Project Summary
Management of Riparian Land in Tasmania
Management of Riparian Land in Tasmania
(2007-2010)
Funding Department of Environment, Heritage,
Water and the Arts
Investigators/researchers: Prof Allan Curtis,
Dr Digby Race, Royce Sample and Simon
McDonald (all ILWS)
ILWS Strategic Research Area Social Research
for Regional Natural Resource Management
Description:
CSU social researchers contributed to a large
integrated project exploring the assumed
relationships between recommended property
management practices and the ecological
functions of riparian areas in six Tasmanian
catchments.
Key findings were:
Contrary to expectation, non-farmers comprised
the majority of riparian landholders and owned
most of the land surveyed, and while they had
strong conservation values, few had been
engaged in natural resource management (NRM)
programs. This finding suggests there is
considerable scope to engage landholders in
additional work. The study also found that while
riparian areas are highly valued by landholders,
they are seen as difficult to manage with any
activity being heavily scrutinized. Many
landholders are concerned that recommended
practices such as fencing and stock exclusion add
to the complexity of property management.
As a result of these concerns, about half
of those surveyed who have removed willows, a
dominant invasive exotic species, have not
replaced them with endemic vegetation. Given
that the river health research in Landscape Logic
found that shading is a critical factor in restoring
ecological condition, public investment in willow
removal may be having a perverse ecological
outcome.
Outputs:
The results of this research have been presented
at workshops with staff from regional NRM
organisations and the lead Tasmanian NRM
agency. A summary brochure/fact sheet has been
produced and two peer-reviewed technical reports
and a book chapter have been published.
Outcomes:
The Tasmanian regional NRM organizations have
indicated that they are acting on the key findings
from this research.
Jordon River showing effects on banks of unrestricted
grazing and no PPA action (non-adoption of fencing
CRP and no rabbit control) (Photo: R. Sample)
CONTACT:
Prof Allan Curtis
CSU Albury-Wodonga
[email protected]
January 2011