Forested catchments produce much of Australia's
water. Maintenance of the quality and quantity of this water is
therefore of considerable importance to the community. Changes to
forest cover have the potential to alter catchment water balance,
and there are community fears that forestry operations such as
harvesting and fertilisation can pose a threat to water quality,
stream morphology and aquatic habitat. While there has been a
significant body of research into these issues in recent years,
there remains a series of knowledge gaps. It is crucial that the
relationships between biophysical processes and forest management
practices are well understood and best-practice management is
developed.
Research projects are underway in four states to
answer some of the key questions being asked of the forest
industry.
The overall aim of this project is an improved
ability to predict water quantity and quality responses to a range
of forestry practices.
The project works to close key research gaps in
current forest-based hydrologic analyses. The research program will
build largely on the strengths of long-term experimental sites and
explicit connection with industry management practices. Not all
combinations of species/environment/management practices can be
addressed experimentally. Consequently, the aim is to gain insights
into biophysical processes and responses at sites where rigorous
results are most likely, and to use these insights to develop
portable modelling techniques for general application.
The principal research areas of the water
project are:
- water yield from native forests and plantations under a range
of environments and management options
- development of best management practices to protect water
quality, stream morphology and aquatic habitats from harvesting and
control burning
- commercial forestry in the riparian zones of farms for
environmental and economic benefits.
Outputs of the water project are:
- improved capability to model the effect of forestry activities
on catchment water balances and stream health
- greater knowledge of silvicultural practices on water use to
inform community debate
- best management practices for maintenance of water quality and
quantity values.
Research activities are coordinated by Dr
Patrick Lane, and research is conducted at:
-
University of Melbourne
-
Forest Products Commission, Western
Australia
-
Forest Practices Authority, Tasmania
-
Forestry Tasmania
-
CSIRO/Ensis
-
University of Tasmania.
