Journal articles on the topic 'Arid regions ecology - New South Wales'
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1
Mcdonald, G., TR New, and RA Farrow. "Geographical and Temporal Distribution of the Common Armyworm, Mythimna Convecta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Eastern Australia: Larval Habitats and Outbreaks." Australian Journal of Zoology 43, no. 6 (1995): 601. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo9950601.
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Surveys for juvenile Mythimna convecta throughout the agricultural and arid regions of eastern Australia were conducted from 1986 to 1989. Armyworm populations north of 33 degrees S were generally dominated by M. convecta, and further south by Persectania ewingii. M. convecta was most widely distributed in spring. Incidence during autumn and winter ranged from very low in Victoria to high in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Summer infestations were found mostly on the south-east coast where favourable habitats were abundant. Colonised habitats included extremely arid regions, where small numbers of larvae were associated with grasses in temporary watercourses, and the higher-rainfall, eastern regions. The largest infestations occurred in south-east Queensland and north central and north-east New South Wales, particularly after heavy autumn rains. There appeared to be two generations of M. convecta over the autumn/winter period: the first a synchronised event starting on the autumn rains and the second commencing in June/July and comprising a wide spread in age distribution. The progeny of the winter generation are probably the source of most economic outbreaks. Mythimna convecta larvae were collected from subtropical and temperate grasses. In the former, most larvae were found in tussocks, particularly of Dichanthium sericeum and Chloris truncata, which provided a dense, fine-leaf crown and canopy. After good autumn rainfall and vegetative growth, the wiry-stemmed tussocks, including Astrebla spp. and C. ciliaris, were also common hosts. The temperate grasses, particularly Avena fatua and Hordeum leporinum, were the main winter hosts although the greatest densities were found only in thick swards of growth, particularly those that contained dried grass. Two of the largest surveys, in autumn 1987 and 1988, followed periods of heavy rain and provided strongly contrasting results. The 1987 survey of central and south-west Queensland located no M. convecta larvae, indicating that densities were below detection thresholds. The paucity of larvae was attributed to lack of suitable atmospheric conditions to assist moth immigrations and absence of adequate populations in potential source areas. The 1988 survey revealed a major outbreak of M. convecta larvae in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. The area received record rains during early April of that year, and the outbreak probably arose from moth migrations from the east and south-east coast. An outbreak of similar scale occurred after further heavy autumn rains in 1989.
2
Parer, I., and JA Libke. "Biology of the Wild Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales." Wildlife Research 18, no. 3 (1991): 327. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9910327.
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Shot samples of rabbits were taken every eight weeks for two years at four sites in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Age structure differed between sites. The two sites at which rabbits were controlled by poisoning had the youngest age structures; the site where rabbits were not controlled had the the oldest age structure, the lowest density, the least myxomatosis and the highest production of young per female. The seasonal percentages of males in the samples were inversely proportional to the percentages of lactating females. Rabbits that were recovering from myxomatosis had higher infestations of Graphidium strigosum than rabbits that had active myxomatosis or no symptoms. At one of the sites, rabbits with myxomatosis were shot on every sampling occasion. Differences between sites, in duration and timing of reproduction, were very small compared with differences between rabbit populations from climatically different regions of Australasia; annual production of young per female older than six months varied between sites from 23.7 to 26.5 compared with the range of 15-53 for Australasia. The percentage of pregnant females and fertile males was highest in late spring and fell to zero for 1-2 months in summer. This seasonal pattern of reproduction is intermediate between the pattern found in some high-rainfall Australasian environments, where more than 30% of the females are pregnant in all months, and the patterns in arid, semi-arid and subalpine environments, where no females are pregnant for 3-6 months of the year.
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Holdaway, SJ, PC Fanning, and DC Witter. "Prehistoric aboriginal occupation of the rangelands: Interpreting the surface archaeological record of far western New South Wales, Australia." Rangeland Journal 22, no. 1 (2000): 44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj0000044.
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Recent erosion in arid regions of western NSW has exposed large areas that are scattered with stone artefacts manufactured by Aboriginal people in prehistory. These exposures offer an opportunity for archaeologists to study the artefacts abandoned by Aboriginal people through time and to compare those artefacts that accumulate in different parts of the landscape. To reconstruct the nature of prehistoric behaviour in the rangelands, two approaches are needed. First, the geomorphological context of the artefacts needs to be considered since exposure of the artefacts is a function of landscape history. Second, large areas (measured in thousands of square metres) and large numbers of artefacts need to be considered if patterns reflecting long-term abandonment behaviour by Aboriginal people are to be identified. This paper reports on the Western New South Wales Archaeological Program (WNSWAP) which was initiated in 1995 to study surface archaeology in the rangelands. Geomorphological studies are combined with artefact analysis using geographic information system software to investigate Aboriginal stone artefact scatters and associated features such as heat retainer hearths, in a landscape context. Results suggest that apparently random scatters of stone artefacts are in fact patterned in ways which inform on prehistoric Aboriginal settlement of the rangelands. Key words: Aboriginal stone artefacts; rangelands; landscape archaeology; geomorphology; GIs
4
Chandler, Gregory T., and Michael D. Crisp. "Contributions Towards a Revision of Daviesia (Fabaceae: Mirbelieae). IV.* D. ulicifolia sens. lat." Australian Systematic Botany 10, no. 1 (1997): 31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sb96013.
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Following a morphometric and cladistic analysis of the Daviesia ulicifolia Andrews group (Chandler and Crisp 1997), a new species, D. sejugata, is described. It occurs disjunctly in eastern Tasmania and southern Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, and is closely related to D. arthropoda F.Muell., differing in a generally more robust habit, thicker fleshy phyllodes, and larger flowers. Even with this species removed from D. ulicifolia, the latter varies considerably over a wide geographic, edaphic and altitudinal range. Daviesia ulicifolia is divided into six subspecies based on distinct phenetic and phylogenetic groups delimited in the earlier study. These are subsp. aridicola (glaucous plants in arid regions), subsp. incarnata (reddish-flowered plants in the Mt Lofty Range, South Australia), subsp. ruscifolia (plants with ovate-acuminate leaves and orange flowers in Victoria and southern New South Wales (NSW), often at high altitude), subsp. stenophylla (a narrow-leaved form in northern NSW and Queensland), subsp. pilligensis (ovate-leaved plants on sandy soil in western NSW), and subsp. ulicifolia (a paraphyletic residual from south-eastern states).
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Jacobs, SWL, and KL Wilson. "A biogeographical analysis of the freshwater plants of Australasia." Australian Systematic Botany 9, no. 2 (1996): 169. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sb9960169.
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Patterns in the distribution of Australasian species of freshwater aquatic plants were sought, to determine whether vicariance, distance dispersal, local speciation, or a mixture of these could best explain the distribution. The distribution was recorded from 10 regions of Australasia that include sizeable areas of wetland: Papua New Guinea, Cape York Peninsula, south-east Queensland, eastern New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand, northern Northern Territory, the Kimberley, and south-west Western Australia. Matrices of 553 species by 10 regions, 139 genera by 10 regions, and 56 families by 10 regions were analysed using hierarchical fusion, nearest neighbour and ordination techniques. The results indicate that there are two distinct elements in the aquatic flora, tropical and temperate. The diffuse boundary between these two climatic zones could be interpreted as a barrier in the sense used in definitions of vicariance. There is little effective spread between tropical and temperate areas but, within each of these climatic zones, the species are mobile and many spread reasonably readily between regions, provided suitable habitats and dispersal opportunities are available. Where geographic barriers to distance dispersal have been great then these may become as important as the climatic barrier. This is demonstrated, at least in part, by the differences between some of the generic and species dendrograms. Local speciation (not shown by our PATN analyses because of the endemic species being ignored in them) has been important where some primarily aquatic genera have proliferated when conditions have been suitable. Local speciation has occurred in cosmopolitan aquatic genera that have presumably arrived in regions via long distance dispersal. The significance of bird migration and dispersal patterns are discussed. The aquatic flora of the monsoon tropics has evolved mainly from long distance dispersal but with significant local speciation in some genera such as Nymphoides, Utricularia, Nymphaea and Vallisneria. The pattern of distribution was compared with those recorded from other ecologically defined groups such as the Australian arid and alpine floras.
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Downing, Trisha L., Marco F. Duretto, and Pauline Y. Ladiges. "Morphological analysis of the Grevillea ilicifolia complex (Proteaceae) and recognition of taxa." Australian Systematic Botany 17, no. 3 (2004): 327. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sb03026.
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A morphological study of herbarium and field-collected specimens, using phenetic techniques of agglomerative classification, ordination and minimum spanning trees, and covering the geographic range of the Holly Grevillea, G.�ilicifolia (R.Br.) R.Br. sensu lato, has resulted in the recognition of three species and four subspecies. The taxa are based on leaf form, noted by previous authors to be highly variable between populations. The taxa recognised here are G.�ilicifolia, G.�ilicifolia subsp. ilicifolia (typical, kite-shaped leaf form), G.�ilicifolia subsp. lobata (F.Muell.) T.L.Downing comb. et stat. nov. (oak-shaped leaf form), G.�dilatata (R.Br.) T.L.Downing comb. et stat. nov. (fan-shaped leaf form), G.�angustiloba (F.Muell.) T.L.Downing comb. et stat. nov., G.�angustiloba subsp. angustiloba (narrow-lobed leaf form) and G.�angustiloba subsp. wirregaensis T.L.Downing subsp. nov. (very narrow-lobed leaf form). The rank of subspecies is used where there are some intermediate plants between forms. Grevillea ilicifolia subsp. ilicifolia is the most widespread taxon and occurs in South Australia, western Victoria and in two localities in New South Wales. Grevillea angustiloba subsp. wirregaensis has the most restricted range, occurring in semi-arid regions near Wirrega in South Australia. Grevillea dilatata is largely endemic to Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
7
Noble, JC, MA Habermehl, CD James, J. Landsberg, AC Langston, and SR Morton. "Biodiversity implications of water management in the Great Artesian Basin." Rangeland Journal 20, no. 2 (1998): 275. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9980275.
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The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) underlies a vast, mainly arid, region where most of the indigenous biota are not dependent upon surface water. In contrast, an important minority is dependent on refuges such as mound springs and their associated wetlands. In some parts of the GAB, such as western New South Wales, many springs have either ceased to flow, or are now barely detectable, because the proliferation of artesian waterbores has reduced groundwater pressures. Because of the rarity of species endemic to mound springs, and the damage they have suffered since pastoral settlement, emphasis should be directed towards conservation and possible rejuvenation of these ecosystems. Provision of artificial sources of water allows more widespread grazing by livestock, larger native and feral herbivores, thereby posing threats to native plants and animals that do not use the water. Because of the proliferation of artificial waters and the grazing they allow, terrestrial grazing-sensitive species now appear to be confined to tiny patches in the landscape. Some nature reserves within the GAB retain numerous artificial sources of water. Most of these should be closed over time to reduce negative impacts on grazing-sensitive plants and animals, especially where these species are inadequately protected elsewhere. In those regions where the ratio of artificial to natural waters is still low, consideration should be given to balancing provision of water for livestock with conservation of biological diversity, by maintaining a patchwork of areas remote from water. In regions where the density of artificial waters is high, conservation of biodiversity on freehold and leasehold lands might be enhanced with a mix of approaches accommodating the needs of the biota and the aspirations of landholders, tailored according to land type and condition. Key words: Great Artesian Basin, biological diversity, mound springs, refuges, rare biota, grazing impact, conservation management, groundwater.
8
Green, DR. "Rangeland restoration projects in western New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 11, no. 2 (1989): 110. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9890110.
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The semi-arid to arid Western Division of New South Wales has suffered significant levels of land degradation due to overstocking by domestic animals and rabbits. Three major forms of land degradation are identified, soil erosion, woody weed growth and pasture quality decline. Restoration techniques developed and applied by the New South Wales Soil Conservation Service are presented and discussed. The successful techniques presented are contour furrowing and waterponding for sheet eroded or scalded areas, fire and blade ploughing for woody weed control and grazing management to reverse pasture decline. The lack of knowledge on pasture species responses to grazing management stimuli is highlighted.
9
Pickard, John. "Land management in semi-arid environments of New South Wales." Vegetatio 91, no. 1-2 (January 1991): 191–208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00036057.
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Southwell, C., K. Weaver, N. Sheppard, and P. Morris. "Distribution and Relative Abundance of Feral Goats in the Rangelands of Eastern Australia." Rangeland Journal 15, no. 2 (1993): 331. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9930331.
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An aerial survey of 966,000 km2 of the arid/semi-arid rangelands of Queensland and New South Wales in the winter of 1992 indicated a minimum feral goat population of almost 1 million animals (density 0.97�0.12/km2). Observed density (f standard error) was higher in New South Wales (1.51�0.23/km2) than in Queensland (0.47�0.09/km2).
11
Briggs, SV, JA Seddon, and SA Thornton. "Wildlife in dry lake and associated habitats in western New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 22, no. 2 (2000): 256. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj0000256.
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Intermittently and occasionally flooded lakes are common in arid and semi-arid Australia. The wetldry nature of these lakes means that they provide habitat for terrestrial fauna when dry and aquatic fauna when flooded. The fauna of dry lakes in western New South Wales is largely unknown. This study reports on species of small mammals and reptiles trapped in a dry lake in south-western New South Wales, and contrasts them with species trapped in surrounding woodland and shrubland habitats. Information on bird species in these habitats was also drawn on. Small mammals, reptiles and birds showed considerable partitioning between the habitats in the study area. The dry lake provided the main habitat for the two small mammals Smznthopsis crassicaudata and Planlgale gdesi. Reptiles were most speciose and most abundant in the blue bush (Maireana spp.) shrubland, but some reptile species were mainly or entirely confined to the dry lake habitats, or to black box (Eucalyptus largzjlorens) woodland. Birds in the study region were most abundant and most speciose in the black box woodland, with some species confined to blue bush shrubland. The study showed that conservation of all the habitats investigated is necessary to retain the suite of vertebrate species that occupy these landscapes. Key words: small mammals, reptiles, birds, arid zone, dry lake, shrubland, woodland, biodiversity: Australia
12
Witter, D. C. "Regional variation of the archaeology in western New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 26, no. 2 (2004): 129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj04009.
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There is considerable variation in the Aboriginal archaeology of western New South Wales. This is demonstrated by differences in the stone artefacts found on the open campsites that are common and distributed over all landscapes throughout western NSW. Other site types may occur in particular regions and show differences from one region to another. Eight archaeological regions are proposed. These are at the same scale as the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia, and many of the boundaries are the same. The archaeological regions represent the accumulation of archaeological materials on the landscape and Aboriginal knowledge about how to cope in various situations. There is little relationship between the archaeological regional boundaries and the published tribal boundaries. The condition and preservation of the archaeology is closely related to the nature of landscape change since European arrival.
13
Pickard, J. "Technological Change in Fences and European Pastoral Heritage in Semi-Arid New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 14, no. 2 (1992): 190. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9920190.
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Despite increasing attention to conservation of natural resources and Aboriginal heritage, relics of the European pastoral industry in the semi-arid rangelands have been neglected. Fences are ubiquitous relics of the pastoral industry and show a rich variety in styles, techniques and technological change. Examples from Wilcannia in western New South Wales illustrate the variety that can be found. Legislation in New South Wales prohibits disturbance of relics (items > 50 years old) but has not been applied. The key step is assessing the significance of the item or place. Criteria adopted under The Burra Charter are listed and briefly discussed. Costs of conservation should be borne by society, not individual graziers; and grazier cooperation is essential for conserving cultural heritage.
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Eldridge, DJ. "The population dynamics of perennial chenopod shrubs in semi-arid western New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 12, no. 1 (1990): 29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9900029.
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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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Downing, BH. "Goat and Sheep Grazing in Shrub-Infested Semi-arid Woodlands of New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 8, no. 2 (1986): 140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9860140.
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Examination of data on dietary preferences of sheep, goats and cattle suggests that different grazing systems are desirable for each of the three major woodland types (belah-rosewood, mulga, poplar box) examined. Competition for herbs, frequently palatable to all animal species, indicates that goats and sheep are unsuitable for joint use either in heavily wooded country or where annual herbaceous production is less than 200 kg-ha. Supplementary feeding, fire and judicious stocking are proposed as a strategy for inducing goats to eat a proportion of unpalatable shrubs. The literature provides little helpful information on how rangelands in the Western Division should be managed. No reports are given on comparisons of grazing systems, such as rotational grazing, rotational resting, and continuous grazing. No guidance is given on grazing after burning of the rangeland. Recommendations are generally against the use of goats for control of woody plants, whereas local observation shows this to be an apparently effective practice. The recommendations are mostly based on experimental procedures which, although suitable for detecting animal dietary preferences in the short term, are less appropriate for investigation of the effects of grazing on range condition in the long term. Some suggestions are made towards a different approach for: investigating the effects of grazing by sheep and goats on rangeland condition, and the economic implications of this in terms of animal production.
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Lunney, D., A. L. Curtin, D. Fisher, D. Ayers, and C. R. Dickman. "Ecological attributes of the threatened fauna of New South Wales." Pacific Conservation Biology 3, no. 1 (1997): 13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc970013.
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The aims of this study were to identify common ecological patterns among threatened fauna in New South Wales, and to identify priority areas for research and management by determining which regions and habitats contain high numbers of threatened fauna. Threatened and non-threatened fauna were taken from the listings of Lunney et al. (1996, 1997). Species were categorized into weight classes, diet groups, habitats and regions and by level of knowledge available about them. All regions and habitats of the State contain threatened species. The northeastern region of New South Wales contains the greatest number of threatened species but the western region has suffered the most extinctions, especially of mammals. Species that historically inhabited a greater number of regions are less likely to be currently threatened or to be extinct than those with restricted distributions, and large species are more likely to be threatened than smaller species. The best predictors of a threatened mammals species were seeds and vegetation in the diet, heavier body weight, and ground-dwelling, burrowing, and rock pile/cave-dwelling habits. The Critical Weight Range (35?5 500g), although strongly associated with extinction of non-volant mammals, was not the most important predictor. Lord Howe Island held the highest proportion of threatened and extinct birds. Factors showing the strongest associations for threatened birds were carnivory, large size, and distribution in the southeastern region. The most poorly-known region for birds was the north-east, and the least known habitat was shrubland (including mallee, heath and chenopod shrubland). The status of reptiles was poorly known in all regions, especially the western region. Frogs were also poorly known in all regions. Frogs were most at risk if they were large, inhabited closed forest or occurred in the central or northeastern region. The study further revealed little association between particular ecological attributes and conservation status. This indicates that there are complex and pervasive threats affecting the status of New South Wales fauna. Research and management priority status could be argued for all regions and most habitats in the State, but the western or northeastern regions may face the most problems depending on the criteria used (e.g., past extinctions, number vs proportion of threatened species). Further, the conservation status of birds, reptiles and frogs is in particular need of attention from researchers.
17
Parer, I., and T. Korn. "Seasonal Incidence of Myxomatosis in New-South-Wales." Wildlife Research 16, no. 5 (1989): 563. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9890563.
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We analysed monthly records of the presence or absence of myxomatosis in the 59 Pasture Protection Board Districts of New South Wales for 1959-64 and 1980-86. These periods respectively precede and follow the introduction of the European rabbit flea, Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale), into New South Wales. Throughout New South Wales during the two periods, myxomatosis was reported more frequently in summer than in winter. The seasonal trend was more pronounced on the western and central plains than on the slopes, tablelands or coastal regions. The incidence of myxomatosis was positively related to rainfall on the western and central plains and slopes, but not on the tablelands and coast. After the introduction of the rabbit flea, the reported incidence of myxomatosis increased more on the tablelands than in the other regions.
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Mitchell, P. B. "Historical perspectives on some vegetation and soil changes in semi-arid New South Wales." Vegetatio 91, no. 1-2 (January 1991): 169–82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00036055.
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Mulham, WE. "Vegetation changes after fire on two land systems in arid North-west New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 7, no. 2 (1985): 80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9850080.
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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.
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F. Braby, Michael, and Ted D. Edwards. "The butterfly fauna of the Griffith district, a fragmented semi-arid landscape in inland southern New South Wales." Pacific Conservation Biology 12, no. 2 (2006): 140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc060140.
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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.
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Eldridge, DJ. "Distribution and Floristics of Terricolous Lichens in Soil Crusts in Arid and Semi-Arid New South Wales, Australia." Australian Journal of Botany 44, no. 5 (1996): 581. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt9960581.
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This paper examines the distribution of terricolous lichens at a regional scale across seven landscape types over 60 000 km2 in western New South Wales. Data are also presented on the distribution of lichens within a geomorphic sequence of runoff and runon zones on a red earth soil near Cobar. On a regional scale, 48 taxa from 23 genera were collected from 282 sites in semi-arid and arid eastern Australia, Of these, 74% were crustose or squamulose, and the remainder (26%) were foliose. Six genera (Acarospora, Endocarpon, Catapyrenium, Diploschistes, Peltula and Xanthoparmelia) accounted for 57% of species. Landscape type was a poor predictor of lichen floristics or crust cover. Instead, a core group of species comprising Collema coccophorum, Heppia despreauxii, Endocarpon rogersii, E. simplicatum var. bisporum, E. pallidum, Psora decipiens, Peltula patellata ssp. australiensis, Catapyrenium squamulosum and Synalissa symphorea, occurred in all landscape types. Plains with red earths had the greatest mean number of species per site (11.2) and the greatest mean crust cover (27.7%). Plains of calcareous earths yielded the greatest number of species (38). Across all sites, crust cover was a poor predictor of lichen species richness. However, on landscape types with non-calcareous soils, mean crust cover explained 88% of the variation in mean number of species. Whilst there was no difference in total number of species across a sequence of geomorphic zones, crust cover was significantly greater in the interception zones (79.0%) compared with either the run-on (6.6%) or run-off (24.0%) zones. These distributional data are compared with other published and unpublished studies from similar areas in Australia. The role of terricolous crusts as indicators of ecosystem health, and the influence of land management on crust cover and subsequent landscape stability are discussed.
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Clancy, TF, and DB Croft. "Population dynamics of the common wallaroo (Macropus robustus erubescens) in arid New South Wales." Wildlife Research 19, no. 1 (1992): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9920001.
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The population dynamics of the common wallaroo or euro (Macropus robustus erubescens) were investigated in two adjacent sites in far western New South Wales. Wallaroo densities were generally higher in a site of high relief (South Ridge) than in one of low relief (South Sandstone); however, both sites exhibited large fluctuations in numbers (ranges of 2.23-18.31 per km*2 and 3.48-19.99 per km*2, respectively). The proportion of adult males relative to adult females was significantly higher in South Sandstone (c. 1.1 : 1) than in South Ridge (c. 0.4: 1), indicating a difference in habitat usage by the sexes. At both sites, fluctuations in overall density were best explained by changes in the density of adult females; however, the relative importance of changes in the numbers of other size-sex classes in determining density fluctuations differed between the two sites. Total density was significantly related to the previous rainfall regime in South Ridge but not in South Sandstone. Reproductive condition of females and survivorship of young were related to environmental conditions. Adult mortality ranged from 4.55 to 25.81% per year and adult survivorship was positively correlated with the abundance of grass. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that dispersal of subadults is predominantly a male phenomenon.
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Newsome, A. E., P. C. Catling, B. D. Cooke, and R. Smyth. "Two ecological universes separated by the Dingo Barrier Fence in semi-arid Australia: interactions between landscapes, herbivory and carnivory, with and without dingoes." Rangeland Journal 23, no. 1 (2001): 71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj01015.
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This paper challenges conclusions of Caughley et al. (1980) that the abundance of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) in western New South Wales is solely due to lack of dingoes (Canis lupus dingo), and vice versa for neighbouring South Australia. A Dingo Barrier Fence divides the two different ecological systems, which have sheep in New South Wales and cattle in South Australia. This paper re-examines in particular whether there is an environmental gradient across the Fence that was dismissed by Caughley et al. This paper concludes to the contrary, that there is a strong environmental gradient. Our aerial surveys demonstrate significantly that habitats favouring red kangaroos are prevalent in New South Wales today, but are very scarce or absent in South Australian landscapes. Aerial surveys were used in both studies, but designs differed. Caughley et al. flew at right angles across the Fence on paths 28 km apart. Flights would have crossed the south-westerly streamlines rarely. Our flight lanes followed streamlines looking for floodouts, the favourite habitat of red kangaroos. Return lanes went between streamlines sampling other habitats. Counts of red kangaroos seen were made every 1.75 km, with the specific habitat also identified. Three extra factors are invoked in our study. One is that the low annual rainfalls translate into intrinsically low survival rates of pouch-young of red kangaroos, contrary to their abundance in New South Wales today. The other two are related to that current abundance also. There is now evidence for greatly increased run-off of rainfall from catchments onto the open plains in New South Wales. Also present is a very large shallow basin lying between catchments and the Dingo Barrier Fence. Streamlines enter it but none flow past its western rim. The above conclusions were confirmed during subsequent ground surveys over three years. Of eleven species of medium and large vertebrates seen in New South Wales, five were absent in South Australia. Three were kangaroos, and the others were feral pigs and goats. Emus are more abundant in New South Wales also. All of those species would be targets for dingoes, especially as alternate prey to rabbits that generate huge eruptions every decade or so. Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were in lower abundance in South Australia with dingoes present, as expected with meso-predator interactions. Feral cats (Felis catus) were in similar numbers on both sides of the Fence for unknown reasons. Competition between rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and sheep for food in New South Wales was shown to significantly reduce rabbit numbers in drought. That rabbits are perennially in lower densities there than in South Australia may be due to the higher densities of foxes than in South Australia. Historically, red kangaroos were rare in the region in the mid-1800s. Their abundance has arisen since European occupation. Thc species was rare on those open plains, and permanent water was scarce. Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease reached the study-area in 1995. Its impact reduced rabbit populations to a rarity that prevails today on both sides of the Dingo Fence. Predation from dingoes, foxes and feral cats may assist continuance of low numbers of rabbits. Pastures, seedling trees and livestock will benefit, as will the kangaroos.
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Croft, DB. "Sustainable use of wildlife in western New South Wales: Possibilities and problems." Rangeland Journal 22, no. 1 (2000): 88. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj0000088.
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Sustainable use of wildlife has become equated with exploitation of animal products (meat, skin or feathers) and/or removal of wild progenitors into the pet trade. This consumption of the wildlife is therefore largely ex situ and so removes nutrients and energy from the rangelands. Demand for lethal or a removal action is often driven by the severity of the perceived conflict between the wildlife and other enterprises, especially agriculture, rather than for the resulting products. Such uses also raise community concerns about humane treatment of animals and a valuing of the natural heritage. Wildlife-based tourism, as part of the valuable and growing nature-based or ecotourism industry in Australia, is an in situ use that may be a more ecologically sustainable and economically twble option for use of rangeland wildlife. This paper examines these possibilities and their problems with a focus on the commercial kangaroo industry and the use of arid-zone mammals, birds and reptiles for pets. It provides new evidence that wildlife-tourism based on free-living kangaroos in the rangelands is both feasible and in demand. This industry should be given advocacy in the on-going debate on the management and future of the rangelands. Key words: kangaroos, wildlife management, wildlife tourism, game harvesting
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Grant, T. R., P. C. Gehrke, J. H. Harris, and S. Hartley. "Distribution of the Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in New South Wales: Results of The 1994-96 New South Wales Rivers Survey." Australian Mammalogy 21, no. 2 (1999): 177. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am00177.
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Data from the New South Wales Rivers Survey on the occurrence of platypuses have provided the most recent and comprehensive record of platypus distribution in the State. The species was most commonly reported from the montane and coastal regions, being less common on the western slopes and uncommon in the rivers of the western lowlands. The observations confirmed those from earlier community-based surveys. In contrast to the distribution of native fish species, there appears to have been little change in the overall state-wide distribution of the platypus in response to degrading processes in the rivers of New South Wales, although nothing is known of the stability of their population numbers.
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Gardiner, DB, GJ Tupper, and GS Dundeon. "A Quantitative Appraisal of Woody Shrub Encroachment in Western New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 20, no. 1 (1998): 26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9980026.
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Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS) digital imagery was used to estimate the distribution, density and change in woody shrub cover over time in western New South Wales. The purpose of the project was to derive maps of woody cover which can be used as a basis for regional planning and property planning. Assessment of woody vegetation cover using satellite imagery enables regions which are more susceptible to shrub encroachment to be targeted for control strategies. Dry season images which had minimal green vegetation were used, because the spectral signatures of scrubby ground cover interfered with the proper classification of woody vegetation. For each region, multidate imagery was classified using a pixel unmixing algorithm to derive data sets which showed woody canopy cover. These data were then rescaled to percentage values using aerial photography sampled throughout each region. A geographic information system (GIS) was used to derive changes in woody cover between both dates and to present the data in map form. Most current woody cover in the study area occurs at less than 20% cover, whilst higher levels (40 to 80%) occur in the eastern parts of the Louth and Barnato regions. At least 20,3 10 km2 of the 120,000 km2 study area is already affected by woody vegetation cover levels of greater than 40%, which significantly reduces carrying capacity and pastoral productivity. Changes in woody cover over a 10 to 20 year period were varied. Approximately 24% (26,041 km2) was relatively stable, whilst 20% of the Barnato region had moderate decreases (1 1 to 30%) due to wildfires, and increases of 11 to 30% cover occurred on 'hard red' soils in the east. Emerging woody vegetation of less than 10% cover occurred over 1816 km2 of Sandplains and Stony Lowlands in the Louth and Barnato regions, whilst woody vegetation levels of more than 40% cover occurred in the Barnato region. Considerable 'infilling' of previously unwooded areas was noted for regions which already had high levels of woody cover. A minimal amount of prescribed clearing was apparent from the change data, which suggests that effective control of shrubs is difficult to achieve and that future scenarios will see continued encroachment. The findings suggest that the southern Louth and Barnato regions are most at risk of further shrub encroachment, and that these areas need to be targeted for shrub control. The data provide a quantitative estimate of woody shrub cover which is useful for economic assessments, as well as providing an information base upon which woody shrub management strategies can be developed. Key words: Landsat Multispectral Scanner, remote sensing, geographic information system, change detection, rangeland, monitoring, land cover.
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ELDRIDGE, D. J., and M. WESTOBY. "Recruitment and survival in Atriplex vesicaria populations in semi-arid western New South Wales, 1977–1987." Austral Ecology 16, no. 3 (September 1991): 309–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.1991.tb01059.x.
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Thums, Michele, Ian D. Hume, and Lesley A. Gibson. "Seasonal energetics of the long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) in coastal New South Wales." Australian Journal of Zoology 51, no. 2 (2003): 129. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo02076.
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Water-turnover rates and field metabolic rates were measured in long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) near Newcastle, New South Wales, over two summers and two winters. Water-turnover rates were higher in lactating than in non-lactating females, and higher in winter than in summer, possibly because of a relatively high proportion (50%) of females at or near peak lactation in one winter. There were no significant differences in field metabolic rates between seasons or among groups (males, lactating females and non-lactating females). The overall field metabolic rate of the long-nosed bandicoot was within 9% of the predicted value for a marsupial of its size, and similar to rates reported for most other bandicoots, both temperate and arid-zone species. Its overall water-turnover rate was within 18% of the predicted marsupial value, but higher than values reported for arid-zone bandicoot species. Comparison with other data indicates that seasonal changes in water-turnover rate are related to changes in reproductive status (especially lactation), as in this study, but for field metabolic rate, seasonal changes are related to changes in water status and thus productivity of the environment.
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Fanning, Patricia. "Long-term contemporary erosion rates in an arid rangelands environment in western New South Wales, Australia." Journal of Arid Environments 28, no. 3 (November 1994): 173–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0140-1963(05)80055-2.
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Macdonald, BCT. "University of New South Wales Fowlers Gap and Arid Zone Research Station - Nearly 50 years of Research." Rangeland Journal 22, no. 1 (2000): 5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj0000005.
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Downing, BH, and JC Evans. "A survey approach to evaluating the effects of management on semi-arid lands in New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 11, no. 1 (1989): 21. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9890021.
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One hundred and ten paddocks were surveyed to give an overview of the effects of management burning, grazing by cattle, goats and sheep, and protection from livestock, on major vegetation types in the rangelands. A commercial paddock scale was used to complement information previously available on dietary preferences of livestock from a few, small research sites. In this dry period study, estimates of woody and herbaceous cover were not significantly different overall among paddocks subjected to the various kinds of management. However, herbaceous cover in protected or spelled paddocks was better than in the others. Also, no significant relationships were found between woody cover and herbaceous biomass in any treatment. Despite moderate sample sizes, high coefficients of variation occurred throughout the results. These were regarded as being a true reflection of the variability between paddocks in the rangeland. Underlying differences between management types may have been masked by the heterogeneity of the paddocks within each type due to a complex history of rainfall, burning and grazing. Cluster analysis of the 110 paddocks revealed floristic (woody spp.) similarities of mulga, poplar-box, pine and some belah-rosewood woodlands, whereas saltbush and mallee were distinct. Further comparisons of management types were made on mulga woodland alone. Domestic goats were kept in the most heavily wooded paddocks and, in contrast with sheep, checked the growth of woody plants < 2m high. Woody growth recovered in the < 2m stratum several years after burning. Further evaluation of the herbaceous layer and of woody/herbaceous relationships is recommended after a wet summer.
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Fleming, PJS, and TJ Korn. "Predation of livestock by wild dogs in eastern New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 11, no. 2 (1989): 61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9890061.
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A monthly survey involving officers from eastern New South Wales Pastures Protection Boards was conducted over four years from 1982 to 1985. Information was collected on the number and type of livestock attacked within each board district, sightings of wild dogs, the number of wild dogs kiied, the method by which they were kiied and the locations at which the observations occurred. A total of 25,644 livestock animals were reported killed or wounded from four regions; the North-East Coastal Region, the North-East Tablelands Region, the Central-East Region and South-East Region. Sheep were the most commonly attacked domestic animals followed by cattle and goats. Regional differences were apparent in the type of livestock killed and seasonal patterns of predation were evident. We recommend that annual control programmes be brought forward from June/July to late April in order to precede predation peaks.
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EWART, A. "Two new genera and five new species of Mugadina-like small grass cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettini) from Central and Eastern Australia: comparative morphology, songs, behaviour and distributions." Zootaxa 4413, no. 1 (April 20, 2018): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4413.1.1.
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Moulds (2012) established the genus Mugadina for two small cicadas, M. marshalli (Distant) and M. emma (Goding and Froggatt), both grass inhabiting species known from Queensland and New South Wales. Both species are notable for their relatively simple 'ticking' songs. Moulds further noted that there were at least two superficially similar genera of cicadas, but each with different genitalia. This paper describes two new genera of small (9–15 mm body lengths) and distinctive grass cicadas with genitalia that are very similar to those of Mugadina, but possess clear morphological, colour and calling song differences. The new genera are: Heremusina n. gen. with two known species namely H. udeoecetes n. sp. and H. pipatio n. sp.; the second new genus is Xeropsalta n. gen., containing four known species, X. thomsoni n. sp., X. aridula n. sp., X. rattrayi n. sp., and X. festiva n. comb. Heremusina n. gen. species are described from the Alice Springs area of Northern Territory and the Cloncurry area of northwest Queensland, from arid to semi arid habitats. The Xeropsalta n. gen. species are described from western, southwest and central Queensland, and from the Simpson and Strzelecki Deserts in northeastern South Australia and northwestern New South Wales, respectively, all locations in very arid to arid habitats, but close to seasonal (often irregular) rivers and lakes. X. festiva n. comb. occurs in semi arid habitats in southern and southeastern Australia. Detailed taxonomic descriptions are provided of the new species, together with distributions, habitats, and the calling songs. The Heremusina species emit songs with short repetitive buzzing echemes, the echeme durations differing between each species. The Xeropsalta songs are notable for their complexity, containing multiple elements with rapid changes of amplitudes and temporal structures, rather atypical of the songs of most small grass dwelling cicadas. Detailed song structures distinguishing each of the species are illustrated and interpreted in each case in light of their respective taxonomic status.
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GRICE, A. C., and I. Barchia. "Does grazing reduce survival of indigenous perennial grasses of the semi-arid woodlands of western New South Wales?" Austral Ecology 17, no. 2 (June 1992): 195–205. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-9993.1992.tb00798.x.
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Noble, JC, RSB Greene, and WJ Muller. "Herbage Production Following Rainfall Redistribution in a Semi-Arid Mulga (Acacia Aneura) Woodland in Western New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 20, no. 2 (1998): 206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9980206.
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The effects of stocking rate (nominally ranging from 0.3 up to 0.8 dry sheep equivalents per ha) on rainfall redistribution, soil-water storage and herbage production were studied in three contiguous geomorphic zones (run-off, interception and run-on zones) in a semi-arid mulga (Acacia aneura) woodland in western New South Wales. The amount of rainfall redistribution increased directly with rainfall but there was no significant effect of stocking rate on the amount of soil-water stored in various zones. while soil-water storage differed little between zones following a minor rainfall event (11.9 mm), it was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the run-on zone following a major rainfall event (42.7 mm). The interception zone was by far the most productive herbage zone contributing a significantly (P < 0.01) disproportionate amount of forage (c. 90% of total paddock production at low stocking rates) despite this zone only occupying a relatively small proportion (c. 12%) of landscape catenae. Herbage in the interception zone principally comprised palatable C3 perennial grasses such as Thyridolepis mitchelliana (mulga grass) and Monachather paradoxa (bandicoot grass). Experimental manipulation confirmed the fundamental importance of rainfall redistribution as a landscape process mediating herbage production in these semi-arid plant communities. Dry matter production by Eragrostis eriopoda (woollybutt) was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) in the run-off zone when incident rainfall was retained in situ by metal barriers. Conversely, production by Thyridolepis mitchelliana in the lower interception zone was significantly depressed (P < 0.01) where similar barriers prevented access by overland flow. The results are discussed in the context of developing conservative management strategies designed to maintain effective landscape processes in these extensive ecosystems.
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Anderson, VJ, RB Hacker, and KC Hodgkinson. "Photographic Utilisation Standards for Three Perennial Grasses." Rangeland Journal 16, no. 1 (1994): 135. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9940135.
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Height-weight profiles were established for Monachather paradoxa, Thyridolepis rnitchelliana and Eragrostis eriopoda based on field populations from semi-arid mulga woodlands in north-western New South Wales. These profiles were subsequently used to develop photographic standards of percentage canopy remaining by weight as a guide to field assessment of the severity of grazing. Examples of the standards are presented.
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Van Jaarsveld, E. J., and A. E. Van Wyk. "HYACINTHACEAE AND CRASSULACEAE." Bothalia 33, no. 1 (September 12, 2003): 115–18. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/abc.v33i1.437.
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Saunders, G. "The Demography of Feral Pigs (Sus Scrofa) in Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales." Wildlife Research 20, no. 5 (1993): 559. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9930559.
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The demography of a sub-alpine population of feral pigs was examined at Kosciusko National Park in south-eastern New South Wales. Reproductive data and age structures indicated a seasonal pattern of breeding, most births occurring in summer and autumn. It is proposed that a decreasing availability of high protein food in the autumn and winter months caused reduced rates of conception. Sows produced 0.84 litters per year with postnatal mortality as high as 85%. The population appeared relatively stable at a density of 1.6 pigs kg-2. Hunting, although illegal in a national park, removed 4.4-15.4% of pigs each year. The overall health and body condition of pigs was good, with no evidence of heavy parasitic burdens or disease. Age-specific body weight and body length in this study were greater than those reported for pigs in semi-arid wester New South Wales.
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Dunkerley, D. L., and K. J. Brown. "Runoff and runon areas in a patterned chenopod shrubland, arid western New South Wales, Australia: characteristics and origin." Journal of Arid Environments 30, no. 1 (May 1995): 41–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0140-1963(95)80037-9.
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Holford, ICR, EJ Corbin, CL Mullen, and J. Bradley. "Effects of rainfall variability on the efficacy of soil phosphate tests for wheat on semi-arid soils." Soil Research 26, no. 1 (1988): 201. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sr9880201.
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Yield response data from 92 phosphate/nitrogen field experiments were used to evaluate and calibrate eight soil phosphate tests (Bray1, Bray2, alkaline fluoride, Mehlich, Truog, lactate, Olsen and Colwell) on semi-arid wheat-growing soils of central New South Wales. The effects of some aspects of year-to-year variability in rainfall characteristics on the efficacy and critical values of soil tests were also investigated. The order of efficacy of the soil tests was similar to that on the central western slopes (57 experiments) and northern region (48 experiments) of New South Wales. Lactate was not only the most effective test, but it was the only test that had the same critical value (18 mg kg-1) for the three regions. The actual efficacy of most soil tests in this semi-arid region was lower; apparently because the year-to-year variability in the annual average rainfall was greater than in the other two regions. Some or all of the soil tests were significantly related to yield responsiveness in three of the five individual years (1966-70) of the experimental period. In the other two years, relationships were vitiated by either semi-drought conditions (1967) or late frosts (1969). In 1970, when rainfall conditions were most favourable to yield response, average response curvature was lower and soil test critical values were higher than in the other years.
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Burgess, DMN. "The economics of prescribed burning for shrub control in the semi-arid woodlands of north-west New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 10, no. 1 (1988): 48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9880048.
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Costs and benefits of prescribed buming for shrub control in a representative 2000 ha paddock are estimated, based on anecdotal and survey data collected from graziers in the Western Division. For a hypothetical paddock, two bums were assumed to take place during the space of seven years. Costs include those for constructing firebreaks and controlling the fire. In particular circumstances, income from grazing may be foregone when "spelling" the paddock prior to the bum, and also after the bum until rainfall has induced the regrowth and seeding of pasture. Benefits from prescribed buming include increased livestock production, primarily through higher lamb weaning percentages and wool cuts from the self-replacing Merino flock, reduced mustering time and improved surveillance of livestock, resulting in better control of pests such as blowflies, lice, feral pigs and foxes. Capital value of the land is also improved. Cash flows over a 20 year period indicate that prescribed burning for shrub control is profitable. Despite this, users should carefully assess the maximum area that property cash flows will allow for setting aside to bum when an appropriate season allows.
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Waudby, H. P., and T. How. "An additional record of the dusky hopping mouse Notomys fuscus in South Australia." Australian Mammalogy 30, no. 1 (2008): 47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/am08006.
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The dusky hopping mouse (Notomys fuscus) is present in the arid areas of South Australian, north-west New South Wales and south-west Queensland. In October-November 2007 during the seventh year of annual fauna monitoring on the Beverley mine lease, north of Lake Frome, 4 animals were detected. The closest known population is 70 km north-east. Heavy rainfall earlier in the year may have contributed to their presence.
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Casanova, Michelle T., and Margaret A. Brock. "Charophyte Occurrence, Seed Banks and Establishment in Farm Dams in New South Wales." Australian Journal of Botany 47, no. 3 (1999): 437. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt97099.
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Farm dams are an important and common water resource in rural Australia. They provide relatively permanent surface water for stock and wildlife. They typically have high turbidity and high levels of disturbance by stock. The occurrence of charophytes in these water bodies was examined, as well as the conditions under which they germinated and established. Charophytes were found in 15% of 65 farm dams surveyed in two regions in New South Wales, Australia. However, charophytes germinated from 64.5% of farm dam seed banks sampled (n = 17). Species found were Chara australis R.Br., C. fibrosa Agardh ex Bruzelius, C. globularis Thuillier, C. muelleri A.Br., Nitella cristata A.Br. and N. tasmanica A.Br. Farm dams in which charophytes were found both in the survey and in the seed bank had lower turbidity, lower dissolved phosphorus levels and more extensive submerged plant communities than average. Charophytes established from the seed banks under experimentally induced water regimes when high water clarity was maintained and the disturbance of stock grazing was removed. Farm dams can support populations of perennial and annual charophyte species, and provide a habitat that is less available in naturally occurring shallow water bodies of the regions.
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Khairo, S. A., R. B. Hacker, T. L. Atkinson, and G. L. Turnbull. "Alternative strategies for management of feral goats: implications for natural resource management policies in New South Wales rangelands." Rangeland Journal 35, no. 2 (2013): 201. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj13020.
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Feral goats (Capra hircus) are increasing in abundance and distribution in the semi-arid and arid rangelands of New South Wales, and elsewhere in the southern rangelands. They present a conundrum for natural resource managers and policy-makers as they can be both an agricultural and environmental pest and an economic resource for landholders. This paper presents an economic analysis of a range of alternative approaches to feral goat management and assesses their implications for natural resource management policies. ‘Opportunistic harvesting’ and ‘value-added’ strategies (the latter involving use of a paddock to increase the liveweight of feral goats before slaughter for meat) returned positive net benefits to landholders, whereas the strategy of ‘no management’ resulted in a negative net benefit if the overall stocking rate was held constant. The erection of goat-proof boundary fencing to enhance production from domestic livestock generated negative net benefits unless increases in stocking rates of domestic livestock could be achieved within the exclusion fencing through improved grazing management. The use of goat-proof fencing to establish an individual paddock for domestic livestock production returned positive net benefit for landholders but also required increases in domestic stocking rate to be competitive with the best feral goat harvesting strategy. The ‘opportunistic harvesting’ and ‘value added’ strategies are thus likely to be adopted by producers without financial incentive and could result in positive resource conservation outcomes if goat prices encourage harvesting. The ‘no management’ strategy will most likely promote resource degradation and should be discouraged. Strategies involving goat-proof fencing are likely to provide positive net benefits for landholders and achieve positive natural resource outcomes if associated with improved grazing management, and reduced density of feral goats outside the exclusion fencing. It is concluded that resource conservation benefits of feral goat control strategies may be positive, negative, or neutral depending on the management strategy adopted, the extent of goat-proof fencing, and the price of meat from feral goats. It is, therefore, difficult to rely on the commercial harvesting of feral goats to achieve resource conservation objectives. Public funds could be better used to support education and training in grazing management and provide incentives for achievement of measurable natural resource outcomes than to support infrastructure establishment for the harvesting of feral goats on private properties.
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Roshier, DA, and I. Barchia. "Relationships Between Sheep Production, Stocking Rate and Rainfall on Commercial Sheep Properties in Western New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 15, no. 1 (1993): 79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9930079.
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Historical sheep production and rainfall data from 14 properties in semi-arid western New South Wales were analysed for relationships between wool production, lamb marking percentage, stocking rate and rainfall. Twelve of the properties were located on predominantly chenopod shrubland (Atriplex spp. and Maireana spp.) and two on mulga (Acacia aneura) land types. The relationship between wool production per head (WOOLHD, kg greasylsheep) and rainfall (RF, mmlyear) was similar on 10 of the 11 properties with wool production and rainfall data. This was so despite differences in vegetation type and average stocking rate. The generality of this relationship suggests that wool production per head is largely determined by a common, rainfall related factor operating over a wide range of management regimes. Stocking rates did not have a significant effect on wool production per head on the majority of properties. Data from the above properties were combined to generate the following generalised equation: -29.43 - WOOLHD = 7.5 lexp RF R~ =35.72 (P<0.01) Wool production per hectare was largely determined by stocking rate on most properties. No consistent relationship between lamb marking percentage and when rain fell could be found. However, rainfall in the period between joining and lamb marking was significant on six properties. It is concluded that total wool production is largely determined by stock numbers. The data suggests animal productivity is more dependent on management responses to dry periods and the rate of change in forage availability in the absence of rain.
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Casanova, Michelle T., Annabel Douglas-Hill, Margaret A. Brock, Monika Muschal, and Michael Bales. "Farm ponds in New South Wales, Australia: relationship between macrophyte and phytoplankton abundances." Marine and Freshwater Research 48, no. 4 (1997): 353. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf96131.
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The physical, chemical and biological characteristics of 65 farm ponds in the Northern Tablelands and Central Western Slopes regions of New South Wales, Australia, were similar to those recorded for Australian ponds in other studies. The strongest single relationship between physico-chemical characteristics and biological characteristics was for high abundance of phytoplankton, low abundance of macrophytes, high turbidity, and high nutrient concentrations in ponds on granitic soil. Variation among the ponds was such that no other relationship was significant. Five groups of ponds were discerned on the basis of their biological and physico-chemical characteristics. One group could be classed as reasonably ‘pristine’, with high water clarity and high abundance of macrophytes; another group presented highly eutrophic, phytoplankton-dominated conditions. Ponds in these two groups can be described as being in ‘alternative stable states’. A third group had been modified with the intention of improving the appearance or utility of the ponds. The last two groups identified in this analysis had no specific parallels in the literature. Abundance of macrophytes was related to good water quality, and encouragement of increased abundance of submerged plants in farm ponds could result in improved water quality.
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Clancy, TF, and DB Croft. "Home Range of the Common Wallaroo, Macropus-Robustus-Erubescens, in Far Western New South Wales." Wildlife Research 17, no. 6 (1990): 659. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9900659.
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Aspects of the home range and space-use patterns of the common wallaroo or euro (Macropus robustus erubescens) were studied over a three year period in arid New South Wales. Thirty-five adults (19 males and 16 females) were captured and fitted with radio-transmitters and their movements followed. The home ranges of the majority of animals were significantly different from that of a bivariate normal distribution, indicating a heterogeneity of space use. Home ranges were small and essentially stable over time. There were significant differences between the sexes in all parameters of home range measured due to differences in ecological and social requirements. Males had significantly larger weekly home ranges in winter than females (77.2 +/- 47.5 ha and 30.5 +/- 16.5 ha, respectively) but in summer home ranges were similar (30.2 +/- 20.4 ha and 27.6 +/- 15.0 ha). On a yearly basis males ranged over an area approximately three times the size of that used by females. Yearly home-range size in males was positively correlated with body size when conditions were poor.
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Read, DG. "Habitat Use by Sminthopsis-Crassicaudata, Planigale-Gilesi and Planigale-Tenuirostris (Marsupialia, Dasyuridae) in Semiarid New-South-Wales." Wildlife Research 14, no. 4 (1987): 385. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr9870385.
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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.
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Pressey, RL. "Nature Conservation in Rangelands: Lessons From Research on Reserve Selection in New South Wales." Rangeland Journal 14, no. 2 (1992): 214. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9920214.
Full textAbstract:
Information on the features to be protected in a system of conservation reserves is an obvious requirement. The quality of the data base will primarily determine the effectiveness of conservation planning in protecting the full range of natural features in a region. However, the way in which data are used to make decisions on the locations of protected areas is also critical. Rigorous procedures for reserve selection can make the difference between achieving reservation goals or not. Research on reserve selection in New South Wales over recent years has concerned both data bases and procedures for guiding decisions. Reserve planning in many regions is based largely on some form of land classification like vegetation types or land systems. There are good reasons for using such land classes to guide the selection of reserves and to judge their representativeness. Nevertheless, they can have considerable limitations as a basis for protecting all the species in a region. These limitations are reviewed with references to more detailed discussions of particular issues. The paper also reviews a variety of procedures for selecting reserves which have been tested and applied in New South Wales. Some of the recent procedures are conceptually simple but very useful in identifying the requirements of reservation goals and demonstrating the options available to planners for representing particular features. Three principles are proposed which should underpin any attempt at systematic conservation planning.
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Robson, AD. "The Effects of Grazing Exclusion and Blade-Ploughing on Semi-Arid Woodland Vegetation in North-Western New South Wales Over 30 Months." Rangeland Journal 17, no. 2 (1995): 111. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/rj9950111.
Full textAbstract:
Inedible native shrubs are considered to be a primary cause of lost pastoral productivity in the semi- arid woodlands of north-western New South Wales. Most rehabilitation programs have focussed on reducing shrub density. In recent years blade-ploughs have been tested for this purpose. Results have been variable and most programs have brought neither lasting shrub control nor improved production for pastoralism over the medium to long term. Failure to control grazing after initial treatment is suspected as one reason for the low success rate. An experiment involving blade-ploughing and grazing exclusion was established in July 1990 in sandplains supporting semi-arid woodlands, near Bourke New South Wales (NSW). The treatment factors were crossed and each was imposed at two levels: present and absent. Shrub density, pasture composition and pasture biomass variables were selected and measured before, and over a 30 month period following treatment. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA. The densities of Eremophila sturtii, E. deserti, E. gilesii and Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima as well as that of 'Total shrubs', all increased after ploughing, irrespective of the presence or absence of grazing. In all cases except that of E, sturtii, there was no significant difference between shrub density in ploughed and unploughed plots 30 months after treatment. While E. sturtii density increased significantly to begin with, it remained significantly lower in ploughed plots compared to unploughed plots at the end of the study period. This suggests that blade-ploughing offered only temporary control of these shrubs on this land type. Pasture biomass was significantly greater in ploughed/ungrazed plots (1300 kg/ha) compared with other treatments at the end of the study. Ploughed/ungrazed plots were the only ones where fuel had accumulated to a level which offered any possibility of burning to control shrub regeneration. The same treatment also contained a significantly greater proportion of desirable pasture species than any other treatment at the end of the study period.