The Bugle - 31 August 2007
In news this week
Regional NRM group stories
Government updates- Queensland to lead nation in remote sensing research
- Cash incentives to landholders for conservation
- Successful Landcare projects showcased
- Queensland Government and Australia Zoo expand efforts to save one of the world's most endangered mammals
- International award for sustainable sugar breakthrough
- Weird 'engine of the Reef' revealed
- New Reef Plan Secretariat director ready for action
- Mitchell Landcare's Jeff Campbell wins Queensland Landcarer Award
- Fossil fuel hangover may stall ice ages
- AgForward workshop update
- Get a job in NRM!
Regional NRM group stories
Camphor laurels come under attack
SEQ Catchments is leading a concerted attack on the woody weed camphor laurel, a serious agricultural and environmental pest in South East Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Camphor laurels were originally planted as shade and ornamental trees but have invaded pastures and bushland, especially along creek banks. They have been implicated in the poisoning of native fish and invertebrates, and threaten koalas by replacing their blue gum habitat.
A collaborative project is underway to map the distribution of camphor laurels on the Sunshine Coast and compile a database of relevant information. The initial trial study sites are the Mooloolah and Maroochy River catchments.
Coordinated by SEQ Catchments, the project has become an exciting pilot, combining satellite imagery and aerial photography with local ground-truthing by community members, to develop an accurate and holistic picture of this invasive woody weed. The project provides the opportunity to explore together applications for the newly acquired SPOT5 satellite imagery.
With the support and involvement of many local organisations, including Landcare and Waterwatch groups, Spatial 3i Pty Ltd, the Sunshine Coast Camphor Laurel Timber Initiative Ltd, Burnett Mary Regional Group and local councils, the project brings local people together to create positive outcomes for camphor laurel management. By mapping the trees and their characteristics, a strategic and collective approach to milling or other removal with follow-up revegetation can be developed.
The project organisers are asking locals to get involved by ground-truthing information from satellite imagery and aerial photography to identify camphor laurel stands or individual trees, as well as assessing whether the trees could be removed or milled.
For more info, contact SEQ Catchments' Susie Chapman on 07 5459 4788.
Leg up for native fish in the Condamine
Condamine Alliance has secured a $63 000 Recreational Fishing Community Grant to support a $190 000 project to provide a fish passage along the Condamine River at Loudoun Weir, near Dalby.
Native fish, including iconic species like Murray cod and yellow belly (golden perch), need to be able to move easily through river systems to survive and breed.
Recreational fishing is an important pastime in the catchment and the Loudoun Weir Fishway project will contribute to the sustainability of this activity for future generations, said Francine Holt, who led the application process on behalf of the Alliance and its partners.
"A fishway is in place at Loudoun Weir, but has not been operational for some time as it is in need of repair and modification," Mrs Holt said.
Aside from the Australian Government's Recreational Fishing Community Grant and support from federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott, this project represents a partnership involving the Alliance, Dalby Town Council, Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC), Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, GHD, Arrow Energy, and Ostwald Brothers of Dalby.
This operational fishway would be the only one in the Condamine River catchment and should create a lot of interest among riverine ecologists, Mrs Holt said.
Modifications will include a state-of-the-art carp cage to monitor movement of the pest fish European carp at the mid-way point in the catchment.
Fishway modifications also provide an opportunity to evaluate movements of native fish species and, over time, monitor species population changes.
Mrs Holt said the partners in this project should be congratulated for their commitment to developing a solution to a complex problem.
"Their support is essential to restore fish passage at this strategically important location, and it will benefit recreational fishing both up and downstream from the weir for years to come."
Condamine Alliance will coordinate work at Loudoun Weir, which has been identified as a priority barrier to fish passage in Queensland's river systems by the MDBC's Native Fish Strategy.
For more information contact Fran Holt on 07 4620 0117.
Government updates
Queensland to lead nation in remote sensing research
The most advance remote sensing program of its kind in Australia will be established in Queensland in an innovative new partnership between the state government and the University of Queensland (UQ).
The program will use satellite imagery linked to ground-work to help researchers observe, map and understand changes to Queensland's environment, including water quality and the spread of weeds.
Natural Resources and Water (NRW) Minister, Craig Wallace, said scientists from the department and UQ, as well as students from UQ's Centre for Remote Sensing and Spatial Science, would take part in the program, which will be based at UQ's St Lucia campus.
Mr Wallace said the project was designed to more effectively monitor the state's natural environment.
"Researchers will use high-resolution satellite imagery to assess and monitor wildlife habitats and vegetation that filters and improves water quality," Mr Wallace said.
Another project will use state-of-the-art satellite sensors to map the extent and spread of weeds such as prickly acacia, rubber vine and lantana. This research will link closely with the government's Blueprint for the Bush program.
Mr Wallace said the partnership would create a hub of expertise for research using remote sensing by sharing technical expertise, resources and training opportunities.
"The Queensland Government is committed to looking after the state’s vast land, vegetation and water resources. Remote sensing technology is a key tool in our approach to sustainable resource management," Mr Wallace said.
"Remote sensing is the observation of an object from a distance using aerial photography or satellite imaging.
"The Department of Natural Resources and Water has used remote sensing for years to assist us in monitoring land clearing.
"Under this program, NRW will join its resources with UQ, which is recognised as a national and international leader in remote-sensing education and research."
Mr Wallace said the agreement would bring together skilled researchers, major computing capacity and data covering most of the Australian east coast.
Cash incentives to landholders for conservation
Queensland landholders are being invited to bid for financial assistance from the state government to help conserve the environmental value of their working properties.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace have encouraged people eager to maintain or improve the natural and cultural value of their properties to apply for funding under a competitive auction process.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the offer was available to landholders who have entered into, or were willing to enter into, nature refuge agreements with the Environmental Protection Agency to conserve their land in perpetuity.
"Under the NatureAssist program successful bidders receive money to undertake work to conserve and manage areas of high conservation value on their land.
"The EPA is working closely with AgForce to alert rural landholders to funding opportunities under the second round of NatureAssist funding," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Mr Wallace said more than $10 million had been committed over four years by the Queensland and federal governments, regional natural resource management bodies and non-government organisations.
"Land under voluntary conservation agreements in Queensland now totals more than 561 000 ha.
"Many of these properties feature successful land-based enterprises, showing that earning a livelihood while protecting the land for future generations can readily go hand in hand," Mr Wallace said.
According to Ms Nelson-Carr response to the first round of the program was exceptional with $1.85 million committed to 70 landholders throughout Queensland for protection of around 81 000 ha while conserving land-based businesses.
"It's not possible to protect all of Queensland's special and important ecosystems through national parks alone, so the commitment of forward-thinking landholders is a valuable and greatly appreciated contribution," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
"These cash incentives formally recognise landholders who are observing best management practice."
Mr Wallace said a major funding source was the Environmental Partnerships Scheme, an initiative under the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush.
Submissions for the second round of NatureAssist can be made between 27 August and 21 September. Details are available from local nature refuge officers or from the EPA on 1800 603 604.
Successful Landcare projects showcased
The inspiring stories of how 14 community groups across Australia beat the odds to bring their Landcare projects to fruition are captured in a booklet launched last week at the Queensland Landcare Conference in Mackay.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, said the stories were great examples of how industries and communities could work together to achieve common goals.
"The key to Landcare's success is that it creates strong partnerships between industry and the community, which in turn encourages farmers to implement more efficient and sustainable business practices," Mr McGauran said.
"The groups featured in this booklet clearly show how these partnerships work.
"Successful groups are always easily idenitified by their achievements, but the story of how they got there is not always told.
"'Partners in sustainable production' does just that. These groups rolled up their sleeves and got the job done.
"Importantly, they drew others in with them - regional natural resource management organisations, researchers and industry. The stories reflect real teamwork.
"The on-ground results were outstanding."
Partners in sustainable production - working together for the benefit of future generations was launched by Ms Bobbie Brazil, chair of the Australian Landcare Council.
Further information is available from Coral Love and Paul Carroll from the National Landcare Facilitator Project, on 03 5753 4557 or 0428 296 050.
Queensland Government and Australia Zoo expand efforts to save one of the world's most endangered mammals
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr and Terri Irwin of Australia Zoo have signed a new cooperative agreement to implement conservation actions for the northern hairy-nosed wombat, one of the world's most endangered mammals, as well as crocodiles, koalas and other native species.
Terri Irwin proudly signed the memorandum of understanding last week at Australia Zoo, vowing to continue Steve Irwin's legacy and his amazing work in the protection of endangered species.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the agreement highlights the partnership between the zoo and the Environmental Protection Agency that has been in place for the past five years.
"Two previous agreements between the Queensland Government and Australia Zoo have led to significant breakthroughs in crocodile research through the world-first Crocs in Space project and the establishment of a koala hospital.
"It's exciting that this new accord has been expanded for the next two years to include actions to conserve the highly endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat, one of the most at risk mammals in the world, with fewer than 150 living in just one area, at Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) near Clermont in central Queensland," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Ms Nelson-Carr added that Australia Zoo and the EPA would build on the agency's efforts to bring the northern hairy-nosed wombat back from the brink of extinction.
"Priority tasks will include maintaining and increasing the existing Epping Forest colony and establishing new colonies."
To read the full media release, visit the Ministerial Media Statement website.
Reef updates
International award for sustainable sugar breakthrough
CSIRO's new approach to reducing fertiliser run-off into the Great Barrier Reef has won best agriculture paper at an international conference on sugarcane.
The team of researchers, led by Dr Peter Thorburn, has developed the 'N Replacement' approach to nitrogen fertilister management which could have major environmental and economic benefits for sugarcane-growing regions.
"Our initial trials indicate that this approach may enable farmers to cut their nitrogen fertiliser use by an average of 30 per cent with very little effect on sugar yields," Dr Thorburn said.
"That could translate to an estimated 80 per cent reduction in the amount of nitrogen that leaches out into waterways from sugarcane paddocks, which would be very good news for the Great Barrier Reef."
The International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, representing scientists from 23 countries, presented Dr Thorburn and his co-authors with the award at its triennial congress in Durban, South Africa earlier this month.
The winning study was titled 'Systems to Balance Production and Environmental Goals of Nitrogen Fertiliser Management' and sums up the results of three years of field trials in Queensland and New South Wales.
The prize-winning research was funded by the Sugar Research and Development Corporation in partnership with CSIRO.
For more information visit the CSIRO website.
Weird 'engine of the Reef' revealed
A team of coral researchers has taken a major stride towards revealing the workings of the mysterious 'engine' that drives the Great Barrier Reef, and corals the world over.
The science has critical importance in understanding why coral reefs bleach and die, how they respond to climate change - and how that might affect humanity, they say.
Scientists at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University and the University of Queensland have compiled the world's first detailed gene expression library for Symbiodinium, the microscopic algae that feed the corals - and so provide the primary energy source for the entire Reef.
"Symbiodinium uses sunlight to convert CO2 into carbohydrates for the corals to feed on. At the same time there's evidence the corals control its output, suggesting that they are farming their captive plants," Professor David Yellowlees explains.
"But these microscopic algae are quite weird and unlike any other lifeform. They have different photosynthetic machinery from all other light harvesting organisms. They have 100 times more DNA than we do and we have no idea why such a small organism needs so much. They really are like no other living creature we know."
The strange algae not only rules the fate of the world's coral reefs - it also plays a significant role in soaking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, turning it into nourishment for the corals and powering calcification. Its decline would not only kill the Reef but accelerate CO2 buildup.
Dr Bill Leggat says the team has focused particularly on understanding the biochemical relationship between Symbiodinium and corals when they are stressed by heat, light, increased CO2 levels and pollutants from land run-off.
These stressful conditions cause corals to 'bleach' by expelling the Symbiodinium and - if they don't recover them within a few days - the corals die. Large-scale bleaching struck half of the Great Barrier Reef in 2002, and eight major bleaching episodes have been reported worldwide in the last 30 years due to warming sea water.
For more information visit the ARC Centre for Excellence for Coral Reef Studies website.
New Reef Plan Secretariat director ready for action
The recently appointed director for the Reef Plan Secretariat, Mr Graham Byron, is set to inject new energy into the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (Reef Plan).
"The Reef Plan is a great initiative," Mr Byron said.
"While it may seem like a complex document to many, so too are the challenges of improving water quality in Reef catchments.
"I'm looking forward to working with the many organisations currently implementing the Reef Plan."
Next year is the halfway milestone of the 10-year Reef Plan, and Mr Byron said that while there is real momentum underway, especially in regards to the Reef Water Quality Partnership, there is still plenty of work to do.
Mr Byron is originally from Canberra, however he spent 14 years in regional Queensland working for both the Queensland and Australian governments prior to moving to New South Wales and South Australia. He has returned to the Sunshine State for what he believes is an important and challenging role.
With a background in marine management and research, Mr Byron brings a wealth of both scientific and policy experience to the Reef Plan Secretariat.
For more information about the Reef Plan, visit the Reef Plan website.
Natural resources news
Mitchell Landcare's Jeff Campbell wins Queensland Landcarer Award
Jeff Campbell from Mitchell and District Landcare Association has won the prestigious 2007 Australian Government National Landcare Programme Individual Landcarer Award.
Winners of the ten award categories were announced at a gala dinner in Mackay on Thursday 23 August. The awards, which were organised by Queensland Water and Land Carers, were one of the highlights of the Queensland Landcare Conference, hosted by Pioneer Catchment and Landcare Group.
"Jeff Campbell's work is truly inspirational and he is a fitting winner of the Australian Government National Landcare Programme Individual Landcarer Award," QWaLC chair Esma Armstrong said.
"These awards recognise the fantastic work being done by more than 16 000 volunteers and 300 community groups to protect and restore Queensland's precious lands and waterways.
"Simply being nominated for a Landcare award is an honour; to win an award is a fantastic achievement."
Jeff Campbell is a member of Mitchell and District Landcare Association.
"Jeff is a visionary who is always looking for the next step to take to improve his agricultural enterprise and stay up to date with best practice natural resource management," Ms Armstrong said.
"With his passion and determination for Landcare and sustainable agriculture, he is a great advocate of the work that can be achieved through involvement in Landcare at a local, catchment and regional level."
The awards were presented by the National Landcare Facilitator, Coral Love. Steve Parish Publishing donated gifts for all finalists and guests who attended the Queensland Landcare Awards gala dinner.
Queensland's winners will vie with winners from the other states and territories for the 2008 National Landcare Awards, which will be presented at Parliament House, Canberra.
The winners of the 2007 Queensland Landcare Awards were:
Individual Landcarer Award
- Jeff Campbell (Mitchell & District Landcare Association)
Murray-Darling Basin Commission Rivercare Award
- Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee
Landcare Australia Nature Conservation Award
- Tom and Sue Shephard (Artemis Station, Cape York Peninsula)
Alcoa Landcare Community Group Award
- Noosa and District Landcare Group
Leighton Holdings Local Government Landcare Partnerships Award
- Crows Nest Shire Council
Australian Government Coastcare Award
- Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association
Rural Press Landcare Primary Producer Award
- David Hunter (Mt Dalrymple, north-west of Mackay)
Westpac Landcare Education Award
- Crows Nest State School
Australian Government Landcare NRM Region Award
- terrain NRM (Far North Queensland)
Alcan Landcare Indigenous Award
- David Thomson (Desert Channels Queensland)
For more information about the 2007 Queensland Landcare Awards, visit the QWaLC website.
Fossil fuel hangover may stall ice ages
The fossil fuels we burn today may leave an atmospheric 'hangover' lasting hundreds of thousands of years, which may cause enough residual warming to prevent the onset of the next ice age.
The United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change describes carbon dioxide as having a lifetime in the atmosphere of between five and 200 years before it is ultimately absorbed by the oceans. In fact, as much as onetenth of the CO2 we are emitting now will linger in the air for at least 100 000 years, and perhaps much longer, says Toby Tyrrell of the UK's National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.
"It is often assumed that the Earth will always recover from perturbations. But our research shows that it doesn’t necessarily behave like this," says Tyrrell.
"It isn't always inherently self-rectifying."
Tyrrell and his colleagues used mathematical models to study what would happen to marine chemistry in a greenhouse world. As the ocean absorbs ever more CO2 from the atmosphere, it becomes more acid and so dissolves more calcium carbonate from the shells of marine organisms. This in turn reduces the oceans' ability to absorb more CO2, leaving more greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. The effect may be great enough to prevent the next ice age, Tyrrell found.
Ice ages occur roughly every 100 000 years. The chill begins when wobbles in the planet's orbit marginally change where solar radiation hits the Earth. This is enough to trigger the growth of ice caps. But for reasons that are not yet clear, this initial cooling also causes the oceans to draw CO2 out of the air. Starved of this greenhouse gas, the atmosphere's temperature nosedives until much of the planet is covered in ice.
Tyrrell’s new analysis of ocean chemistry suggests that if CO2 levels in the air rise to 900 ppm by 2100, as predicted by the IPCC's 'business as usual' scenario, there would be little chance they would fall below 560 ppm in time for the next ice age to appear on schedule or, possibly, at all. While that might sound to some like a good thing, the short-term warming caused by that much carbon dioxide is likely to cause such severe disruption that it would not be good policy.
Further CO2 releases, from the burning of all known fossil fuels, for example, could postpone the next ice age for at least half a million years. Only by then could nature reabsorb the excess carbon – mainly because it would be used up as part of the slow chemical weathering of rock.
Tyrrell's findings add further reason to act now on global warming, says David Archer, from the University of Chicago.
"People care, quite rightly, about the ultimate fate of nuclear waste that can remain radioactive for 10 000 years," he told New Scientist.
"I think we should also care about global warming lasting 100 000 years."
Article sourced from New Scientist Magazine.
AgForward workshop update
Every month, AgForward runs a number of workshops across the state. Upcoming workshops include:
- 11 September: Birdsville - Computer mapping
- 11 September: Clermont - GPS essentials
- 11 September: Theodore - AgForests Field Day
- 12 September: Emerald - GPS essentials
- 13 September: Windorah - Computer mapping
- 13 September: Springsure - GPS essentials
- 13 September: Biggenden - AgForests Field Day
- 18 September: Prairie - GPS essentials
- 19 September: Lake Dunn - GPS essentials
- 20 September: Jericho - GPS essentials
- 25 September: Marlborough - AgForests Field Day
- 27 September: Dingo - AgForests Field Day
The cost of the workshops are:
- Vegetation management/Computer mapping - $100 per enterprise
- GPS essentials - $50 per enterprise
More information on these workshops can be found on the AgForward website (under 'Workshops').
To register interest for the AgForest field days, contact Rohan Allen on 0408 769 918. For all other workshops, contact Bree Robertson on 07 3238 6039.
Get a job in NRM!
Are you interested in working with Queensland's regional natural resource management bodies? Then head to the Regional Groups' Collective website where current job opportunities are now available. Be sure to check back regularly to ensure you don't miss out on the job of a lifetime!
Here's a sample of what's on offer:
Regional body: Queensland Murray-Darling Committee
Title: Weed and Pest Animal Management Technical Officer
Tenure: Full-time
Location: Goondiwindi
We are seeking applications for a Weed and Pest Animal Management Technical Officer. The officer will provide support for pest management activities for landholders, NRM groups and industry groups of the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee region.
A position description can be obtained from the QMDC website or by contacting Julie James, QMDC, on 07 4637 6201.
Closing date: COB Monday 10 September 2007
Thought for the week
By the time a man realises that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong.
Charles Wadsworth
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The Bugle is a weekly newsletter published by Community Partnerships, the Department of Natural Resources and Water, highlighting regional NRM activities around Queensland.
Last updated 04 December 2007