The Distribution of Caesium-137 in Rangeland Soils at Three Sites in Western Australia.

1993 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Loughman ◽  
DJ Mcfarlane ◽  
BL Campbell ◽  
R Shepherd

Soil sampling for the fallout isotope caesium-137 (137Cs) was canied out on three pastoral properties in Western Australia to assess its suitability for estimating soil erosion status. The sites were situated east and north-east of Geraldton in a region receiving an annual rainfall of approximately 200 rnm. It was hypothesised that 137Cs levels would be lower outside Department of Agriculture exclosures, established in the early 1950s, because of higher rates of soil erosion due to pastoral activities. The exclosures are areas of fenced-off rangeland which have the purpose of excludin'g in11 herbivores. It was further hypothesised that 137Cs levels would be related to microtopography in this rangeland-plains landscape. Soil erosion and deposition have given rise to scalds and soil mounds under shrubs, respectively, and amounts of 137Cs at these sites could reflect these processes. The Mann-Whitney U test showed that there were no significant differences in 137Cs levels between samples collected inside and outside the exclosures. At one property there was a significant relationship between 137Cs and microtopography (U test: sig. 0.025 level), suggesting that soil erosion was more severe on open and scald sites than under shrubs. No detectable 137Cs was found at 23% of all sites, but there was evidence that localized deposition of sediments had occurred. Because the total number of samples used in this survey was small, further work will be required to confirm the utility of the 13'Cs technique for measuring erosion status in arid Australia.

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 695 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Andrew ◽  
G. M. Lodge

This paper outlines the development and design of the Sustainable Grazing Systems (SGS) National Experiment from the initial call for expressions of interest, through several workshop processes to the final selection and implementation of its 6 component sites, and the general methodology used at each. Sites were located in Western Australia, western Victoria, north-east Victoria, and on the Central Tablelands, North West Slopes, and the eastern Riverina of New South Wales. Sites in Western Australia, north-east Victoria, the North West Slopes, and the eastern Riverina also had subsites. Methods for the sites and subsites (data collection for pastures, livestock, weather, soils and site characterisation) are presented to provide a central reference, and to save duplication in subsequent papers. Descriptions are provided of the location, average annual rainfall, major pasture, soil and stock types, design and number of treatments, and initial soil levels (0–10 cm) of phosphorus, electrical conductivity, and pH for sites and subsites. Also outlined is the major focus of the research undertaken at each site. While sites studied regionally relevant issues, they operated under a common protocol for data collection with a minimum data set being specified for each of 5 unifying themes: pastures, animal production, water, nutrients, and biodiversity. Economic analyses were also undertaken at the macro- and micro-level, and a procedural tool developed for appraising the on- and off-farm impacts of different systems. To give effect to the themes, common database and modelling tools were developed specifically for the national experiment, so that collectively sites comprised a single experiment.


2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Sawyer

Harvesting of sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) occurs mainly from wild stands in the semi-arid and arid regions (typical annual rainfall 150–300 mm) of Western Australia. Regeneration of wild sandalwood in these regions is believed to be low since the occurrence of changes in land use associated with European settlement. This is thought to be due to factors including drought, poor seed dispersal and grazing. The objective of the study was to increase the germination and establishment of sandalwood through exploring seed response to rainfall. Additionally, the potential of soil-preparation techniques to utilise trace amounts of moisture was investigated. Two 25-ha plots were located either side of the semi-arid–arid divide. Into the plots 16 replicates of the control and 96 replicates of treatments were installed and sown with 11 200 seeds. Rainfall and other weather parameters were recorded at each site with an automated weather station. The study was replicated in 2008 and 2009. It was concluded from the study that there was a statistically significant relationship between germination and rainfall. It is proposed that the germination threshold is 264 mm per year which coincides with the long-term annual rainfall average of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship between germination and soil preparation was demonstrated. Ripping crust-forming soils before sowing and the construction of water-harvest banks had a positive effect. Information gained from these studies has led to the Western Australian State Government implementing a seeding program to increase sandalwood regeneration in the semi-arid region.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 3244-3274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pheerawat Plangoen ◽  
Mukand Babel ◽  
Roberto Clemente ◽  
Sangam Shrestha ◽  
Nitin Tripathi

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Muhibbin Annas ◽  
Suardi Tarumun ◽  
Tengku Nurhidayah

The aims of these research are ; 1) to analyze the economic value of Taman Hutan Raya Sultan Syarif Hasyim, consist of : log value, carbon value and reducing soil erosion value. 2) to analyze some alternatives policies to meet the sustainable management of Tahura Sultan Syarif Hasyim, Pekanbaru. The research was held on Taman Hutan Raya Sultan Syarif Hasyim, Pekanbaru from August to November 2014. The methode of research is survey and the analysist methode is descriptive kuantitative analysist. The primary data are collected with line plot sampling and soil sampling. The results show that the economic value of 2,412 ha (the remaining Tahura area covered by forest) are: log value IDR 2,434,799,820.00 year-1, carbon value IDR 18,718,898,525.19 year-1 consist: carbon sink value IDR 5,919,446,552.45 year-1 and carbon saturation value IDR 12,799,451,972.74 year-1. The reducing erosion value IDR 83,349,849,057.00 year-1. To optimalize the economic value, the policies are: 1) To restore the Tahura area directly into conservation forest with forest cover. 2) To restore the Tahura area gradually into conservation forest with forest cover and 3) To restore Tahura by collaborating management.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alemayehu Amsalu

Abstract Background: In the globe, on April 2021, 130 million coronavirus cases, around 2.8 million were deaths, 102 million were recovered and 105.2 million were closed cases of COVID-19 reported. On April 2021, the world population were 7.9 billion of which United Nations estimates were 1.65% COVID-19 cases included the Ethiopia in report. The main objective of the study was identify the challenges of in control COVID-19.Methods: The cross-sectional study design was used November to February 2021 in Injibera from Ethiopia. The total 385 respondents using simple random sampling were interviewed. The chi-square test of association and ordinal logistic regression was applied to identify the effect of predictor variables on challenges in control COVID-19.Results: Out of 385 respondents 277(71.95%) were high challenges in control COVID-19 in Injibera. There was a significant relationship with social media and challenges of in control virus (p-value = 0.047). The variables considered social media, housing status and influence were significant relationship with challenges of in control virus (p-value < 5%). Facebook users were the responsible causes of challenges in control COVID-19 (p-value = 0.023). The more social media followed, decreased the occurrence of challenges in control virus. In addition, a unit increase rented, the challenges in control virus decreased by 0.60 times (p-value = 0.009).Conclusion: Winning against the coronavirus together with world couldn’t be a marathon. COVID-19 couldn’t be won without collective global and local effort. It would also need serious thinking, discipline and war against the only virus. COVID-19 war needs in control, the globe should be faced free, coordination and discover scientific methods together.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Habtamu Tamiru ◽  
Meseret Wagari

Abstract Background: The quantity of soil loss as a result of soil erosion is dramatically increasing in catchment where land resources management is very weak. The annual dramatic increment of the depletion of very important soil nutrients exposes the residents of this catchment to high expenses of money to use artificial fertilizers to increase the yield. This paper was conducted in Fincha Catchment where the soil is highly vulnerable to erosion, however, where such studies are not undertaken. This study uses Fincha catchment in Abay river basin as the study area to quantify the annual soil loss, where such studies are not undertaken, by implementing Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model developed in ArcGIS version 10.4. Results: Digital Elevation Model (12.5 x 12.5), LANDSAT 8 of Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS), Annual Rainfall of 10 stations (2010-2019) and soil maps of the catchment were used as input parameters to generate the significant factors. Rainfall erosivity factor (R), soil erodibility factor (K), cover and management factor (C), slope length and steepness factor (LS) and support practice factor (P) were used as soil loss quantification significant factors. It was found that the quantified average annual soil loss ranges from 0.0 to 76.5 t ha-1 yr-1 was obtained in the catchment. The area coverage of soil erosion severity with 55%, 35% and 10% as low to moderate, high and very high respectively were identified. Conclusion: Finally, it was concluded that having information about the spatial variability of soil loss severity map generated in the RUSLE model has a paramount role to alert land resources managers and all stakeholders in controlling the effects via the implementation of both structural and non-structural mitigations. The results of the RUSLE model can also be further considered along with the catchment for practical soil loss quantification that can help for protection practices.


2000 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
KN Armstrong ◽  
SD Anstee

This paper summarises the roost habitat and distribution of the ghost bat, Macroderma gigas (Dobson, 1880), in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, with particular emphasis on natural habitats. The preferred habitat of M. gigas in the Hamersley Ranges appears to be caves beneath bluffs of low rounded hills composed of Marra Mamba geology. Habitats were also found in the larger hills of Brockman Iron Formation in the Hamersley Range, and other formations beneath bluffs composed of Gorge Creek Group geology to the north east. Granite rockpiles are also used in the eastern Pilbara. A summary of Pilbara records from numerous sources is presented, including anecdotal accounts and other new records. This includes a newly discovered maternity site from the Hamersley Ranges, only the third reported from natural cave formations in the region. Threats to M. gigas in the region are highlighted and include disturbances associated with mining and entanglement in barbed wire fences.


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