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Iron(III) accumulations in inland saline waterways, Hunter Valley, Australia : Mineralogy, micromorphology and pore-water geochemistry

  • Authors: Isaacson, Lloyd , Burton, Edward , Bush, Richard , Mitchell, David , Johnston, Scott , Macdonald, Bennett , Sullivan, Leigh , White, Ian
  • Date: 2009
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Applied Geochemistry Vol. 24, no. 10 (2009), p. 1825-1834
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  • Description: Discharge of Fe(II)-rich groundwaters into surface-waters results in the accumulation of Fe(III)-minerals in salinized sand-bed waterways of the Hunter Valley, Australia. The objective of this study was to characterise the mineralogy, micromorphology and pore-water geochemistry of these Fe(III) accumulations. Pore-waters had a circumneutral pH (6.2-7.2), were sub-oxic to oxic (Eh 59-453 mV), and had dissolved Fe(II) concentrations up to 81.6 mg L-1. X-ray diffraction (XRD) on natural and acid-ammonium-oxalate (AAO) extracted samples indicated a dominance of 2-line ferrihydrite in most samples, with lesser amounts of goethite, lepidocrocite, quartz, and alumino-silicate clays. The majority of Fe in the samples was bound in the AAO extractable fraction (FeOx) relative to the Na-dithionite extractable fraction (FeDi), with generally high FeOx:FeDi ratios (0.52-0.92). The presence of nano-crystalline 2-line ferrihydrite (Fe5HO3·4H2O) with lesser amounts of goethite (α-FeOOH) was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with selected area electron diffraction (SAED). In addition, it was found that lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH), which occurred as nanoparticles as little as ∼5 lattice spacings thick perpendicular to the (0 2 0) lattice plane, was also present in the studied Fe(III) deposits. Overall, the results highlight the complex variability in the crystallinity and particle-size of Fe(III)-minerals which form via oxidation of Fe(II)-rich groundwaters in sand-bed streams. This variability may be attributed to: (1) divergent precipitation conditions influencing the Fe(II) oxidation rate and the associated supply and hydrolysis of the Fe(III) ion, (2) the effect of interfering compounds, and (3) the influence of bacteria, especially Leptothrix ochracea. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Iron-sulfide and trace element behaviour in sediments of Coombabah Lake, southern Moreton Bay (Australia)

  • Authors: Burton, Edward , Sullivan, Leigh , Bush, Richard , Powell, Bernard
  • Date: 2008
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol. 56, no. 7 (2008), p. 1353-1358
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  • Description: Iron-sulfide minerals in benthic sediments may sequester potentially toxic trace elements that are introduced to estuaries from natural and anthropogenic sources (Chapman et al., 1998, Morse and Luther, 1999, Simpson et al., 2002 and Teasdale et al., 2003). Understanding iron-sulfide formation in benthic sediments is therefore central to assessing the risk posed by sedimentary trace elements (Machado et al., 2004, Burton et al., 2005a and Burton et al., 2006a). This report provides a baseline description of sedimentary iron-sulfide and trace element behaviour in Coombabah Lake – a sub-tropical estuarine lake in southern Moreton Bay, Australia (Fig. 1).

Is New Zealand globally warming?

  • Authors: Boretti, Alberto , Watson, Thomas
  • Date: 2011
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Global Warming Vol. 3, no. 3 (2011), p. 219-231
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  • Description: NIWA proposes a seven-station temperature series to assess a globally warming trend. The warming trend predicted by NIWA is a result of their arbitrary corrections of measured temperatures to account for change of site. These changes are always increasing the temperatures and they magnify the effect of the heat island build-up around urban areas. The individual analysis of the raw temperature data from different measuring stations clearly shows that there is no warming globally occurring, with warming being conversely very well localised in time and space. Copyright © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Is there any support in the long term tide gauge data to the claims that parts of Sydney will be swamped by rising sea levels?

  • Authors: Boretti, Alberto
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Coastal Engineering Vol.64, no. June 2012), p.161-167
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  • Description: The government of Australia is supporting the statement that sea levels are rising faster than ever before as a result of increased carbon dioxide emissions. Consequent to this, low-lying coastal areas, where the majority of Australians are concentrated, have been declared at risk of sea level inundations. Maps with 0.5, 0.8 and 1.1 m sea level rise have been proposed for Sydney, the major Australian city. However, long term tide gauges, recording sea levels worldwide, as well as along the coastline of Australia, and within the bay of Sydney, do not show any sign of accelerating sea level rises at present time. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Isolation, identification, and characterisation of beer-spoilage lactic acid bacteria from microbrewed beer from Victoria, Australia

  • Authors: Menz, Garry , Andrighetto, Christian , Lombardi, Angiolella , Corich, Viviana , Aldred, Peter , Vriesekoop, Frank
  • Date: 2010
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of the Institute of Brewing Vol. 116, no. 1 (2010), p. 14-22
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  • Description: Lactic acid bacteria are the most frequently encountered beer-spoilage bacteria, and they may render beer undrinkable due to the production of lactic acid, diacetyl, and turbidity. Micro-brewed beer is typically sold unpasteurised, leaving it more susceptible to spoilage by lactic acid bacteria. In this study, the incidence of lactic acid bacteria in bottled microbrewed beer from Victoria, Australia was investigated. A total of 80 beers from 19 breweries were screened for lactic acid bacteria. Almost 30% contained culturable lactic acid bacteria, and many had lactic acid levels well above the flavour threshold. Ethanol, hops, and the pH levels of the beers were not predictors for spoilage in the beers examined, and contamination appeared to be more closely linked to the source brewery. The 45 lactic acid strains isolated from these beers were identified by RAPD-PCR, with Lactobacillus brevis being the most frequently isolated species. All isolates were capable of spoiling beer and contained putative hop resistance genes. At typical beer levels, pH and ethanol had no effect on the growth of the particular spoilage bacteria isolated in this study. © 2010 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling.
  • Description: 2003008145

Isotopic variation within Tasmanian bare-nosed wombat tooth enamel: Implications for archaeological and palaeoecological research

  • Authors: Roberts, Georgia , Towers, Jacqueline , Gagan, Michael , Cosgrove, Richard , Smith, Colin
  • Date: 2019
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology Vol. 523, no. (2019), p. 97-115
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  • Description: Archaeologists and palaeoecologists are increasingly turning to stable isotope analysis (δ 13 C, δ 18 O) of fossil bioapatite to examine interactions of human and animal populations. However, relatively few investigations have focussed on the identification of natural variation in comparable modern populations, particularly within the Australian context. In this paper, we present the first modern isotopic reference dataset for Tasmanian bare-nosed wombat teeth (Vombatus ursinus tasmaniensis). Samples for δ 13 C bioapatite and δ 18 O bioapatite measurements were recovered sequentially at sub-monthly resolution from all tooth types. δ 13 C bioapatite showed little variation within a seasonal sinusoidal pattern within the sample set (n = 24 wombats; 35 teeth) due to the homogeneous C 3 distribution of plants in Tasmania. In contrast, δ 18 O bioapatite profiles varied seasonally, representing time periods of between 0.9 and 2.1 years in 95% of the sample. Significant differences between tooth types were found from intra-individual to inter-regional scales for both dental growth rates and isotopic values. The accuracy of season-of-death assessments differed across the island; those in eastern Tasmania were accurate in all instances whereas those in the west showed substantial inaccuracies. We suggest that this may be due to the elodont form of wombat dentition and the ecologically influenced seasonally varied diet in western Tasmania. As the rate of dental growth is positively correlated with the proportion of coarse vegetation within the diet, this seasonal variation is therefore likely to change how annual isotopic signals are incorporated into the enamel. These results highlight the need to understand the degree of species-specific isotopic variation at a range of scales before applying this technique to archaeological or palaeontological assemblages.

Latrobe Valley circular industrial ecosystem

  • Authors: Ghayur, Adeel
  • Date: 2019
  • Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
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  • Description: Climate change, energy security, pollution and increasing unemployment in the face of automation are four critical challenges facing every region in the twenty-first century, including the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, Australia. The Valley – location of the largest brown coal deposits and forest industry in the southern hemisphere – is undergoing unprecedented and rapid changes. Its ageing brown coal power plants are retiring and replacements are not planned, leading to job insecurity. Solutions are needed that ensure continued economic activity in the region whilst allowing for the Valley to contribute its fair share in the fight against the climate change. The aim of this study is to investigate a possible local solution that could help tackle these issues of the Latrobe Valley in addition to plastic pollution and energy insecurity. Transitioning from linear to circular materials flow is one possible solution that favours sustainability and job security. Consequently, a multiproduct succinic acid biorefinery is modelled, acting as an industrial hub in a potential Latrobe Valley circular economy. This allows for employment creation in the value-addition of its platform chemicals into carbon negative and environment-friendly products. Additionally, such a biorefinery concept has the capacity to tackle Post-combustion CO2 Capture (PCC) industry’s wastes. It is anticipated that any future utilisation of brown coal as an energy vector would entail PCC to ensure carbon neutrality. A PCC industry produces CO2 and amine wastes that require adequate disposal. The modelled biorefinery has the capacity to valorise both. The simulation and the techno-economic analysis show the modelled Carbon Negative Biorefinery consumes 656,000 metric tonnes (t) of pulp logs and 42,000 t of CO2 to produce 220,000 t of succinic acid, 115,000 t of acetic acid and 900 t of dimethyl ether, annually. Biorefinery’s CAPEX and OPEX stand at AU$ 635,000,000 and $ 180,000,000 respectively. The calculated Minimum Selling Price for succinic acid is $ 990/t, only 6.4% higher than a typical biorefinery. Subsequently, biorefinery’s capacity as an anchor tenant is also simulated via technical evaluations of four value-added products: • Poly(butylene succinate) as biodegradable polymer replacing petro-plastics – simulation results show 1 t of succinic acid produces 0.19 t of tetrahydrofuran and 0.44 t of poly(butylene succinate); • Carbon fibre for insulation products, sporting goods and foams – 1 t of lignin and 0.8 t of acetic anhydride produce 0.8 t of carbon fibre; • Succinylated lignin adhesive for replacing urea-formaldehyde in the wood industry – simulation results show the biorefinery concept having the capacity to valorise both waste amine and CO2 from a PCC plant; and • Renewable fuels like hydrogen as energy vectors – a small biorefinery can potentially provide dozens of gigawatt hours of stored power for backup and peak demands, annually. In summary, results of this research are: • A biorefinery can valorise PCC plant wastes; • Multiproduct succinic acid biorefinery is economically viable; • Renewable fuels are ideally suited as energy storage vectors for a renewable energy grid both in developing and developed countries; • Bioproducts can reduce CO2 emissions thereby mitigate climate change; • Bioproducts can replace petro-products and reduce pollution; • Bioproducts can replace construction industry materials associated with CO2 emissions; • Biorefineries can help a region transition from a linear to a circular economy; and • Circular economies have the potential to generate secure jobs. In conclusion, this research identifies platform biochemicals as potential key drivers in a linear economy’s transition to a circular economy.
  • Description: Doctor of Philosophy

Learning by men not in work : A review of research

Learning the past to participate in the future : Regional discourses of Australian colonial history

  • Authors: Koerner, Catherine
  • Date: 2013
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies Vol. 6, no. 2 (2013), p. 29-40
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  • Description: Indigenous curricula content, including particular narratives of Australian colonial history are highly contested in contemporary Australia. How do white Australians understand Australia’s colonial past and its relevance today? An empirical study was conducted with 29 rural Australians who self-identified as white. Critical race and whiteness studies provided the framework for analysis of the interviews. I argue that they revealed a delimited understanding of colonial history and a general inability to link this to the present, which limited their capacity to think crossculturally in their everyday living - activities considered crucial in the contemporary move to Reconciliation in Australia. The normative discourse of white settler Australians to be ‘Australian’ is invested in the denial of Indigenous sovereignty to protect white settler Australian claims to national sovereignty. The findings support arguments for a national curriculum that incorporates Indigenous history as well as an Indigenous presence throughout all subject areas.

Least square support vector and multi-linear regression for statistically downscaling general circulation model outputs to catchment streamflows

  • Authors: Sachindra, D. A. , Huang, Fuchun , Barton, Andrew , Perera, Bimalka
  • Date: 2013
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Climatology Vol. 33, no. 5 (2013), p. 1087-1106
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  • Description: This study employed least square support vector machine regression (LS-SVM-R) and multi-linear regression (MLR) for statistically downscaling monthly general circulation model (GCM) outputs directly to monthly catchment streamflows. The scope of the study was limited to calibration and validation of the downscaling models. The methodology was demonstrated by its application to a streamflow site in the Grampian water supply system in northwestern Victoria, Australia. Probable predictors for the study were selected from the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data set based on the past literature and hydrology. Probable variables that displayed the best significant correlations, consistently with the streamflows over the entire period of the study (1950-2010) and under three 20-year time slices (1950-1969, 1970-1989 and 1990-2010) were selected as potential predictors. To better capture seasonal variations of streamflows, downscaling models were developed for each calendar month. The standardized potential predictors were introduced to the LS-SVM-R and MLR models, starting from the best correlated three and then, others one by one, based on their correlations with the streamflows, until the model performance in validation was maximized. This stepwise model development enabled the identification of the optimum number of potential variables for each month. The model calibration was performed over the period 1950-1989 and validation was done for 1990-2010. LS-SVM-R model parameter optimization was achieved using simplex algorithm and leave-one-out cross-validation. The MLR models were optimized by minimizing the sum of squared errors. In both modelling techniques, validation was performed as an independent simulation. In calibration, LS-SVM-R and MLR models displayed equally good performances with a trend of under-predicting high flows. During validation, LS-SVM-R outperformed MLR, though both techniques over-predicted most of the streamflows. It was concluded that LS-SVM-R is a better technique for statistically downscaling GCM outputs to streamflows than MLR, but still MLR is a potential technique for the same task. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society.

Legal risk management and injury in the fitness industry: the outcomes of focus group research and a national survey of fitness professionals

  • Authors: Keyzer, Patrick , Coyle, Ian , Dietrich, Joachim , Norton, Kevin , Sekendiz, Betul , Jones, Veronica , Finch, Caroline
  • Date: 2014
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Journal of Law and Medicine Vol. 21, no. 4 (June 2014 2014), p. 826-844
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  • Description: The Australian Fitness Industry Risk Management (AFIRM) Project was set up to explore the operation of rules and regulations for the delivery of safe fitness services. This article summarises the results of recent focus group research and a national survey of risk management practices by the AFIRM Project. Our focus group research in four States identified the following most important concerns: (1) the competency of fitness professionals; (2) the effectiveness of pre-exercise screening and the management of de-conditioned clients; (3) poor supervision of fitness service users and incorrect use of equipment; (4) fitness trainers failing to remain within their scope of practice; (5) equipment misuse (as distinct from incorrect use); and (6) poor fitness training environments. This information was then used to develop 45 specific items for a questionnaire that was disseminated throughout the fitness industry. The survey, which is the largest ever conducted in the Australian fitness industry (n = 1,178), identified similar concerns. Our research indicates that efforts to improve risk management in the fitness industry should focus, first and foremost, on the development and monitoring of safety policy, and improvements in the education and training of fitness instructors to ensure that they can incorporate risk management practices.
  • Description: C1

Lesbians living in Australia : Sense of belonging and mental health

Liberating soil data for profitable agriculture and catchment health in the Corangamite region, Australia

  • Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Nicholson, Cameron , Ryan, Bret , MacLeod, Andrew , Milne, Robert
  • Date: 2018
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 61, no. 3 (2018), p. 333-339
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  • Description: Detailed soil data has been collected in the Corangamite region of south-east Australia for over 80 years, as a testament to the productive value of the region’s agricultural soils. Soil science over that period has resulted in soil maps, soil investigation sites and archival materials that provide valuable baseline data for the analysis of trends over time. This legacy data has been brought together with contemporary data in the award-winning Soil Health Knowledge Base, an Internet portal based on spatial data infrastructure that interoperably federates data (open data, research data, industry data, sensor data, legacy data, crowdsourced data … any available data). The portal provides the best available data sources for research and consulting, as well as functions for both the private reward and the public good. The ultimate intent is to provide timely decision support for agricultural enterprises and catchment managers to protect, enhance and restore soil health.

Limnology of four saline lakes in western Victoria, Australia : I. Physico-chemical parameters

  • Authors: Khan, Tariq
  • Date: 2003
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Limnologica Vol. 33, no. 4 (2003), p. 316-326
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  • Description: Major physico-chemical parameters of four saline lakes (Lake Colac, Modewarre, Bolac and Tooliorook), in the volcanic plains of western Victoria (Australia), recorded bi-monthly between November 1999-September 2001 are described. Lakes are permanent, large (surface area range 3.5-29.6 km2) and shallow (mean depth range 1.5-3.9 m). Physico-chemical parameters revealed that lakes were homogenous with few differences between sites within lakes. Of the four lakes, Lake Modewarre had the highest salinity of 8 ppt with weak seasonal fluctuations in salinity in all the lakes. All the lakes were turbid (turbidity range 30-659 NTU), with low light penetration (suspended solids range 23-465 mg 1-1) and low Secchi depth (Secchi depth range 7.7-89 cm). pH of the lakes varied between 8.2-9.3 with low seasonal variations, indicating well buffered waters. Based on nutrient status, lakes were classified as eutrophic to highly eutrophic with higher nutrient concentrations. Nitrogen was limiting in one lake (Lake Colac) and phosphorus in the other three lakes. Meteorological events probably influence the physico-chemical parameters of these lakes strongly.
  • Description: C1
  • Description: 2003000635

Limnology of four saline lakes in western Victoria, Australia : II. Biological parameters

  • Authors: Khan, Tariq
  • Date: 2003
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Limnologica Vol. 33, no. 4 (2003), p. 327-339
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  • Description: Major biological parameters of four permanent (Lake Colac, Modewarre, Bolac and Tooliorook), shallow and slightly saline lakes in the volcanic plains of western Victoria, Australia recorded bi-monthly between November 1999-September 2001 are described. Chlorophyll a concentration ranged from 3-29
  • Description: C1
  • Description: 2003000634

Links between concepts of skill, concepts of occupation and the training system : A case study of Australia

  • Authors: Smith, Erica
  • Date: 2016
  • Type: Text , Book chapter
  • Relation: Vocationalism in Further and Higher Education : Policy, Programmes and Pedagogy (Routledge Research in Education series) Chapter 6 p. 65-77
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  • Description: This paper explores the nexus between the concepts of vocation and of occupational identity and their links to the training system. Vocational education and training (VET), and apprenticeship systems in particular, have grown from concepts of occupation. It is self-evident that VET prepares, or upskills, people for work, and therefore the training must relate to job roles, whether broadly or narrowly defined. However, the processes by which students receive training that is high quality, rigorous and government-funded are not clearly defined. One yardstick that can be applied is that training is much more likely to be privileged (in terms of training provision, rigorous curriculum and government funding) when a job is considered to be an ‘occupation’. The development of occupational identity is taken for granted, for example in traditional ‘trade’ apprenticeships in Australia or the UK trainers and teachers, employers, trade unions and policy makers share a commitment to the apprenticed trades as distinct and valuable occupations. What are the implications of these issues for the training system as a whole? In Australia, as in the UK, the availability of qualifications has kept pace with the structural changes in the economy as a whole (i.e. with the relative shift to service industries), yet some occupations and some qualifications are less respected than others. This paper uses recent research carried out in Australia to show the potential effects on workers and their access to training of conceptions of ‘worth’ in work.

Little Scotland : Presbyterian enlightenment and improvement at Buninyong

  • Authors: Beggs-Sunter, Anne
  • Date: 2014
  • Type: Text , Book chapter
  • Relation: Scots under the Southern Cross p. 65-78
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  • Description: This paper will explore the remarkable contribution of the Scots to education in the Ballarat area, particularly through the work of the Buninyong Presbyterian minister Rev. Thomas Hastie and his neighbours the Scott family, who were among our earliest white settlers in the pre-gold era, and whose legacy is still strong today.

Littoral macroinvertebrates in relation to native and exotic riparian vegetation in streams of central victoria, Australia

  • Authors: Jayawardana, Chandamali
  • Date: 2011
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: International Journal of Energy, Environment and Economics Vol. 19, no. 6 (2011), p. 635-651
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  • Description: Exotic willows (Salix spp.) are widespread riparian tree species of rivers in temperate Australia and New Zealand. Willow removal is an integral part in riparian management of rivers in temperate Australia. Reeds (Phagmites australis) and shrubs (Leptospermum spp. and Callistemon spp.) are common vegetation in the riparian zone of Victorian streams and considered suitable for planting along channels in revegetation programmes following willow removal. Little is known about the novel habitats created by willows and the impact on aquatic biota of vegetation successional process following willow management programmes. Macroinvertebrate fauna in willow, Phragmites australis, Leptospermum/ Callistemon and bare bank habitats were examined in three central Victorian streams in Australia to understand the effect of such littoral habitats on macroinvertebrates taxa richness, abundance and community composition. Data were analysed using a two way ANOVA with habitat and season as main effects. Habitats had a significant effect (p<0.05) on macroinvertebrate taxa richness. Willow and Phragmites habitats generally contained more taxa and total number of individuals than Leptospermum/ Callistemon or bare bank habitats though the absolute rank order of habitats differed among seasons. In Phragmites habitats species richness was higher during winter and spring. In willow habitats it was higher during spring and autumn and in Leptospermum/ Callistemon habitats during summer. Multivariate analysis showed that community composition within the habitats was significantly different, with willow and Phragmites separating from Leptospermum/ Callistemon and bare bank habitats in seasons with high flow. It appears that a vegetation transition from willows to bare banks or shrubs alone would be potentially more disruptive to macroinvertebrate communities than a transition from willows to a combination of littoral reeds and native riparian vegetation. This result suggests that exploration of techniques to guide a transition from willow to native littoral and riparian vegetation without a disruptive clearing phase is therefore desirable. © 2011 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Lived experiences and insights into the advantages important to rural recruitment and retention of general practitioners

  • Authors: Terry, Daniel , Nguyen, Hoang , Schmitz, David , Baker, Ed
  • Date: 2018
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Rural and remote health Vol. 18, no. 3 (2018), p. 1-16
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  • Description: INTRODUCTION: Despite existing studies in this field, community factors behind recruiting and retaining rural general practitioners (GPs) are not fully understood. To address this issue, the Community Apgar Questionnaire (CAQ) was developed to extend the understanding of communities' assets and capabilities that impact GP recruitment and retention. However, more in-depth insights are vital to develop a comprehensive approach. METHODS: This mixed methods study was administered using face-to-face structured interviews with a total of 40 health service representatives. All interviews lasted 35-40 minutes and were audio-taped. Qualitative data were generated from the extended responses to the structured questions of the CAQ and later transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted in relation to explanations, elaborations, and relevant strategic approaches to improving workforce retention. RESULTS: The qualitative findings illuminated the most important advantages of recruiting and retaining GPs were linked to medical support, hospital and community support, and economic factors, while the challenges were related to geographic factors. The underlying reasons for and nature of those advantages and challenges reinforce that health professionals' decisions to stay or leave are complex and multifactorial. CONCLUSION: The originality of the study rests on the administration of the CAQ accompanied by the opportunity for participants to provide extended responses, which gives critical insights into the complexities of rural recruitment and retention. As such, the results confirm the need for a flexible multifaceted response to improving rural GP workforce and informs decision-making in terms of addressing workforce issues within the scope of available resources and capacity.

Livestock grazing effects on riparian bird breeding behaviour in agricultural landscapes

  • Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Fraser, Hannah , Jones, Christopher
  • Date: 2019
  • Type: Text , Journal article
  • Relation: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment Vol. 270-271, no. (2019), p. 93-102
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  • Description: Globally, many bird species that rely on native woodland or forest environments are declining due to vegetation clearing for livestock pastures and cereal cropping. In many landscapes, woodland remnants are restricted to waterways and roadsides in narrow, sometimes degraded patches, and not all patches can necessarily provide the resources required to support bird populations. This study investigated the influence of livestock grazing and vegetation characteristics on bird breeding activity in riparian zones in northern Victoria, Australia, where much of the landscape is used for production and has experienced significant loss of woodland. Birds were broadly categorised as ‘woodland’ or ‘non-woodland’ species, based on dependency on woodlands for breeding. The majority of woodland species detected were relatively common, and where riparian zones were heavily grazed, there was significantly lower woodland bird breeding activity compared to non-woodland bird breeding activity (the latter increasing with grazing intensity). Woodland and non-woodland birds had consistently opposite responses to grazing intensity, vegetation and landscape characteristics, suggesting that the factors influencing breeding differ markedly between these two groups. Thus, where riparian zones are intensively grazed, the bird community shifts from predominantly woodland to largely non-woodland species. This has implications for the conservation of both rare and common woodland bird species in southern Australia. Simple changes in land management, for example, livestock exclusion from important breeding habitat, may confer large gains for population persistence of woodland bird species.