The Pilbara region of WA alone contributes about $10 billion in export earnings from mining iron ore. The industry is expanding in the region with many new prospects being developed. While each project is assessed for its environmental impact separately, it is apparent that in rangeland environments with many mines in close proximity, there may be cumulative impacts of altered hydrology on regional landscape values. Activities and infrastructures that can change surface and groundwater conditions include dewatering, abstraction, waste dumps, linear infrastructure, evaporative ponds and mine voids. In the Pilbara, specific impacts on water dependent biodiversity are linked to mine dewatering and discharge of groundwater to surface water systems. ...
Anderson, L., van Klinken, R. D., and Shepherd, D. (2008). Aerially surveying Mesquite (Prosopis spp.) in the Pilbara. In: 'A Climate of Change in the Rangelands. Proceedings of the 15th Australian Rangeland Society Biennial Conference'. (Ed. D. Orr) 4 pages. (Australian Rangeland Society: Australia).
Full-text publications from the Australian Rangelands Society (ARS) Biennial Conference Proceedings (1997-), Rangeland Journal (ARS/CSIRO; 1976-), plus videos and other resources about the rangelands of Australia.