Current restoration projects

Biodiverse Carbon

Project: "A closer look at the biodiversity benefits of 'biodiverse carbon'"; project, funded by the State NRM Program.

Details: The aims of this study were to:

• Test whether there are differences in bird richness, abundance and community composition between remnant, revegetation and monoculture plantings.
• Seek to link attributes of vegetation (composition and structure) with habitat preferences of individual bird species and guilds/functional groups.
• Relate sampled ecological indicators to measures of carbon sequestration and biomass production.

Purpose: To quantify the biodiversity component of "biodiverse carbon" plantings so as to inform investment in this emerging market.

The Biodiversity Benefits of ‘Biodiverse Carbon’ - brochure

How can planted woody perennial vegetation enhance native biodiversity?

Project: "How can planted woody perennial vegetation enhance native biodiversity?" project, funded by Complementary State NRM Program.

Details: The aims of this study were to:

• Improve spatial mapping of planted woody perennials in the SA Murray Darling Basin NRM Board region
• Assess the value of planted fodder shrubs for native fauna (using birds and invertebrates)
• Build community knowledge of the biodiversity value of planted woody perennials

Purpose: To enhance knowledge of the biodiversity value of planted woody perennial vegetation so as to inform the extent to which such plantings associated with next generation farming systems can contribute to regional NRM and biodiversity targets.

Biodiversity value of saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) plantings in mixed farming landscapes of the Southern Mallee, South Australia - technical report by Stuart Collard, Andrew Fisher and David McKenna

Production perennials for biodiversity

Project: "Production perennials for biodiversity - resource connectivity" as a partner in the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre.

Details: This project involves a series of sub-projects that examine whether saltbush plantings can improve the persistence of native fauna.

• Resource connectivity sub-project - to what extent do saltbush plantings contribute to the survival and reproductive success of selected bird species in the SA Murray Mallee? (the department and University of Adelaide)
• Functional connectivity sub-project - do different spatial arrangements of saltbush plantings influence the dispersal of the sleepy lizard relative to conventional farming systems and mallee woodland remnants? (CSIRO and University of Adelaide)

Purpose: To develop biodiversity management guidelines for saltbush plantings in the SA Murray Mallee and assess implications for production perennials in southern Australian agro-ecological systems.

Shrub-based plantings of woody perennial vegetation in temperate Australian agricultural landscapes: What benefits for native biodiversity? - paper by Stuart Collard and Andrew Fisher

Planted saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) and its value for birds in farming landscapes of the South Australian Murray Mallee - paper by Stuart Collard, Andrew Fisher, David McKenna

Visit Future Farm Industries CRC.

Climate Change, Communities and Environment

Project: "Climate Change, Communities and Environment" project, funded by the Premier's Science Research Fund

Details: The department is a partner in project led by the University of Adelaide which brings together a multi-agency team to identify those conservation areas and land use practices that are most at risk from adverse effects of climate change. Importantly, this project will identify adaptation strategies and policy options to support planning and implementation by regional natural resource management agencies. This project includes the Eyre Peninsula NRM Board and SA Murray Darling Basin NRM Board as key partners to facilitate the integration of the project outcomes into natural resource management processes.

Purpose: Building research capability to identify climate change vulnerability and adaptation options for South Australian landscapes.

Visit the Landscape Science Cluster.