An ecophysiological analysis of key factors determining jarrah forest productivity on rehabilitated bauxite minesites. Following bauxite mining, soils are prepared for rehabilitation. After sowing or planting of the original species, a vegetation is established. Despite a successful first phase of rehabilitation, there is large variation between stands 5 to 10 years later. The aim of this project is to analyse the causes of this variation, especially variation in performance of jarrah (Eucalypt ....An ecophysiological analysis of key factors determining jarrah forest productivity on rehabilitated bauxite minesites. Following bauxite mining, soils are prepared for rehabilitation. After sowing or planting of the original species, a vegetation is established. Despite a successful first phase of rehabilitation, there is large variation between stands 5 to 10 years later. The aim of this project is to analyse the causes of this variation, especially variation in performance of jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) between sites. Nutrient and water status of trees will be assessed, in a search for correlations with plant performance. Effects of fertilisation and irrigation on plant peformance will be investigated. The remarkably high phosphate-use efficiency of jarrah will also be analysed.Read moreRead less
Forestry effects on headwater ecosystem health: a multi-catchment experiment. Most catchments in southern Australia have been logged historically. Increasingly, native forest harvesting occurs in regrowth or drier areas. Although foresters have empirical data on ecological effects of harvesting in pristine or wetter catchments, little exists for drier regrowth areas, hampering effective management to minimize impacts on stream ecosystem health. This project will supply ecological data on stre ....Forestry effects on headwater ecosystem health: a multi-catchment experiment. Most catchments in southern Australia have been logged historically. Increasingly, native forest harvesting occurs in regrowth or drier areas. Although foresters have empirical data on ecological effects of harvesting in pristine or wetter catchments, little exists for drier regrowth areas, hampering effective management to minimize impacts on stream ecosystem health. This project will supply ecological data on stream ecosystems to supplement 4 years of hydrological data collected by Forests NSW from 5 experimental catchments. Results will provide a firmer scientific basis for ecologically sustainable harvesting in this forest type, with flow-on benefits to our national economy, biodiversity, and environment.Read moreRead less