bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A survey of the regeneration of some problem shrubs and trees after wildfire in western New South Wales.
Authors: Wilson AD , Mulham WE
Published: December 2005

The regeneration of several shrub and tree species in western New South Wales was recorded after widespread natural fires in the summer of 1974175. At 25 locations, plots were established in the wake of the fires and observations were recorded of the rue damage, the regrowth of the plants and post-fire seedling establishment. Interest was centred on species regarded as woody weeds. Fourteen months after the fires, the average survival of seven of the most common species was: Callitris columellaris (white cypress pine) 275, Acac~a aneura (mulga) 16%, Dodonaea attenuafa (narrow-leaved hopbush) 26%, Cassia eremophila var. platvpoda (punty) 48%, Acacia homalophylla (yarran) 87%, Eremophila mitchell~i (budda) 88% and Eremophila sturtii (turpentine) 87%. These results are for plants whose leaves were totally scorched or burnt. For Dodonaea attenuafa and Cassia eremophila there was a large difference in recovery between locations, a difference which was not explicable in term of fire intensity or shrub size. Post-fue seedling establishment occurred with these two shrubs, particularly with D. attenuata, which had high seedling numbers on eight of the eleven locations.
Current Land Use in the Poplar Box (Eucalyptus Populnea) Lands.
Authors: Weston EJ , Thompson DF , Scott BJ
Published: December 2005

Poplar box (Eucalyptus populnee) woodlands mainly occuron duplex, clay and red earth soils between the 300 mm and
750 mm rainfall isohyets. The poplar box lands have been occupied for from 100 to 150 years and have been modified extensively
through tree felling, ringbarking, clearing, cultivation, burning and grazing by domestic livestock. The current land use is described
for six vegetation groups which together comprise the poplar box lands.
The eastern areas of the poplar box lands are mainly used for intensive agriculture based on wheat. barley and grain sorghum,
with small areas sown to c~ops of high water demand. Mixed farming involves dairying (in Queensland) and fat lambs (in New South
Wales) and broad-acre cereal and fodder cropping. Sheep and cattle grazing replace intensive crop production as the rainfall decreases.
In all areas used for cropping the stability and fertility of the soil are of paramount importance in maintainihg production.
The use of woodlands in areas of lower rainfall can lead to deterioration of the resource and to the encroachment of
woody native species into the grazing lands. Because cropping is unreliable the opportunity to use cultivation to control woody
regrowth is reduced.
In central areas much of the land can be sown to improved pastures, but in western areas diversification is limited by the low
rainfall and land use is restricted to grazing, initially only by sheep but now by sheep and cattle. Particularly in western New South
Wales the increase in unpalatable shrubs and the decrease in available forage has resulted in low stocking rates, and high grazing
pressure, making reclamation and pasture improvement difficult. In consequence many enterprises are becoming uneconomic.
Seasonal changes in the nutritive value of some native pasture species in North-western Australia.
Authors: Holm AM , Eliot GJ
Published: December 2005

The nutritive value of Astrebla elymoides, A. pectinata, Chrysopogon fallax, Iseilema vaginiflorum, Neptunia monosperma from black soil plains (BSP) pasture land; and Plectrachne pungens, Chrysopogon fallax, Sorghum plumosum, and Eriachne obtusa of curly spinifex-ribbon grass (CSRC;) pasture land, was assessed over the period October 1975 to October 1977 at the Fitzroy Pastoral Research Station, north Western Australia. Seasonal trends in crude protein, crude fibre. phosphorus. calcium and in vitro digestibility, together with some physiological parameters are described for each species.

BSP pastures were found to be higher in crude protein, lower in crude fibre and more digestible than CSRG pasture species. Crude protein contents of most BSP pasture species were sufficient for maintenance of cattle during the dry season while CSRG species were below maintenance All species were deficient in phosphorus over the dry season and some species were marginal to deficient over the wet season.
The nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of some pasture species in the Dichanthium-Eulalia Grasslands of North-West Queensland.
Authors: Hall TJ
Published: December 2005

The nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of tops of the most common species at one site on the Dichanthium fecundum. Eulalla fulva grasslands of north-west Queensland were determined. The eight major grasses were sampled between 13 and 16 times over three consecutive dry seasons and three times during the growing season. Selected minor grasses and forbs were sampled on 30 occasions in both seasons over six years. Chrysopogon fallax and Iseilema spp. declined in phosphorus concentration during the dry season while the other major grasses remained constant. The nitrogen concentration of these two grasses and of Astrebla elymoides, A. squarrosa, D. fecundum and Sorghum australiense declined while that of E. fulra and Aristida latifolia was constant during the dry season. Both species of Astrebla had the highest concentrations of the two nutrients. The minor gasses had highest nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in December at the start of the wet season and rapid declines in both nutrients occurred by March. These species were not intensively sampled during the dry season. The forbs had higher nutriant concentrations than grasses. The mean phosphorus concentration of major grasses in the dry season was highest (0.095%) in 1973 and lowest (0.065%) in 1974 following an abnormally wet summer. There was no difference in mean nitrogen concentration between years. It was 0.61% for the three dry seasons combined. The implications of these data for animal production are discussed.
The Mallen Niche Seeder for Plant Establishment on Difficult Sites.
Authors: Malcolm CV , Allen RJ
Published: December 2005

The Mallen Niche Seeder, is designed for establishinz salt tolerant forage shrubs on saline soils. In one operation the Seeder makes a furrow and bank, presses a V-shaped niche on the bank and deposits seeds covered with mulch and/or sprayed with latex or bitumen emulsion at intervals in the niche. Field trials indicate that the Seeder has application for saline soils in the agricultural and pastoral areas.
A computer program for use in sheep enterprise decision making.
Authors: Gardiner HG , Shackleton KR
Published: December 2005

The profitability and long term viability of any business enterprise depends on careful, well thought out, long term planning. The pastoral industry is no exception and management decisions need to be based on the long term as well as short term advantages and disadvantages of any parficular strategy. Examination of the long term effects of management decisions has always been difficult. Not only is the future uncertain but the necessary financial
and stock calculations are tedious, particularly if several strategies are considered.
A computer program, suitable for use on programmable calculators, has been designed with the specific aim of reducing the tedium of calculation. Emphasis in the design has been placed on flexibility and applicability to actual decsion making situations. The program, devised for use on the Hewlett Packard 41C calculator, is very similar in aim to the model reported by Barber (I 9801, which aimed 'to provide a tool for producers, extension workers and researchers that could be used anywhere from the office desk to the kitchen table'. A recent summary of enterprise
modelling work in 'Computers in Farming' (Department of Agriculture, Victoria 1980) indicates that most of the modelling work has been centred around larger, less portable micro-computers. The ease of operation, transportability and low cost of programmable calculators should make them a valuable tool for use on properties by managers.
owners, extension workers, bankers and stock agents. They will enable the manager quickly and accurately to assess the likely outcome of various management strategies.
Report of a Seminar on Practical Scrub Control Organised by the Broken Hill Branch of the Australian Rangeland Society.
Authors: Stanley RJ
Published: December 2005

The increase in unwanted woody plants in the poplar box (Eucalyptuspopulnea) lands of semi-arid eastern
Austlal~a, and the problems of the grazing industry caused by those plants, have been well documented in
prevmus Issues of this journal.
The increase in woody shrubs on sandy country west of the Darling River is a more recent occurrence. A
sernmar and field excursion on the subject was orgatused by the Broken Hill branch of the Austral~sn Rangeland
Soc~ety on 7-9-30 May, 1980. A summary and review of the proceedtngs to be published separately are presented
below.
Land management and its impact on water yield on the northern tablelands of New South Wales.
Authors: Wright PA
Published: December 2005

The extensive and radical change in pastoral land treatment and management which has taken place on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales since 1950 has greatly increased the demand on available water, and has at the same time affected the amount and rate of water run-off into streams and dams, and the nature and permanency of springs and streams. This has not only created problems of water scarcity on the Tablelands, but it has serious implications for the Darling River system, of which the Tablelands form a major source of supply, because of reduced run-off into headwater streams, and additional retention of water for livestock in larger, and an increased number of, farm dams. The onset of drought in 1980 precipitated an immediate and serious shortage of water for livestock and urban use. A recognition that this was partly man induced led to the establishment of a Water Management Research project, jointly sponsored by land users and the University of New England. In 1981-2 a detailed study was undertaken of a typical Tablelands area, the Severn River basin, to ascertain and quantify the effects of changed land management. The results of the study, its implications, and conclusions drawn from it are discussed.
The supplementary feeding of sheep consuming Mulga (Acacia aneura) with low levels of molasses and urea under field conditions.
Authors: Niven DR , Entwistle KW
Published: December 2005

Mature Merino wethers grazing mulga (Acacia aneura) in south-west Queensland were supplemented for 21 weeks with 50 or 100 g DM molasses day with or without 6 g urea day -' .Growth rates and clean fleece yields in the supplemented groups were higher (P < 0.05) than in unsupplemented controls. The control group lost liveweight during the experiment. Growth rates and clean fleece yields were higher (P < 0.05) in groups receiving 100 g DM molasses day -' than in the groups receiving 50 g DM molasses day-'. Provision of urea depressed (P <0.05) growth rates and clean fleece yields. Differences were not as evident when comparing clean wool production per unit area and fibre diameter: significant (P <0.05) differences only occurred between the two levels of molasses supplernentation. Fibre diameter was larger in each of three measure- ment periods and clean wool production per unit area was higher in the middle measurement period for groups receiving 100 g DM molasses day -' .
Defoliation and its effects on Enneapogon avenaceus and Cenchrus ciliaris populations during two summer growth periods in central Australian rangelands.
Authors: Bosch OJH , Dudzinski ML
Published: December 2005

The frequency and intensity of defoliation on Enneapogon avenaceus (oat grass) and Cenchrus ciliaris (buffel grass) populations under various grazing pressures were studied during two summer gowth periods. The effects of defoliation on seed head production and long term productivity were also investigated. The degree to which cattle concentrated on E. avenaceus is directly related to the available E. a~,enacetrs biomass. In contrast, the degree of concentration on C. ciliaris populations is not only a function of the availability of C. ciliaris biomass, but also of the available palatable ephemeral biomass. Highest seed head production for both species came from ungrazed and lightly-defoliated plants. Sufficient seed replenishment for continued persistence of E. avenaceus populations was obtained when more than 60% of the plants in the population were ungrazed or only Lightly-defoliated. In this study continued dry matter production of C. ciliaris populations was not affected by defoliation. Longer term investi- gations are needed to define defoliation thresholds for the management of this species. Perennial C. ciliaris plants in open woodland communities nre important for the persistence of the shortlived E. aal'crracects popu- lations. Cattle concentrated more on C. ciliaris than on E. avenaceus plants during the fu~t two weeks of a growth period, which allowed the latter to grow and even to start producing seed before cattle concentrate on them.
Observer differences in transect counts, cover estimates and plant size measurements on range monitoring sites in an arid shrubland.
Authors: Holm AM , Curry PJ , Wallace JF
Published: December 2005

A field trial was held to test between-observer differences in recording counts and measurements made at range monitoring sites in grazed shrublands near Carnarvon, Western Australia. Ten pairs of observers worked independently to count perennials by species, t o measure major and minor axes of marked shrubs and to estimate foliar cover on fixed transects within three shrub communities.

Following simple conventions, observers identified and counted shrubs by species with coefficients of variation (C.V.) < 10%, except where species identification or inconspicuousness of young plants led to particular difficulty. Errors incurred by a rapid field technique for shrub measurement averaged 5-9% C.V. for the major axes dimensions on a range of shrub forms, while the recording of second axis diameters was subject to two to three times as much error. Estimations of total projected foliar cover varied by 25% C.V. using a wheel point technique and by 30% using intercepts on line transects. Estimations of cover by species were more variable.

The significance of these findings in planning appropriate techniques for monitoring arid shrublands is discussed.
Studying pastoral property management in the arid zone.
Authors: Gibbs M
Published: December 2005

The study of pastoral property management in the arid zone is important, but fraught with problems. In 1980, 30 managers in the North-East Pastoral Region of South Australia were surveyed. This paper identifies the human and social factors found to be related to some of the structural and managerial variables measured in the survey. Several of the more important problems associated with studying pastoral property management are noted, and one possible method of overcoming them described.
Dynamics of Perennial Plants in the Mulga (Acacia aneura F. Muell) Zone of Western Australia. I. Rates of Population Change.
Authors: Gardiner HG
Published: December 2005

The dynamics of populations of six plant species and their responses to environmental factors were examined at Yeelirrie station in the Mulga Zone rangelands of Western Australia. Populations of plants were sampled using sequential maps drawn from low level aerial photographs of areas from which livestock had been removed and which were fenced either to exclude or permit grazing by kangaroos (Macropus rufus Desmarest and Macropus robustus Gould).
All six plant species were favoured by the combination of wet years (1973-76) and the removal of livestock from these arid rangelands. Increases ranged from about 20 plants/ha/yr (Eremophila leucophylla, Benth.) to more than 700 plants/ha/yr (Eremophila spectabilis, C.A. Gardn.) during this period.
Drought (1977-1979) resulted in significant declines that ranged from about 10 plants/ha/yr (Eremophila leucophylla) to nearly 600 plants/ha/yr (Eremophila spectabilis) while three species (Eremophila leucophylla, Maireana glomerifolia, (F. Muell. et Tate) P.G. Wilson and Ptilotus obovatus, Gaud.) either did not change or increased by only 30 to 60 plants/ha/yr during this period.
Responses to kangaroo grazing were strongest during 'normal', post-drought years (1980-82) when Eragrostis xerophila, Domin. decreased by 178 plants/ha/yr on grazed areas while on protected areas there was an increase of 299 plants/ha/yr. This response was due to effects on both recruitment and, as discussed by Gardiner (1986), survival. Maireana glomerifolia, another important plant for livestock was suppressed by kangaroo grazing via reduced recruitment during the 'normal' period. Other species (Frankenia paucifora, DC. and Eremophila spectabilis) responded positively to kangaroo grazing activity during the same period.
Cattle Mustering Efficiency Using Helicopters in a Monsoonal Savanna Woodland.
Authors: McCosker TH , Eggington AR
Published: December 2005

This survey examined the long term effects of regular helicopter use on cattle tractability and provided herd management information
on mustering rate and efficiency in a tropical savanna woodland environment. Ten individual herds of high grade Bos indicus breeders were
mustered from four to eleven times over a four year period as part of a supplementation experiment conducted on "Mount Bundey" station.
Paddock size ranged from 744 to 2,224 ha.
Mean annual mustering efficiency (proportion mustered) was 71% (64-85%), 92% (83-99%), 96% (92-100%) and 94% (78-98%)
for bulls, calves, steers and breeders respectively. Paddocks were totally clean of all animal classes in 25% of musters. Helicopter mustering
of breeders and steers in the last three years of the study was 12 percentage points more efficient than horse mustering (assisted by a spotter
plane) in the first year. Mustering rate in April-May averaged 69 beasts/hour while the August/September round averaged 102 beastdhour.
Mustering efficiency did not differ between April-May and August-September musters. Helicopter mustering did not adversely affect tractability
of the cattle when carried out in conjuntion with horsemen. The data indicate that 100% clean musters could not be routinely achieved
in this monsoonal woodland savanna. even under relativelv intensive conditions. This conflicts with current BTEC requirements and hinders
animal husbandry practices.
Analysis of historical records of a grazing property in south-western Queensland. 1. Aspects of the patterns of development and productivity.
Authors: Oxley RE
Published: December 2005

This article examines historical records of a grazing property in south-westem Queensland to analyse various aspects of station improvements, pasture and sheep productivity. The drought at about the turn of the century was the catalyst that led to a permanent loss of pasture and canying capacity. Competition from rabbits and the full utilisation of grazing land by about 1914 exacerbated the situation. The station was able to cope with early localised degradation because new land was constantly becoming available due to improvements in fencing and stock watering facilities. Summer rainfall was of utmost importance in providing sufficient perennial grass for the maintenance of stock numbers. Annual sheep losses and average fleece weights were highly correlated with the amount of summer rainfall. A high lambing percentage was dependent on good seasonal conditions-over the 18 months.
Alternative turnoff strategies for Kimberley beef cattle. 1. Live animal performance and carcass characteristics.
Authors: Ryan WJ , Pratchett D , McIntyre BL
Published: December 2005

In June 1980, 190 Kimberley Shorthorn steers from five properties in the Kimberley were divided into three age categories. Half were sent to Chapman Research Station (CRS) in the agricultural area of Western Australia and the remainder stayed at Ord Regeneration Research Station (ORRS) in the Kimberley. Animals in both locations grazed for either one or two pasture growing seasons and a third group was fed a concentrate ration based on grain after the first growing season. Cattle lost between 20-30 kg in handling and transport south which, together with the reduced initial grazing season, led to gains of only 50 kg while those in the north gained around 100 kg. In the second grazing season at both locations animals gained around 140 kg. Animals at ORRS laid down more fat than those at CRS. Animals fed on concentrate rations in the agricultural area grew significantly faster, but had poorer food conversion and were leaner compared with those fed in the Kimberley.
Factors contributing to differences in forage yield in the semi-arid woodlands.
Authors: Wilson AD , Tongway DJ , Tupper GJ
Published: December 2005

A series of experimental sites, which were all on the same land unit but differed in present condition, were established in the semi-arid woodlands near Cobar, N.S.W. The forage yield on these plots was measured quarterly over a two year period. Associated measurements were made of species composition, forage quality, shrub and tree cover, area of eroded surface and soil fertility (available phosphorus, organic carbon, organic nitrogen and available nitrogen). Mean forage yield varied from 34 to 237 kgha. A major proportion of this variation was explained by total shrub and tree cover, organic nitrogen and organic carbon in the surface soil. Differences in nitrogen were considered to have arisen by differential erosion, but this was more accurately characterized by laboratory measures than by field observations of the extent of soil erosion. Some differences were recorded in the composition of the herbaceous layer between plots, including a dominance of perennial grasses on plots that had been exclosed from grazing. However, nearly all species were edible so that composition differences were not a major contributor to variation in digestible forage yield. Perennial forbs (e.g. Sclerolaena diacantha) had the highest digestibility and biennial grasses (e.g. Stipa variabilis) the lowest. Total shrub and tree cover and the extent and severity of erosion are recommended as the most useful variables for monitoring changes in pastoral productivity of the semi-arid woodlands.
The economics of prescribed burning for shrub control in the semi-arid woodlands of north-west New South Wales.
Authors: Burgess DMN
Published: December 2005

Costs and benefits of prescribed buming for shrub control in a representative 2000 ha paddock are estimated, based on anecdotal and survey data collected from graziers in the Western Division. For a hypothetical paddock, two bums were assumed to take place during the space of seven years. Costs include those for constructing firebreaks and controlling the fire. In particular circumstances, income from grazing may be foregone when "spelling" the paddock prior to the bum, and also after the bum until rainfall has induced the regrowth and seeding of pasture. Benefits from prescribed buming include increased livestock production, primarily through higher lamb weaning percentages and wool cuts from the self-replacing Merino flock, reduced mustering time and improved surveillance of livestock, resulting in better control of pests such as blowflies, lice, feral pigs and foxes. Capital value of the land is also improved. Cash flows over a 20 year period indicate that prescribed burning for shrub control is profitable. Despite this, users should carefully assess the maximum area that property cash flows will allow for setting aside to bum when an appropriate season allows.
Expert advice for shrub control.
Authors: Ludwig JA
Published: December 2005

SHRUBKILL is a microcomputer based decision-support system which provides expert advice on the use of fie to control non-desirable shrubs and thus improve grazing potential in the semi-arid woodlands of eastem Australia. Pescribed fire is argued to be the only economically viable management option for broad-scale shrub control in these rangelands. Management decisions about "when" and "how" to bum and the cost and expected economic benefit of buming involve answering many difficult questions which can be aided by the advice of experts. However, these experts are not always available to give on-the-spot advice to managers. SHRUBKILL is a decision-support system that has incorporated the knowledge of fire-experts in an easy-to-use microcomputer program to: advise the user on what the "expert" would have recommended; provide detailed information supporting the expert's recommendation; and give summaries of the consultation. SHRUBKILL was written in BASIC on an IBM Personal Computer but it will run on IBMPC compatibles.
Consumption of dingo baits by non-target fauna from the pastoral areas of Western Australia.
Authors: Eastman A , Calver MC
Published: December 2005

Consumption of wild dog baits made from beef crackle by the native mammal species Pseudomys hermanmbwgensis, P. delicatulus and Zyzomys argurus, (Rodentia), and Dasyurus hallucatus, Ningaui timealeyi, Planigale maculata and Sminthopsis macroura (Dasyuridae) was determined in the laboratory. Dasyurus.hal1ucatus and all three rodents were also exposed to baits made from meat. In the presence of alternative food only P. hermannsburgensis and D. hallucatus ate non-toxic wild dog baits. Their projected dose rates if the baits had been poisoned ranged from 25 mgkg to 40 mgkg (P. hermannsburgenris) and 0.32 mgkg to 9.70 mgkg (D. hallucatus). Non-toxic meat bait was also eaten by D. hallucatus and the projected dose rates ranged from 0.18 mgkg to 1.25 mgkg. All the rodents ate toxic meat bait in the presence of alternative food, but showed no symptoms of poisoning.
Examination of risk and stocking rate decisions in the Mulga lands using simulation.
Authors: Meppem AJ , Johnston PW
Published: December 2005

A simulation model of a grazing enterprise was used to examine the economic risk associated with stocking rate decisions in the mulga lands. The model used historical daily rainfall records for Charleville (1890 - 1984) as input for determining annual pasture production. Stocking rates were set each year at the end of summer to utilize a portion of the available forage. Gross margins were determined for a total of six levels of pasture utilization (20% to 80%).

The simulation results support the hypothesis that higher levels of pasture utilization lead to consistently lower pasture yields, and greater variability in income (high risk). To reduce risk, this simulation study suggests a more conservative use of the pasture.

Optimum levels of pasture use therefore need to be determined; both from an individual graziers requirement to meet short term needs, and society's preference for long tern conservation of the pasture resource. This requires the ability to identify the direct benefits and costs of different levels of pasture use. This study has indicated the value of simulation in examining these costs and benefits.
Intake of lick block supplements by cattle grazing native monsoonal tallgrass pastures in the Northern Territory.
Authors: Eggington AR , McCosker TH , Graham CA
Published: December 2005

Four supplementation treatments to investigate wet seasons responses were imposed on eight Brahman/Shorthom cross herds totalling 870 animals of all classes (cows and calves, bulls, heifers and steers). They grazed 12,300 ha of native pasture in the Darwin district of the Northern Territory. The treatments were: (i) control (no wet season supplement), (ii) Mineral (Ultraphos - supplementation with 13 minerals during the wet season), (iii) +Protein (Ultrapro-50 - the same 13 minerals plus non-protein nitrogen (WN) and true protein over the wet season), and (iv) Strategic (strategic use of salt, mineral and hTN supplements over the early wet, mid wet and late wet seasons respectively). All treatments received an hTN plus mineral supplement (Uramol) during the dry season. Supplement intakes by the herds were measured monthly for three years. Intake of Salt, Ultraphos and Ultrapro-50 supplements averaged 43, 124 and 149 g/animal/day respectively during the three wet seasons. Losses of the molasses-based block formulations due to rain were small (7%) during the wet season. However, up to one third of each pure salt block was eroded. Intake of Uramol during the three dry seasons averaged 182 g/animal/day across all herds. No urea toxicity problems were noticed over the three years of the supplement programme, despite high intakes during the dry season. All animals consumed some supplement. However, levels of supplement intake: (i) increased with the seasonal decrease in native pasture quality, (ii) decreased with an increase in proportion of paddock burnt, (iii) varied between animal classes, with lactating cows consuming 64% more supplement than non-lactating cows in two of the three years, and (iv) varied between individuals within classes. Individual intake varied widely (from 10 to 835 glanirnallday for lactating cows) with no significant correlation between individual intake and the pregnancy rate or average daily liveweight gain.
The population dynamics of perennial chenopod shrubs in semi-arid western New South Wales.
Authors: Eldridge DJ
Published: December 2005

This thesis deals with some aspects of the population ecology of arid zone perennial chenopod shrubs. It examined the effects of grazing on the population dynamics of Atriplex vesicaria, Maireana astrotricha and Maireana pyramidata, the influence of weather on recruitment and survival of Atriplex vesicaria and the effects of various microtopographical features on seedling survival of Atriplex vesicaria.
Principles of restoration ecology relevant to degraded rangelands.
Authors: Werner PA
Published: December 2005

The main task of rangeland restoration seems to be one of repair, or reassembly, of damaged landscapes and biota, but in fact, managers
and scientists must assemble entirely new communities of plants and animals. The goals of particular restoration projects vary greatly,
although they often contain the same set of potentially incompatible qualities, that is, the new community may be required to be selfsustaining,
stable, minimally disruptive to native biota, and yet produce a high yield of introduced animals.
Ecological principals, theories, paradigms, and current ideas which may be usefully applied to restoration projects are discussed, as well
as a general protocol to use in conducting restorations. Mychomzae (special fungi on plant roots), natural seed banks in the soil, and
colonizing abilities of plants are important considerations in the establishment of vegetation. Understanding the behaviour of species
and species interactions is necessary (but not sufficient) in order to formulate 'rules' for constructing communities of plants and animals
which would be self-sustaining, stable, minimally disruptive to native biota, and yet produce a high yield of an introduced animal.
Knowledge of succession, ecosystem processes, and the importance of spatial relationships of food and habitat for animals are all
potentially applicable to restoration of rangelands.
The application of ecological principles to restoration work has the advantages of efficiency of trials, generality of results, and an
enhanced public image. In return, restoration work is the acid test of ecological science, that is, whether it provides the knowledge and
understanding to recreate a new, functional, stable community. It also provides scientists with the opportunity to conduct large-scale and
long-term tests of ecological theory, impossible in most other research projects.
An economic framework for the evaluation of rangeland restoration projects.
Authors: Macleod ND , Johnston BG
Published: December 2005

Statements concerning rangeland degradation and restoration issues are often supported by technically oriented evaluations, with limited consideration of the economic implications of resource conservation or rehabilitation. In the few cases where an attempt has been made to incorporate economic elements into analyses, some shortcomings have been evident in the methodology adopted. This has sometimes produced misleading results, and has made comparisons of different restoration technologies difficult. This paper examines several issues that are important in obtaining an economic perspective on the restoration of degraded rangelands. The formal procedure of benefit-cost analysis is presented as a rational framework for the economic evaluation of such activities. The framework is applied, via a case study approach, to examine the private economic value of several technologies for rangeland restoration. However, because the analysis is based on limited data, the conclusion is indicative rather than definitive. Issues relevant to the extension of the analysis to encompass social evaluations of rangeland restoration management are canvassed.
Property Size and Rangeland Degradation in the Queensland Mulga Rangelands.
Authors: Passmore JGI , Brown CG
Published: December 2005

Small property size is often cited as one of the major causes of rangeland degradation in Australia.
However, there is some conjecture as to the importance of this effect and the process by which small
property sizes lead to rangeland degradation. Relatively little empirical analysis of these issues has
been undertaken, especially in a dynamic context which is all important in the case of rangeland
degradation.
Regression and dynamic programming techniques are employed in this study to investigate and measure
the impact of property sizes on the use and state of one of Australia's most important rangelands, the
Queensland mulga rangeland. Regression analysis of cross sectional data reveals significant
correlations between property size, stocking rate and degradation. These correlations are confirmed in a
normative stochastic dynamic programming model which demonstrates that it is economically optimal
for graziers managing smaller properties to adopt higher stocking rates. For these graziers, the
longterm costs of land degradation are exceeded by short-term financial benefits of heavier stocking.
Thus government policy aimed at arresting the serious degradation occurring in the mulga rangelands
should focus on measures to facilitate property build-up..
The original mammal fauna and some information on the original bird fauna of Uluru National Park, Northern Territory.
Authors: Baynes A , Baird RF
Published: December 2005

Investigation of mammal bones, accumulated mainly by owls, from four cave deposits, combined with observations and museum records, has revealed an original (i.e. immediately pre-European) fauna for Uluru National Park (UNP) of 34 species of native ground mammals and 12 species of bats. This fauna comprises one monotreme, 22 marsupials from eight families, 12 microchiropterans from four families, 10 murid rodents and the dingo. For six of the species the UNP records represent an extension of range over published distribution maps, though originally all the ground mammals were probably widespread in the arid zone. A recent survey found that the present fauna of UNP includes 15 native ground mammals and a minimum of seven bats, indicating a loss in about the last century of up to 19 species of ground mammals and at least one bat. The local status of three of these is uncertain, 10 appear to be locally extinct, two are extinct throughout the Australian mainland and five are probably totally extinct. As elsewhere in the arid zone, the mammals that survive are the largest and smallest species and the echidna. The cave deposit sites yielded two orders of magnitude fewer bird remains, some of which could not be identified below family or genus. The material includes at least 16 species representing 13 families. All identified species were recorded in the present fauna of UNP by the recent survey. This relatively small sample suggests that in non-pastoral areas of the arid zone, bird faunas, unlike mammals, have so far survived European colonisation of Australia without loss of diversity.
Multiple Use and Nature Conservation in South Australia's Arid Zone.
Authors: Cohen B
Published: December 2005

Public interest in the arid zone has led to a huge expansion of South Australia's arid conservation reserve system since the early 1980s. As the arid reserve system expanded, there was accommodation of other land users under existing legislation. Other uses are tourism and recreation, exploration and mining, Aboriginal land uses and grazing. Expansion of the reserve system into the State's rangelands and into the oil and gas rich Cooper Basin led to the designation of a new reserve category, known as the Regional Reserve, which explicitly affords resource exploitation a place alongside conservation. The multiple use concept has allowed some key areas to be brought into South Australia's reserve system with relative ease. Innamincka was the first Regional Reserve and, to date, is the most complex of the multiple use reserves; tourism, petroleum exploration and production, and grazing take place in it. The multiple use concept assumes that more than one use can be managed in space and time without significant detriment to conservation values. It implies an acceptance of human-induced changes to natural systems, but does not resolve concerns about the acceptable limits to change. The question of who bears the cost of management and monitoring of multiple use reserves remains unresolved. There is an opportunity for conservation objectives to play a more central role in the management of arid lands which fall outside the reserve system. Careful, conservative management regimes in multiple use reserves will greatly increase the chances of a favourable outcome for nature conservation.
Nature Conservation in Rangelands: Lessons From Research on Reserve Selection in New South Wales.
Authors: Pressey RL
Published: December 2005

Information on the features to be protected in a system of conservation reserves is an obvious requirement. The quality of the data base will primarily determine the effectiveness of conservation planning in protecting the full range of natural features in a region. However, the way in which data are used to make decisions on the locations of protected areas is also critical. Rigorous procedures for reserve selection can make the difference between achieving reservation goals or not. Research on reserve selection in New South Wales over recent years has concerned both data bases and procedures for guiding decisions. Reserve planning in many regions is based largely on some form of land classification like vegetation types or land systems. There are good reasons for using such land classes to guide the selection of reserves and to judge their representativeness. Nevertheless, they can have considerable limitations as a basis for protecting all the species in a region. These limitations are reviewed with references to more detailed discussions of particular issues. The paper also reviews a variety of procedures for selecting reserves which have been tested and applied in New South Wales. Some of the recent procedures are conceptually simple but very useful in identifying the requirements of reservation goals and demonstrating the options available to planners for representing particular features. Three principles are proposed which should underpin any attempt at systematic conservation planning.
Relationships Between Sheep Production, Stocking Rate and Rainfall on Commercial Sheep Properties in Western New South Wales.
Authors: Roshier DA , Barchia I
Published: December 2005

Historical sheep production and rainfall data from 14 properties in semi-arid western New South Wales were analysed for relationships between wool production, lamb marking percentage, stocking rate and rainfall. Twelve of the properties were located on predominantly chenopod shrubland (Atriplex spp. and Maireana spp.) and two on mulga (Acacia aneura) land types. The relationship between wool production per head (WOOLHD, kg greasylsheep) and rainfall (RF, mmlyear) was similar on 10 of the 11 properties with wool production and rainfall data. This was so despite differences in vegetation type and average stocking rate. The generality of this relationship suggests that wool production per head is largely determined by a common, rainfall related factor operating over a wide range of management regimes. Stocking rates did not have a significant effect on wool production per head on the majority of properties. Data from the above properties were combined to generate the following generalised equation: -29.43 - WOOLHD = 7.5 lexp RF R~ =35.72 (P<0.01) Wool production per hectare was largely determined by stocking rate on most properties. No consistent relationship between lamb marking percentage and when rain fell could be found. However, rainfall in the period between joining and lamb marking was significant on six properties. It is concluded that total wool production is largely determined by stock numbers. The data suggests animal productivity is more dependent on management responses to dry periods and the rate of change in forage availability in the absence of rain.
Changing Community Attitudes.
Authors: Ison RL
Published: December 2005

This paper argues the case for participative ecodesign as a means of conducting future rangeland research and development. To embark on this path it will be necessary for the rangeland science community to critically question traditions and myths which shape current practices. These include current conceptions of extension, "technology transfer", community and human communication. Research has shown that attitudes of rangeland decision-makers are rarely a constraint to dealing with issues of land degradation and management and technology "adoption". Attempts to change attitudes are likely to be of little value. A recognition of the unequal power relations implicit in traditional practice is a necessary precondition to the emergence of participative processes which reverse the history of subjection of grazier knowledge and values by institutionalised authority. A set of values and guiding principles are proposed for participative ecodesign. These include (i) reinterpreting our relationship with land; (ii) policy development based on citizen as opposed to individual values and (iii) acknowledging power in the design process.
Land Degradation Assessment in Central Australia Using a Grazing Gradient Method.
Authors: Bastin GN , Pickup G , Chewings VH , Pearce G
Published: December 2005

: how well are they structured? J. Am. Soc. Inform. Sci. 42(7), 528-31. Stmnk, W. and White, E.B. (1972). 'The elements of style'. Macmillan, New York, and Collier Macmillan. London. Manuscript received 1 March 1993, accepted 22 March 1993 Rangel. J. 15(2) 1993,190-216 LAND DEGRADATION ASSESSMENT IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA USING A GRAZING GRADIENT METHOD G.N. Bastin, G. Pickup, V.H. Chewings and G. Pearce CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, Centre for Arid Zone Research, PO Box 21 11, Alice Springs, NT 0871 Abstract Rangeland monitoring using ground-based methods has been fraught with difficulty because of the lack of accurate and repeatable techniques capable of separating grazing impact from both seasonal variability and natural landscape heterogeneity. The results presented here show how these problems can be overcome by analysing the entire grazed landscape using remotely-sensed data and 'grazing gradient' methods which separate grazing effects from natural variation. Land degradation is defined as 'a reduction in the capacity of landscapes to produce vegetation cover from rainfall'. After a period of grazing, vegetation cover typically decreases as water is approached producing a spatial pattern known as a grazing gradient. Vegetation increases across the whole landscape following rain and the extent of vegetation recovery in the vicinity of watering points . after significant rainfall is determined for each mapped land system. A 'percentage cover production loss' index is then derived allowing grazing management effects across land systems (and paddocks) to be compared. We report on the analysis of 38,000 krn2 of grazed country on all or parts of 16 pastoral leases. Land systems containing a high proportion of palatable forage have high index values and are most adversely affected by grazing. These land systems are frequently the most intensively stocked due to their original productivity. In some cases, parts of these land systems have also had a relatively long history of grazing. Some land systems of lower pastoral value show no gradient after rainfall but a pattern of decreasing cover with distance from water after a period of grazing. This is associated with an increase in cover of unpalatable shrubs. We advocate the use of grazing gradient methods which utilise remotely-sensed satellite data as an operational means of determining grazing impact in the arid rangelands. Our methods compare favourably with conventional ground-based monitoring in terms of cost and labour requirements. The remote sensing-based method is capable of providing comprehensive, objective and repeatable analysis of grazed country after future significant rainfalls. It also offers the significant additional advantage of immediate information about landscape condition through the analysis of archived remotely-sensed data.
Judging Range Trend: Interpretation of Rangeland Monitoring Data Drawn From Sites in the Western Australian Shrublands.
Authors: Burnside DG , Faithfull E
Published: December 2005

Although objective monitoring of range trend is underway in most states in Australia, there has been inadequate attention paid to the interpretation and application of this information to management. Given the absence of rules for the assessment of monitoring data in Australia, subjective interpretation is the current option for pastoralists and other land management decision makers in applying the data to management. An approach developed within Social Judgement Theory was used to investigate the judgements made by four pastoralists and one adviser, about range trend using the information provided by WARMS (Western Australian Range Monitoring System). This was done using a series of questions relating to the interpretation of the monitoring data. We found a relatively low level of reliability and consistency in the judgements made by pastoralists. This is to be expected given the unfamiliarity of the task. One pastoralist and the adviser showed moderate to high reliability and consistency. There was variation between all the subjects in the monitoring attributes which contributed significantly to the range trend judgement, with some systematic differences occurring between the adviser and the pastoralists in the use of the information. Recommendations are made which will facilitate easier and more consistent interpretation of the monitoring data, and enable movement toward a shared understanding between pastoralists, researchers and extension personnel of how to interpret range monitoring data.