Do economic factors cause change in productivity and stability in the New South Wales arid zone?

1978 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 200
Author(s):  
J.R. Anderson ◽  
PA Bruyn
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Western Division

A framework is suggested and explored for examining the influence of economic factors on changes in productivity and stability in the Western Division of New South Wales. The conclusion is reached that, excepting for an extraordinary peak of productivity around 1890, productivity continues to move up and down in a manner as unstable as ever. Economic factors seemingly play no clear role in influencing changes in productivity and only a slight and ambiguous role in influencing changes in stability.

The butterfly fauna of the Griffith district, a fragmented semi-arid landscape in inland southern New South Wales

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael F. Braby ◽  
Ted D. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Butterfly Fauna ◽  
Semi Arid

Thirty-three species of butterflies are recorded from the Griffith district in the semi-arid zone of inland southern New South Wales. The butterfly community comprises the following structure: 19 species (58%) are resident; 7 (21 %) are regular immigrants; 2 (6%) are irregular immigrants; 5 (15%) are vagrants. Except for a few migratory species, most occur in relatively low abundance. Lack of similar studies elsewhere in western New South Wales precludes generalizations regarding the species richness, composition and structure of semi-arid butterfly communities. Comparison of the butterfly fauna with that from five other inland regions on the slopes and foothills of the Great Diving Range, revealed that the Griffith district is most similar in species richness and composition to that of Deniliquin and to a lesser extent Wagga Wagga and Cowra in the south, than with two regions in the higher summer rainfall area of the north of the State (Coonabarabran-Mendooran, Narrabri-Bellata). Overall, the butterfly fauna of inland New South Wales (total of 73 species, of which 49 occur in the southern regions) is depauperate compared with that recorded from the coastal/subcoastal areas east of the Great Dividing Range. Attention is drawn to the conservation significance of several vegetation types and habitat remnants in the Griffith district. Much of the native vegetation in the district has been extensively modified since European settlement due to excessive clearing for agriculture, resulting in a highly fragmented landscape for the conservation of native flora and fauna. With the exception of the lycaenid Candalides hyacinthinus Simplex, which is considered threatened locally, there is a general absence of narrow range endemic butterflies associated with mallee-heathland or mallee-woodland, possibly as a result of widespread land clearing practices of mallee vegetation in the past.

Vegetation changes after fire on two land systems in arid North-west New South Wales.

1985 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
WE Mulham
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Dune System ◽  
Erosion Risk ◽  
North West ◽  
South Wales

Following a sequence of favourable years in which pasture growth over much of the arid zone of Australia reached very high ievels, controlled burns were carried out on two contrasting vegetation types in the extreme north-west of New South Wales. A wheei-point apparatus was used to measure subse- quent changes in botanical composition and foliage cover over a four year period. On a pasture periodically dominated by Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp.) burning while growing conditions were favourable resulted in only a small long- term decrease in the cover of Mitchell grass. In the short-term all chenopod species were eliminated and a wider range and greater abundance of annual forbs were promoted in the following spring. On a similar area burned by wildfire in a year of low summer rainfall the response from Mitchell grass was much poorer and botanical composition of the pasture present in the following spring differed from that which developed in the spring following the controlled burn. It also differed from that of the unburnt pasture. The major differences were due to the response of forb species and are attributed to variation in seasonal rainfall. On a dune-system pasture the dominant grasses were species of Aristida and Enneapogon. These are relatively short-lived and appear to have little ability to regrow from the butt after fire. Their slow regeneration after the burn was reflected in the substantial increase in relative abundance of perennial forbs in the following autumn, and of annual forbs the next spring. Although fire appeared to have no long-term effect on the pasture it dramatically reduced tree and shrub numbers. It is suggested that during years in which abnormal quantities of Mitchell grass are present in this region, controlled burning could be a useful form of management. A mosaic of patches burnt at different times would reduce the potential for wide-scale wildfires, provide refuge areas for stock and wildlife in the event of wildfire, and promote a wider choice of plant material for grazing animals. However, in dune-systems vegetation, removal of the pasture cover and reduction of the tree and shrub density would constitute an erosion risk.

An economic study of the Western Division of N.S.W.

1985 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
L Davies
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Parliamentary Committee ◽  
Economic Survey ◽  
Western Division ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Made In

The Hassall Report was based on an economic survey of 150 landholders throughout the Western Division of New South Wales for the financial years 197711978, 197811979 and 1979/1980. The survey used taxation records, however. some attitudinal informa- tion was collected from face to face interviews with landholders. The survey examined the financial performance in relation to the carrying capacity of the property and in relation to five land- scape categories. The survey found that the financial performance of the landscape categorized as "tall dense woodlands with scrub" was significantly poorer than for other landscape categories. The report has been used as a major reference for the recently completed Joint Parliamentary Committee Enquiry into the Western Division of New South Wales and has influenced a number of the economic recommendations in this report. This paper gives a brief summary of the financial results, a comparison of these results to those of other agricultural areas and the major policy recom- mendations made in the report.

Fire in the Mallee Shrublands of Western New South Wales.

1980 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 104 ◽  
Author(s):  
JC Noble ◽  
AW Smith ◽  
HW Leslie
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Management Implications ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wildfire Hazard ◽  
Western Division

This article describes the effects of the 1974175 wildfires on the mallee vegetation in the Western Division of New South Wales using two properties as case studies. The management implications arising from these experiences are described in some detail, particularly the potential for some form of management based on periodic prescribed burning to promote herbage productivity and also to reduce any future wildfire hazard. The need for appropriate research to be undertaken in this field is also discussed.

Lakes and Lakebed Cropping in the Western Division of New South Wales.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Seddon ◽  
SV Briggs
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Lake Area ◽  
Water Regimes ◽  
River Flooding ◽  
Local Structures ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Salinity Water ◽  
Western Division

We developed an inventory of all lakes 100 ha or greater in area in the Western Division of New South Wales including information on source of water, salinity, water regime, lake area, and presence of cultivation permits. Number, area and distribution of different categories of lakes were summarised, and the use of lakes for cropping (lakebed cultivation) and water storage were analysed by category of lake. There were 567 lakes 100 ha or larger in area in the Western Division. The majority of these were mainly dry (includes dry lakes) (56%) or filled intermittently (40%), usually from river flooding. Just under 5% of lakes were perennial. Water regimes in most perennial lakes were controlled by local structures. Seventy lakes had lakebed cultivation permits. Twenty per cent of fresh lakes that filled from a river, rather than from local rainfall, in the Western Division of New South Wales were cultivated (i.e. cropped). Eighty per cent of fresh, riverine lakes larger than 2000 ha which flood and dry intermittently were cultivated. Lakebed cropping in the Western Division of New South Wales has focused on large, fresh, lakes which fill intermittently from rivers. Use of lakes as water storages has also focused on large, fresh lakes. Conservation strategies are recommended for large, fresh lakes that flood intermittently from a river, and are not cropped or used as water storages. These strategies should be directed towards developing voluntary conservation agreements with landholders. Key words: lakes, cropping, GIS, water regimes, conservation

Habitat Use by Sminthopsis-Crassicaudata, Planigale-Gilesi and Planigale-Tenuirostris (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae) in Semiarid New-South-Wales

1987 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Read
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Sminthopsis Crassicaudata ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Soil Cracks ◽  
Habitat Variables

Habitat use by Sminthopsis crassicaudata, Planigale gilesi and P. tenuirostris was investigated in the arid zone of New South Wales. All species showed considerable flexibility in habitat use at all times, and abundance was poorly predicted from easily measured parameters of the habitat. However, evidence was found for separation of microhabitat among these sympatric species. Multiple regression analysis indicated that abundance of S. crassicaudata was negatively associated with height of vegetation and the depth and density of soil cracks, and that of P. gilesi was positively associated with these habitat variables. Plant height was positively associated with abundance of P. tenuirostris and it was the only important predictor for this species. These results are discussed in conjunction with trapping records from other habitats.

Humid to Arid to Subhumid Vegetation Shift on Pilliga Sandstone, Ulungra Springs, New South Wales

1989 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.R. Dodson ◽  
R.V.S. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Vegetation History ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Vegetation Shift ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Shrub Steppe ◽  
Pollen Rain ◽  
Open Forests

AbstractThe Pilliga Sandstone region of the northwest slope of New South Wales has a natural vegetation cover of sclerophyllous relatively closed to open forests with a largely heathy understorey, and a warm, subhumid and continental climate. Pollen analysis of spring-fed deposits gives a vegetation history extending from at least 30,000 yr B.P. to the late Holocene. Tree pollen became scarce after about 25,000 yr B.P. and an assemblage dominated by Chenopodiaceae, Liguliflorae, Tubuliflorae, and probably Poaceae developed. No similar assemblage is known from present pollen rain studies carried out in Australia. However, it clearly represents a treeless open shrub-steppe formation and therefore an arid or semiarid environment. The site thus provides evidence of an eastward late Pleistocene extension of the arid zone in Australia, and is the first full-glacial vegetation record between 20° and 35° latitude in Australia. The present vegetation cover did not become reestablished until the beginning of the Holocene, which raises questions about the form in which Pilliga Sandstone vegetation survived full-glacial conditions.

The 1999 review of the Western Division of New South Wales

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Kerin
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resource Management ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Administrative Procedures ◽  
Western Division

A comprehensive review of the Western Division of New South Wales was carried out in 1998/99. The review addressed economic, environmental and social issues in New South Wales' rangelands. Six commissioned studies examined these issues in more detail. The recommendations of the review centred on streamlining administrative procedures, including Acts and regulations, addressing integrated natural resource management from a regional perspective by involving leaseholders and relevant stakeholders as representative of the broader community. It was seen as essential that scientific research and expertise, and technological advances in knowledge, be utilised by decision makers in coming to more coordinated land management decisions.

Observations on the effects of rabbit calicivirus disease on low and medium density rabbit populations in western New South Wales

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Sharp ◽  
Kerry Holmes ◽  
Melinda Norton ◽  
Adam Marks
Keyword(s):  
Arid Zone ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Medium Density ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Positive Growth ◽  
Density Population

Between winter 1995 and winter 1998, seasonal spotlight counts for rabbits were conducted along three transects in western New South Wales. Rabbit Calicivirus (RCV) arrived at the study site in spring 1996 and had an immediate marked effect on rabbit densities. Prior to the advent of Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD), rabbit abundance followed the expected annual pattern of positive growth during the winter to summer period and negligible or negative growth during the summer to winter period. With the arrival of RCV, rabbit abundance was observed to decline by 47% and 75% within low density populations and by 84% within a medium density population. In the subsequent 21 months, the low density populations returned to levels approximating those prior to the arrival of RCV. In contrast, rabbit abundance within the medium density population remained at consistently lowered levels. These data suggest that RCD will have a minimal effect on semi-arid zone rabbit populations below a density of 0.4/ha and that additional management actions will be required to further reduce rabbit abundances.

scholarly journals The population dynamics of perennial chenopod shrubs in semi-arid western New South Wales.

1990 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Eldridge
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Population Ecology ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Seedling Survival ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Semi Arid

This thesis deals with some aspects of the population ecology of arid zone perennial chenopod shrubs. It examined the effects of grazing on the population dynamics of Atriplex vesicaria, Maireana astrotricha and Maireana pyramidata, the influence of weather on recruitment and survival of Atriplex vesicaria and the effects of various microtopographical features on seedling survival of Atriplex vesicaria.

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