Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
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on-farm measurement and improved land assessment techniques
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modern genetic improvement techniques, and
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a participatory process that engages all land managers.
Farm forestry, new agricultural production systems and restoration of native
vegetation
We have discussed the opportunities provided by farm forestry, new agricul-
tural production systems, and restoring native vegetation to present opportu-
nities to restructure the landscape with vegetation that has a water-use pattern
similar to that of the original native vegetation, and the potential to substan-
tially ameliorate existing and impending problems. The possibility of imple-
menting this type of solution is increasing. The expansion of forestry on
cleared agricultural land is becoming more attractive in higher rainfall zones.
Commercial prospects for traditional grazing are poor, while market prospects
for expanding plantation forestry appear to be improving. In addition, there is
increasing interest in using the ability of trees to sequester carbon as a means
of meeting greenhouse commitments. Farm forestry and agro-forestry for the
mid to lower rainfall zones appear to offer attractive options, although a great
deal more work in building these new industries is needed.
The use of native flora and fauna may form an increasing part of rural
production. Bush foods, native wildflowers, and essential and other oils for
pharmaceutical or industrial chemicals are receiving increasing attention.
Such diversification in farming enterprises will increase the planting of
native vegetation and expand production on those parts of the landscape
suited to high-value crops and pastures.
The Redesigning Agriculture for Australian Landscapes Research and
Development Program, a joint initiative of Land and Water Australia and
CSIRO, is researching how agricultural systems can be redesigned to address
a range of sustainability issues. This approach has potential to be applied
through:
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selection and plant breeding - for commercial crops, pastures and
native plants to manipulate phenology, canopy development, rooting
function, distribution and temperature response, and
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rotating, and mixing in space and time, innovative configurations of
plants involving crops, pastures, forest and horticultural trees, native
plants, bush foods, etc. in alleys, blocks, windbreaks and clusters,
over rotations of months or years.
