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Put your money where success has been – a rapid review of interventions to improve pastoral land condition in the southern rangelands of Western Australia
Author
Penny, NR
Williams, AR
Publisher
XII International Rangeland Congress
Publication Year
2025
Body

The paper reports on a six-day study trip of rangeland regeneration efforts implemented between 1984-99 in the Goldfields Region of Western Australia (WA). Results of land regeneration efforts have been influenced by the extent and severity of degradation, fragility of soil type, episodic flooding and drought, and the degree of total grazing pressure (TGP) control. Locally endemic p lant species fared better than sown native species. The long-term effect of cultivation has been variable as have the benefits of shallow water ponding. The benefit of any cultivation has depended on the proximity of seed source areas of native species. Plant establishment has been improved where the water ponding has made the surface soil more sodic and cracked. Deeper, longer-lasting ponding behind bulldozer-built banks has been effective in rehabilitating rangelands. A small study of fracturing hardpan with explosives has shown benefits. Measurement of Mulga (Acacia aneura) trees planted in water-ponded areas has allowed an assessment of mean annual increments of carbon that could inform future carbon farming initiatives in the rangelands.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Additional Information
This paper is part of the larger XII International Rangelands Congress Proceedings. Page Numbers: 781-786. Theme: Theme 4 / Water ecology and management in rangelands
ISSN
978-0-646-72121-7
Conference Name
International Rangeland Congress
Collection
International Rangelands Congress
Keywords
regeneration techniques
evaluation
WA Goldfields