system of capturing NOAA-NDVI data and integrating it with spatial resource information used for rangeland management
2. to develop 'seasonal intelligence' products for rangeland users using NOAA-NDVI data
3. to distribute and promote the use of NDVI information products by pastoral land managers, government agency field staff and land administrators
Methodology:
Initial research was focussed on setting protocols in place for processing the data. Considerable effort was devoted to cloud masking and cross calibration between satellites in order to provide an historical context. A range of normalised, rather than raw NDVI values, were predominantly used in the information products. These included the maximum flush in relation to the previous season's baseline and analysis of the change in baseline NDVI from year to year. Various input combinations were used to produce user-specific products. The inputs came from a selection of derived data, a range of spatial and temporal scales and a range of display formats.
Progress: Final Report and Research report submitted
Period: starting date 1992-07; completion date 1996-07.
Status: completed
Keywords: NDVI, seasonal context, rangeland management
Publications:
Cridland, S.W., Burnside, D.G. and Smith, R.C.G. (1993). Seasons and decisions: can the NOAA satellite help ? Proceedings of the Goldfields International Conference on Arid Landcare. Kalgoorlie, Australia, pp. 113-120.
Cridland, S., Smith, R., and Burnside, D. (1993). Vegetation Watch: development for agriculture. Unpublished Report, Department of Agriculture Western Australia. 16 pp.
Cridland, S.W., Burnside, D.G. and Smith, R.C.G. (1994). Use by managers in rangeland environments of near-real time satellite measures of seasonal vegetation response. Proceedings of the 7th Australasian Remote Sensing Conference, Melbourne Australia. Vol 2, 1134-1141.
Cridland, S.W., Burnside, D.G. and Smith, R.C.G. (1996). The NDVI - use in rangeland environment. Rangelands in a sustainable biosphere. Proceedings of the Fifth International Rangeland Congress, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1995. Vol. I. Contributed Presentations. (edited by N.E. West), pp. 105-106, Society for Range Management, Denver.
Cridland, S., Burnside, D.G., Smith, R.C.G., Holm, A.MCR. and Watson, I.W. (1999). Seasonal intelligence for rangeland managers using NOAA-NDVI data. Final Report to RIRDC, DAW37-A.
Fletcher, W., McIntyre, B., Nickels, R., Cridland, S. and James, J. (1996). Pilbara steer growth evaluation 1994-1996. Miscellaneous Publication 19/96, Agriculture Western Australia.
Roderick, M., Smith, R.C.G. and Cridland, S.W. (1996). The precision of the NDVI from AVHRR observations. Remote Sensing of Environment 56, 57-65.
