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 the
relationships between biophysical processes and forest management
practices are well understood and best-practice management
developed.
A series of research projects is
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 programme
will build largely on the strengths of long term experimental sites
and explicit connection with industry management practices. It is
recognised that all combinations of species/environment/management
practices cannot 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 co-ordinated 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
