1. Environmental issues Australia’s rivers and landscapes are under threat from rising salinity. Many people feel that salinity is the most serious environmental threat to productive land and waterways CSIRO Fact sheet salinity October 2008 http://www.csiro.au/files/files/p myj.pdf http://www.csiro.au/files/files/p myj.pdf © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

2. CSIRO Land and water The impact of salinity on land for primary production © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

3. CSIRO Land and water Salinity and its impact biodiversity © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

4. CSIRO Land and water Impact of salinity on the health of rivers and streams – may become too salty for humans and animals to drink © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

5. Land degradation : soil erosion Severe wind storms blow the top soil from the paddock removing the nutrient rich layer and reducing the productivity of the soil. © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

6. Managing soil erosion: planting wind breaks Farmers can plant wind breaks to reduce soil erosion. These trees also protect stock from extreme weather conditions. © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

7. Managing soil erosion: no-till farming techniques No-till farming techniques retain crop stubble after harvest reducing wind and soil erosion. Direct drilling of seed is used to plant the next year’s crop so that the top soil is not disturbed exposing it to wind erosion. © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

8. Managing the use of chemicals Aerial spraying is used to spay herbicides and pesticides on broad acre crops such as wheat. © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

9. Managing the use of chemicals The run-off and drift from aerial spraying can contaminate rivers causing the development of blue- green algae. © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

10. Locusts swarm in the mallee Insect pests such as locusts devastate crops. Farmers may be forced to use chemical sprays to eradicate these pests and protect their crops. © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

11. locusts destroy crops Reduce chemical use by monitoring crops to determine whether spraying is required to reduce insect pests such as locusts © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

12. Organic farming Natural systems include: Pest management – Natural insect predators including ladybird to eat insect pests Companion planting – Garlic planted between tomatoes to ward off pests Fertilisers – Use of natural, non-synthetic, organic fertilisers – animal manures – Organic fertilisers may be produced from organic materials on the farm © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011

13. Organic farming The following links explain organic farming methods The Organic Farming Tour Australia is available from: www.overlander.tv Starting point: 48.07 Downloadable for $11.95 The Chambers family of Fernleigh Farms near Daylesford who farm organic vegetables, beef and grazing pigs (we will look at this in class) © Glenis Heath and Laurel Tully 2011