Project Title
How much water is leaking from agricultural systems – measurements and solutions
Project Supervisor
Mr Mark Silburn
Funding Body
GRDC
Administration Contact
Mr Jack Stanson
External Funds Manager – GRDC projects
Telephone: 07 3896 9420 Facsimile: 07 3896 9679
jack.stanson@dnr.qld.gov.au
Commencement Date
1 July 2001
Completion Date
30 June 2006
Research Proposal Summary
This proposal addresses priorities identified in the DNR Initiative “Advancing the understanding and management of salinity in Queensland”. The NSW Government, through DLWC, is initiating measurement and modelling of 2-D water balance at hill slope scale at some 8 sites across NSW (NSW State Salinity Strategy). This project will undertakes imilar studies, methodologies and modelling techniques at sites in the northern cropping zone and maintain close working relationships with the NSW project.
Aims
· Quantify the water balance (runoff, ET, drainage) and its variability and trend over time, for dryland and irrigated agricultural systems using native vegetation as a reference system, on landt ypes considered at risk of contributing to groundwater and salinity problems, poor water use efficiency and/or off-site water quality impacts.
· Develop management solutions for water balance if/where problems are identified.
· Improve capabilities for direct andi ndirect measurement, and prediction of water balance, including estimation of the uncertainty associated with these predictions, at soil profile/paddock scales.
Potential Outcomes
· More efficient use of water for productive purposes in agricultural purposes with reduced off-site impacts.
· Reduced uncertainty about potential problems in agricultural systems.
Milestones
Budget
Resource Requirements & Contributions
Prior Provision of IP & Rights of Ownership
Ownership, equity in and use of IP to be developed
Rights of Publication
Strategic Plan Goal No.
Relevance to Strategic Plan