NLWRA

Biodiversity

A rapid genetic approach for assessing sediment biodiversity and functioning

The goal of this project is to develop a generic technique to concurrently assess the structural and functional status of ecosystems using genetic measures of the organisms within them. The proof of concept approach entails the development of a DNA microarray chip (ecosystem array) that encapsulates the genetic information for a broad range of biota (invertebrates, algae and microorganisms) and functional genes diagnostic for major estuarine biogeochemical processes. (more)...

Maximising woodland bird diversity in Brigalow Belt Forests

The Brigalow Belt is a national biodiversity hotspot, but our understanding of how to optimise management of its extensive forests for biodiversity is limited. The presence of aggressive noisy miners throughout much of the forests is reducing effective habitat area for many threatened and declining bird species. Inappropriate fire regimes and grazing by feral animals have altered habitat quality, especially for groups of birds under threat such as granivores and ground-foragers. This project will (more)...

Thinking Bush 8

Thinking Weeds

Thinking Bush is a quarterly publication coming out of the Native Vegetation and Biodiversity R&D Program.

This edition focuses on weeds.

In this issue:

  • Biocontrol
  • Detection and spread

A Bayesian network model for predicting Grey-crown Babbler population abundance in the Lower Loddon River catchment - Report 4

This report - Ecological Risk Assessment Case Study for the Lower Loddon Catchment: Bayesian decision network model for predicting grey-crowned babbler population abundance in the Lower Loddon catchment - is the fourth in a series of five produced by…

The effect of changing irrigation strategies on biodiversity

The irrigation industry is facing substantial change that is likely to affect the quantity and timing of water supply, as well as the infrastructure involved in water delivery and use. Managing these changes without further compromising environmental sustainability requires knowledge of how irrigation practices effect local and regional biodiversity, and the implications for biodiversity persistence of possible changes in policies, district water management and farming methods. This project will (more)...

Thumbnail cover image

Dynamics in tropical eucalypt forests

This fact sheet written by John Woinarski and Brydie Hill presents the key findings from the Land & Water Australia managed project: Defining successional patterns and biodiversity values of north Australian eucalypt forests. Overall, this study provides major new insights into the dynamics of these important tropical eucalypt forests, particularly allowing comparison with the dynamics of temperate eucalypt forests. The study has important management (more)...

Thumbnail cover image

Thinking Bush Issue 7 - a focus on agroforestry

In this issue:

  • Five yearly report card on the state of Australia’s Forests
  • Agro-ecology: ecological diversity by design
  • AgroForestry and natural resource management – lessons from the Joint Venture Agroforestry Program over the past 15 years
  • Plantation Forests: the Facts revealed
  • The Australian Master Treegrower Program - adapting to a changing landscape

Species and Communities

The National Land & Water Resources Audit (the Audit) collected and collated information about Australia’s natural resources. The National NRM Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (National M&E Framework) called for the identification of ‘matters for target’. Each matter for target has a set of ‘indicators’ that will be used to monitor and report on the topic. The matter for target for this (more)...
Thumbnail cover image

Conserving biodiversity in highly modified production landscapes

Ten key strategies

Conserving biodiversity in our forestry and agricultural landscapes is a massive challenge for managers, planners, producers and researchers. Our existing system of conservation reserves is not sufficient to protect biodiversity, and commodity producti

Thumbnail cover image

Is revegetation good for biodiversity?

When it comes to restoring the natural values of our agricultural landscapes, revegetation with native plants would have to be one of the more common approaches employed. This technical note presents a summary of a recent review of the scientific literature carried out by Nicky Munro, David Lindenmayer and Joern Fischer from the Fenner School of Environment and Society at the Australian National University (ANU). The three ecologists are investigating how you (more)...