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Current Research Projects
Author: Nathan Webber
Degree: PhD
The widespread channel incision throughout many upper catchment floodplains in south-eastern Australia has dramatically altered the hydrological and geomorphological functions of these landscapes. Floodplain incision, such as that observed along Mulloon Creek, lowers stream bed levels and drains the local perched watertable of the alluvial aquifer. This significantly alters the hydrological regime by reducing surface water-groundwater interactions and inturn the groundwater storage potential. More Details
Author: Cam Wilson, Susan Ogilvy
Agricultural practices such as Keyline cultivation and time-control grazing are implemented to positively impact soil and pasture health, resilience and productivity within a short period of implementation (5 years). It is thought that they improve water, oxygen and nitrogen infiltration and the conditions for desirable diverse pasture species to thrive. This in turn is claimed to improve the health of the soil microbes and access to nutrients by plants. More information about the relative value of investment in Keyline pattern cultivation compared to other strategies for improving soil would be valuable to farmers making these decisions.
This investigation aims to qualify and quantify the impact of Keyline cultivation in this area of the Southern Tablelands and to provide some explanation of any impact seen. More Details
Author: Susan Ogilvy, Cam Wilson
Developed and implemented by Daryl Cluff and Colin Seis, Pasture Cropping aims to improve the abundance and vitality of soil microbes and fungi to improve pasture plant productivity. It uses a method of direct drilling of cereal crop into a dormant (usually native) perennial pasture. This cropping method is always combined with grazing management.
Research and studies of Pasture Cropping has shown that the practice has positively impacted landscape function, soil Carbon, nutrient availability and pasture quality. This case study implementation at MCNF will add to this research by demonstrating and explaining improvement of soils and pastures in our part of the Southern Tablelands. More Details
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