Techniques for revegetation of acid sulfate soil scalds in the coastal floodplains of New South Wales, Australia: ridging, mulching and liming in the absence of stock grazing

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (12) ◽  
pp. 1589 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Rosicky ◽  
P. Slavich ◽  
L. A. Sullivan ◽  
M. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Acid Sulfate Soil ◽  
Acid Sulfate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Vegetation Species

Two revegetation field trials were undertaken on chronically bare acid sulfate soil scalds on grazing properties in the Hawkesbury and Macleay catchments of New South Wales, Australia. The aim was to test the effectiveness of various low cost and readily accessible techniques to encourage revegetation (via existing seedbank or surrounding vegetation) of the scalded sites. The trial at the more efficiently drained Hawkesbury site used a combined treatment of ridging (R), mulching (M) and liming (L) (i.e. R–M–L) compared with a control, within a fenced area. At the more waterlogged Macleay site, various elements of the combined treatment (i.e. R, M, R–M, R–L, R–M–L) were compared with a control, within a fenced area. Vegetation occurrence, biomass and species were tested, along with pertinent soil parameters (pH, salinity, soil moisture, soluble metals). Soil testing was undertaken at 2 depth levels to represent the seed germination zone (0–1 cm), and the potential root zone (1–10 cm). At the Hawkesbury site, the combined treatment (R–M–L) caused significantly greater vegetation occurrence and biomass, lower salinity, higher pH and increased soil moisture. At the Macleay site, results were more variable, but similar to the Hawkesbury trial as the site dried out. Mulching was the single most important treatment. All mulched sites had significantly more vegetation than the control, reaching 100% coverage in the R–M–L plots. Stock exclusion alone produced minimal results. Ridging alone was counterproductive. Liming without mulching caused proliferation of an insubstantial and transient vegetation species (Isolepis inundata). Most interesting was the different vegetation species encouraged by the different mulch treatments: treatment M was dominated by the sedge, Eleocharis acuta; treatment R–M was an even mix of Eleocharis acuta and native water-tolerant grasses (Paspalum distichum and Pseudoraphis paradoxa); treatment R–M–L was dominated by the aforementioned native grasses. These grasses are highly favoured for both economic (highly palatable to stock) and environmental (thick mulch cover, self seeding) objectives. The results demonstrate that revegetation of acid sulfate soil scalds is possible, and different treatments can influence vegetation species composition.

Factors contributing to the acid sulfate soil scalding process in the coastal floodplains of New South Wales, Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Rosicky ◽  
Leigh A. Sullivan ◽  
Peter G. Slavich ◽  
Mike Hughes
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Pyrite Oxidation ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Soil Core ◽  
Acid Sulfate Soil ◽  
Vegetative Cover ◽  
Acid Sulfate ◽  
South Wales

Acid sulfate soil (ASS) scalds are persistently bare areas of land, occurring in the coastal backswamps of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. This study aims to understand why particular areas become ASS scalds, while adjacent areas remain vegetated. Some important soil parameters are compared and field observations are summarised. Soil core sampling in both ASS-scalded land and surrounding areas of permanently vegetated paddocks has demonstrated similar pyrite concentrations and depth occurrence, soil salinity, and soil acidity (pH). As conditions are similar beneath both vegetated and non-vegetated land, there must be some additional factors influencing which areas become denuded. Several disparate (usually human-induced) events were found to cause initial loss of vegetative cover. Once the soil is bare, surface evaporation causes toxic solutes to build up quickly at the soil surface and ASS scalding is perpetuated. Some of the intervening events include fire, flood, flood-scouring, deliberate topsoil removal, surface pyrite oxidation, saltwater inundation of freshwater paddocks, saltwater exclusion from saltmarsh or mangroves, changes to the vegetation regimes, excessive vehicular traffic, and over-grazing. Backswamp management needs to ensure that land underlain by shallow pyritic layers (or with soil-water that is enriched with the toxic by-products of pyrite oxidation) is not laid bare by accident or design. Similar soil chemical conditions underlying both ASS scalds and the surrounding permanently vegetated paddocks suggest that much larger areas are potentially at risk of ASS scalding.

Soil properties in and around acid sulfate soil scalds in the coastal floodplains of New South Wales, Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Rosicky ◽  
Leigh A. Sullivan ◽  
Peter G. Slavich ◽  
Mike Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Sulfur Content ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Acid Sulfate Soil ◽  
Acid Sulfate ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
South Wales

Soil profiles in 10 persistently bare areas (i.e. scalds), mainly located in coastal backswamps of New South Wales, Australia, were examined for chromium-reducible sulfur content and selected chemical properties. At 5 of the sites, the adjacent paddocks with vegetation cover were also examined. All of the tested sites had been affected by the extensive drainage of the surrounding acid sulfate soil (ASS) landscapes and the consequent oxidation of pyrite. All sites had low pH values in the surface soil layers and these low pH values extended for up to 150 cm into the underlying unoxidised blue/grey pyritic estuarine gels. This can be attributed to the downward diffusion of acidity, either produced in the overlying oxidised zones of these soils or transported laterally across the landscape to these low-lying areas. Acidified unoxidised pyritic zones 120 cm thick can evidently form within several decades after drainage disturbance. At the scalded sites the depth from the soil surface to the main pyritic zone varied from the surface to >200 cm depth, indicating that this variable is not critical to ASS scald formation. For most of the sites examined, the chromium-reducible sulfur contents in the surface soil layers were appreciably higher than those in the immediately underlying soil layers. In most of the vegetated sites the chromium-reducible sulfur content in the surface layers was considerably higher than for the adjacent scalded site. The conditions necessary for pyrite formation (i.e. adequate supplies of organic matter, soluble iron, sulfate, and waterlogging) were found to exist at all sites, and the pyrite accumulations in these surface soil layers are considered to be neo-formed. The vegetated soil-profile pyrite and pH results were very similar to their scalded counterparts except that they had an extra 20–40 cm layer of vegetation and mulch that was missing from the scalded profiles. This indicates that there is considerable potential for more extensive scalding in these ASS areas.

Surface and sub-surface salinity in and around acid sulfate soil scalds in the coastal floodplains of New South Wales, Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Rosicky ◽  
Peter Slavich ◽  
Leigh A. Sullivan ◽  
Mike Hughes
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Pyrite Oxidation ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Acid Sulfate Soil ◽  
Surface Salinity ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Acid Sulfate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Land Denudation

Two-metre-deep soil profiles at 10 acid sulfate soil (ASS) scalds along the coast of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, were examined for salinity indicators. At 5 of the sites, permanently vegetated areas adjacent to the ASS-scalded land were also tested. Throughout the profiles, most sites had high soluble chloride (Cl−) concentrations (≤17 mg/g soil) and high soluble sulfate (SO42−) concentrations (≤17 mg/g soil). Very low Cl− : SO42− ratios (≤3) indicated active pyrite oxidation. Soil salinity (measured as electrical conductivity, EC) was extremely high in the top 2 m of most of the ASS scalds when related to the growth requirements of the typical introduced pasture species that were planted in these areas following drainage. This allows salinity, in addition to the extremely low pH of the surface soils, to contribute to land denudation, which can instigate or perpetuate pyrite oxidation and ASS-related land scalding. Although the sites had shallow watertables and soil-moisture content was high, the surface soil (top 0.10 m) of the scalds had consistently higher soluble Cl− and SO42− concentrations and EC than adjacent vegetated areas. All coastal ASS areas investigated, typically freshwater backswamps used for cattle grazing, were underlain by estuarine-derived sediments containing saline ground water. The results demonstrate that revegetation of ASS scalds must include investigation and management of salinity, in addition to acidity, within the soil profile and at the soil surface.

scholarly journals Acid sulfate soils and acid drainage, Lower Shoalhaven floodplain, New South Wales

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
M I Pease ◽  
A G Nethery ◽  
A R. M Young
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Acid Sulfate Soils ◽  
Acid Sulfate ◽  
Acid Drainage ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sulfate Soils

Surface flux and vertical profile of dimethyl sulfide in acid sulfate soils at Cudgen Lake, northern New South Wales, Australia

Chemosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 228 ◽  
pp. 309-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilton B. Swan ◽  
Elisabeth S.M. Deschaseaux ◽  
Bradley D. Eyre ◽  
Graham B. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Profile ◽  
Dimethyl Sulfide ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Surface Flux ◽  
Acid Sulfate Soils ◽  
Acid Sulfate ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sulfate Soils

The role of stolons and seedlings in the persistence and production of white clover (Trifolium repens L. cv. Huia) in temperate pastures on the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 605 ◽  
Author(s):  
KA Archer ◽  
GG Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Seedling Establishment ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cool Temperate ◽  
Plant Frequency ◽  
Temperate Pastures

This paper reports the findings of a five-year study on the growth patterns, production and means of persistence of white clover in a cool temperate environment with summer dominant rainfall, on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. White clover essentially persisted as a perennial, but large and rapid declines in plant frequency occurred during late summer if soil moisture levels became depleted. The critical combination of conditions at which plant frequency was adversely affected occurred when available soil moisture levels declined below 35 mm and mean weekly maximum temperatures exceeded 20�C; conditions which often occur in late summer in this environment. During one prolonged period of moisture stress in the second spring and summer period of the study, all plants died. Regeneration was due to germination of seeds and seedling establishment, but plants subsequently persisted as perennials. Relationships were developed to predict the probability of survival of white clover over the range of temperatures and soil moistures recorded in these experiments. Germination occurred to a variable extent each year, but was observed only during winter and spring. Seedling establishment was effective in only one year, which followed the death of white clover in summer, 1980-81. The sward was slow to recover after seedling regeneration owing to low winter temperatures and competition from established temperate perennial grasses in spring. Seedlings contributed little to dry matter production in spring. These results indicate that white clover is unlikely to be of value as an annual in temperate pastures. Strategies aimed at improving white clover in cool temperate environments, either by management or selection/breeding programs, should therefore focus upon improving the ability of white clover to persist as a perennial.

Some investigations into soil and vegetation relationships associated with alkaline-saline soil surfaces in the Walcha area, Northern Tablelands, New South Wales

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
KH Kreeb ◽  
RDB Whalley ◽  
JL Charley
Keyword(s):  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Alkali Cations ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wide Range

The characteristics of the soil, vegetation and groundwater at a dryland salinity site on Miramoona, a property near Walcha on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, were investigated. Soil parameters measured at 23 points along a 200 m transect were highly correlated with the pattern of vegetation. Of overriding significance was soil pH, which varied from a high of over 10 on bare areas delineated by Critesion marinum and Cynodon dactylon to a low of less than 5 on grazing land supporting the growth of a wide range of pasture species. The bare areas were characterized by alkalinity. While they were sodic at all depths measured, they were only marginally saline and then only at the soil surface. The chemical composition of the groundwater collected from three piezometer tubes varied quite markedly over the site. It is hypothesized that the presence of alkaline bare areas on the Northern Tablelands is not a new problem, but rather the natural result of alternating wet and dry periods which have induced accumulation of carbonates and bicarbonates of the alkali cations, notably sodium. Drainage of the original perched swamps by the early landholders, tree clearing and the grazing of domestic livestock would have accelerated the process since European settlement. However, tree planting would appear unlikely to have any impact on the reclamation process in the short term. A more viable option would be the recreation of the original swamps in suitable situations, although this solution would create problems for grazing management.

Differential habitat use by a local population of subadult common dunnarts, Sminthopsis murina, following wildfire in coastal wet heath, New South Wales, Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaughan Monamy ◽  
Barry J. Fox
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
New South ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Local Population ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
High Soil Moisture ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Unusual Occurrence ◽  
Habitat Fidelity

Little has been published about Sminthopsis murina, a small insectivorous marsupial encountered infrequently during trapping studies. Individuals favour vegetation associations found in recently burnt heathlands and forests; however, individuals rarely remain in such areas long enough for repeated capture. We report an unusual occurrence of habitat fidelity by a dense population of subadult S. murina in coastal wet heath, New South Wales, Australia. Individuals were captured repeatedly in the first 16 months following wildfire (30 subadults trapped 154 times: recapture rate = 80%). Densities peaked 10 months after fire at 3.75 individuals ha–1. More males than females were captured (23 males, 7 females). Habitat analyses revealed differential use of regenerating coastal wet heathland by S. murina. Significantly more captures were made in areas of high soil moisture in the first six months following fire. Captures then decreased in these areas but increased where soil moisture had been lower and where vegetation had been growing more slowly. Beyond the 1995/96 breeding season, regenerating vegetation became increasingly dense and less patchy and captures of S. murina ultimately declined to zero. This paper records a rare opportunity to examine habitat preferences of a single cohort of subadult S. murina. Habitat use may have been determined by the presence of a narrow range of vegetation structure.

Correction - Use of a soil moisture model and risk analysis to predict the optimum time for the aerial sowing of pastures on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (83) ◽  
pp. 871
Author(s):  
PM Dowling ◽  
RCG Smith
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
Plant Survival ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
June July

The objective of this study was to determine the time of year that maximized establishment and . minimized the risk of failure in aerial sowing of pasture seed on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. This was achieved by relating a set of monthly measurements of establishment spanning two years to mean soil moisture, predicted by a water balance model for the six-week period following sowing. From this relationship, establishment was simulated for 61 years using historical rainfall data to estimate probability density functions of establishment for each week of the year. From these functions it was concluded that maximum establishment with minimum risk can be expected from sowing in the June-July period. For perennial species plant survival over the first summer is of more practical importance than per cent establishment. Our data on plant survival, although not presented, indicated a close relationship existed between establishment and survival and supported the conclusion that the optimal time for oversowing is June-July.

Climatic conditions for seedling recruitment within perennial grass swards in south-eastern Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 389 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Thapa ◽  
D. R. Kemp ◽  
M. L. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
New South ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Moisture Conditions ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Recruitment of new perennial grass plants within existing grassland ecosystems is determined by seed availability, suitable microsites, nutrients and climatic conditions, water and temperatures. This paper reports on the development of criteria to predict recruitment events using modelled soil moisture conditions associated with recruitment of species in five field experiments at Orange (Phalaris aquatica), Trunkey Creek (Austrodanthonia spp.), and Wellington (Bothriochloa macra) in central New South Wales, Australia, and the frequency of those conditions during the past 30 years. Recruitment events were recorded when a rainfall event (median 68 mm across the three sites) kept the surface volumetric soil moisture (0–50 mm) above the permanent wilting point for at least 15 continuous days, allowing for, at most, two ‘dry days’ in between. A key finding from our study is that rainfall events creating favourable soil moisture conditions for seedling emergence typically occurred in the second half of February, sometimes extending to early March. Previously it was thought that recruitment would more likely occur through autumn, winter, and spring when rainfall in southern Australia is more reliable. The 30 years’ data (1975–2004) showed that the P. aquatica site had a median of 20 continuous moist days each year in February–March, whereas, there were 16 and 10 days for the Austrodanthonia and B. macra sites, respectively. The probabilities of exceeding seven or 15 continuous days of moist surface soil were 98% and 78% at the P. aquatica site, 91% and 49% at the Austrodanthonia site, and 73% and 30% at the B. macra site, and indicated that some recruitment is possible in most years. These analyses were extended to several sites across New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania to estimate the frequency with which recruitment could occur within natural swards. Across these sites, the probabilities of exceeding seven continuous days of soil moisture were >55% and of exceeding 15 continuous days were lower, which showed that suitable climatic conditions exist during late summer–early autumn across south-eastern Australia for a recruitment event to occur. Future research may show that the criteria developed in this paper could have wider regional application.

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