Land-use effects on soil properties on the north-western slopes of New South Wales: Implications for soil condition assessment

Soil Research ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. R. Wilson ◽  
Ivor Growns ◽  
J. Lemon
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Soil Condition ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
Soil C ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales

In Australia, as elsewhere, there is a growing need for information relating to soil condition, its current status, and the nature and direction of change in response to management pressures. This information is required by land managers, and regional, State and, national agencies to inform modified land-use practices and investment to maintain and improve the soil resource. Here, we present data relating to soils under 3 land-use types at 6 properties the north-western slopes of New South Wales. We aimed to quantify the range of soil condition states that exist across the region and to test a range of potential soil condition indicators and their suitability to detect differences in soil condition between these land-use types. A range of soil properties showed no significant difference between land-uses and could be rejected as indicators. However, significant differences existed between the land-uses and soil depths for a range of the other soil parameters determined (bulk density, C, N, P, EC, and Na). Soil C, N, P, and Na concentration and total soil C were typically higher in woodland soils compared with other land-uses, while bulk density, pH, and EC were lower in the woodland soils. The depth at which these differences existed varied between soil parameters. Correlation and principal components analysis suggested that a minimum dataset of soil parameters including soil bulk density, pH, C, P, and Na would discern much of the difference in soil condition between the land-uses studied. It is proposed that these parameters be used as a minimum dataset of indicators for soil condition assessment on soils of the type across this region. Work continues under the New South Wales Land and Soil Condition Monitoring Program to further refine the selection of appropriate soil indicators in this and other regions of New South Wales.

Drying temperature effects on bulk density and carbon density determination in soils of northern New South Wales

Soil Research ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Wilson ◽  
Subhadip Ghosh ◽  
Phoebe Barnes ◽  
Paul Kristiansen
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Land Management ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Soil Condition ◽  
Carbon Density ◽  
Drying Temperature ◽  
Large Sample ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Initial Objective

There is a widespread and growing need for information relating to soil condition and changes in response to land management pressures. To provide the information needed to quantify land management effects on soil condition, monitoring systems are now being put in place and these programs will generate large numbers of samples. Streamlined procedures for the analysis of large sample numbers are therefore required. Bulk density (BD) is considered to be one of several key indicators for measuring soil physical condition, and is also required to estimate soil carbon density. The standard analytical technique for BD requires drying the soil at 105°C but this procedure creates several logistical and analytical problems. Our initial objective was to derive correction factors between drying temperatures to allow for rapid, low-temperature estimation of BD on large sample numbers. Soil samples were collected from 3 contrasting soil types (basalt, granite, and meta-sediments) in 4 land uses (cultivation, sown pasture, native pasture, woodland) in northern New South Wales to test the effect of soil drying temperature on BD determination. Cores were divided into 4 depths (0–0.05, 0.050–0.10, 0.10–0.20, 0.20–0.30 m), and oven-dried at 40, 70, and 105°C. Drying temperature had no significant effect on BD but the effects of soil type, depth, and land use were significant, varying according to expectations based on previous studies, i.e. higher BD in granite-derived soils and lower in basalt-derived soils, increased BD with depth, and increasing BD with increasing management intensity. These results indicate that lower drying temperatures (40°C) were adequate for the efficient determination of BD especially where analysis of other soil properties from the same sample is required. However, before this approach is applied more widely, further calibration of BD and drying temperature should be undertaken across a wider range of soils, especially on clay-rich soils.

Carbon storage in the soils and vegetation of contrasting land uses in northern New South Wales, Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Young ◽  
Brian R Wilson ◽  
Malem McLeod ◽  
Clair Alston
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Continuous Cultivation ◽  
Carbon Accounting ◽  
Land Uses ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Organic Carbon Stock ◽  
Carbon Concentrations

The organic carbon stock in biomass and soil profiles sampled from nearby paddocks with different land-use histories was estimated at 7 sites in the upper Liverpool Plains catchment and the Manilla district of north-western New South Wales, Australia. The distribution of soil carbon concentrations over a depth of 2 m was significantly affected by site and land use. Continuous cultivation and cropping over ≥20 years significantly depleted carbon concentrations compared with grassy woodlands in the surface 0.20 m at all sites and to a depth of 0.60 m at 3 sites. Depth of sampling (0–0.20 v. 0–1.0 m) significantly affected the differences between land uses at most sites regarding estimates of the stock of soil carbon. These results show that differences in soil carbon concentrations and stock size do not remain constant with depth between contrasting land uses. However, comparisons between land uses of the total amount of carbon stored were dominated by the number of trees per ha and the size of the trees in grassy woodlands. The implications of these results for carbon accounting are discussed.

The influence of individual native trees and grazing regime on soil properties and groundcover patterns in a temperate landscape of New South Wales, Australia

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phoebe Barnes ◽  
Brian R. Wilson ◽  
Chris Nadolny ◽  
Ivor Growns
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Tree Canopy ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Vegetation Composition ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Native Trees ◽  
South Wales

Scattered native trees are a significant ecological resource across the agricultural landscape, yet their numbers are declining due to factors such as dieback, senescence and agricultural activity. This study examined the interactions among Eucalyptus melliodora (Cunn. ex Schauer) trees, vegetation composition and selected surface soil chemical properties in grazed and ungrazed paddocks on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Four farms on granite soils were examined in grazed and ungrazed treatments. Vegetation composition was assessed, and soil samples were collected in plots beneath the canopy and in adjacent open areas in both north and south directions of the tree canopy. Native grasses dominated the vegetation in both beneath the canopy and open areas, at both grazed and ungrazed sites. However, their composition varied between farms. Several C3 and C4 grasses contributed to the groundcover of the canopy and open sites, but C3 grasses were generally more common under the canopy. Significant differences occurred in soil C, N, P and pH, and vegetation composition between canopy and open areas, and between grazed and ungrazed treatments. Soil P, C and N contents in grazed sites were typically similar to or higher than those in ungrazed sites, and soils were less acid in the ungrazed compared with grazed sites. All soil parameters measured were significantly higher under tree canopies, except P. The tree, soil and vegetation factors were strongly related. This study confirms that individual scattered trees create a distinct mosaic of localised soil improvement, and influence vegetation composition so that paddocks with trees are floristically more diverse than paddocks without trees. The results illustrate the potential benefits of retaining trees for both biodiversity values and livestock production in Australia.

Seed production and seedling emergence of Giant Parramatta grass on the north coast of New South Wales

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
TS Andrews ◽  
RDB Whalley ◽  
CE Jones
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Bank ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
North Coast ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Seed Fall ◽  
The Impact

Inputs and losses from Giant Parramatta grass [GPG, Sporobolus indicus (L.) R. Br. var. major (Buse) Baaijens] soil seed banks were quantified on the North Coast of New South Wales. Monthly potential seed production and actual seed fall was estimated at Valla during 1991-92. Total potential production was >668 000 seeds/m2 for the season, while seed fall was >146000 seeds/m2. Seed fall >10000 seeds/m2.month was recorded from January until May, with further seed falls recorded in June and July. The impact of seed production on seed banks was assessed by estimating seed banks in the seed production quadrats before and after seed fall. Seed banks in 4 of the 6 sites decreased in year 2, although seed numbers at 1 damp site increased markedly. Defoliation from mid-December until February, April or June prevented seed production, reducing seed banks by 34% over 7 months. Seed banks in undefoliated plots increased by 3300 seeds/m2, although seed fall was estimated at >114 000 seeds/m2. Emergence of GPG seedlings from artificially established and naturally occurring, persistent seed banks was recorded for 3 years from bare and vegetated treatment plots. Sown seeds showed high levels of innate dormancy and only 4% of seeds emerged when sown immediately after collection. Longer storage of seeds after collection resulted in more seedlings emerging. Estimates of persistent seed banks ranged from 1650 to about 21260 seeds/m2. Most seedlings emerged in spring or autumn and this was correlated with rainfall but not with ambient temperatures. Rates of seed bank decline in both bare and vegetated treatment plots was estimated by fitting exponential decay curves to seed bank estimates. Assuming no further seed inputs, it was estimated that it would take about 3 and 5 years, respectively, for seed banks to decline to 150 seeds/m2 in bare and vegetated treatments.

RACE RELATIONS ON THE NORTH COAST OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Oceania ◽  
1957 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm J. C. Calley
Keyword(s):  
Race Relations ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North Coast ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales

Soil and vegetation response to thinning White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla) on the North Western Slopes of New South Wales, Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 285 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 245-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. McHenry ◽  
B. R. Wilson ◽  
J. M. Lemon ◽  
D. E. Donnelly ◽  
I. G. Growns
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Vegetation Response ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Callitris Glaucophylla ◽  
North Western ◽  
Cypress Pine

2. On a New Species of Manna, from New South Wales.

1851 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 239-240
Author(s):  
Thomas Anderson
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Chemical Constitution ◽  
A New Species

About thirty years ago a species of manna, obtained from the Eucalyptus Mannifera, was brought from New South Wales, and was examined by Dr Thomas Thomson, and afterwards by Professor Johnston, both of whom ascertained it to contain a new species of sugar, different from the mannite which exists in ordinary manna. The author had, through the kindness of Mr Sheriff Cay, an opportunity of examining a very different species of manna, remarkable both from its chemical constitution, and from its possessing a definitely organised structure. This substance was discovered by Mr Robert Cay in 1844, in the interior of Australia Felix, to the north and north-west of Melbourne, where it occurs at certain seasons on the leaves of the Mallee plant, Eucalyptus Dumosa, and is known to the natives by the name of Lerp.

Hepatitis C transmission on the north coast of New South Wales: explaining the unexplained

1997 ◽  
Vol 166 (6) ◽  
pp. 290-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim J Sladden ◽  
Alan R Hickey ◽  
Thérèse M Dunn ◽  
John R Beard
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North Coast ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales

Factors affecting the germination of Giant Parramatta grass

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 439 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. Andrews ◽  
C. E. Jones ◽  
R. D. B. Whalley
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Extract ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Seed Fall ◽  
Allelopathic Interactions ◽  
And Control

Summary. Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects of temperature, light and leaf extract solutions on the germination of Giant Parramatta grass [GPG, Sporobolus indicus (L.) R. Br. var. major (Buse) Baaijens] collected from a population on the North Coast of New South Wales. In the first experiment, seeds were subjected to one of a range of temperature combinations immediately after collection and again after 8 and 27 weeks. Germination was restricted to a narrow range of alternating temperatures with a peak at 35°C day/15°C night when seeds were tested immediately after collection. More seeds germinated when the samples had been stored, although germination remained depressed at constant temperatures. These data indicate that freshly collected GPG seeds are subject to primary dormancy and that few would germinate in the field immediately after seed fall. In a second experiment, seeds were buried beneath leaf litter in a pasture immediately after collection. After 7 months, the seeds were exhumed and subjected to either constant (20°C) or alternating (35/15°C) temperatures in either full light, reduced red:far-red (R : FR) light or dark treatments. Over 95% of GPG seeds germinated when subjected to alternating temperatures, regardless of light treatment. At constant temperatures, 97% of seeds germinated under full light, 59% at reduced R : FR light and <1% in dark treatments. A germination response to alternating temperatures and/or light treatments has been reported in pasture weeds and may be an adaptation to detecting gaps in the pasture canopy. Consequently, the germination of GPG in a pasture may be manipulated to some extent by altering the amount of pasture cover using grazing management, mowing and fertiliser applications. In experiment 3, leaves from a range of coastal grasses were mixed with water and the solutions were used to germinate GPG seeds. Solutions extracted from setaria (Setaria sphacelata) leaves completely inhibited GPG germination while 27% of GPG seeds germinated when imbibed with kikuyu leaf extract solution. Solution extracted from carpet grass (Axonopus affinis) leaves had the least effect on GPG germination. In experiment 4, the effects of solutions that had been leached from the leaves of either setaria or carpet grass on seed germination, and root and shoot lengths of GPG seedlings were compared. Germination was less inhibited by leachate solutions compared with the extract solutions used in experiment 3. Seedlings in setaria leachates had significantly shorter roots and shoots than both those germinated in carpet grass leachates and control seedlings. This may explain, at least in part, why carpet-grass-based pastures are readily infested with GPG while setaria-based pastures are relatively resistant to infestation. The potential for allelopathic interactions between GPG and setaria to be fully utilised to reduce the abundance of GPG in coastal New South Wales pastures is discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document