Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001
Australian agriculture assessment 2001
National Land and Water Resources Audit, 2001
In context
Landscapes processes and productivity
Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001 reports on landscape processes, soil, nutrient and water movement and serves as a key input towards improved land and water resources management.
Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001:
- shows how and to what extent agriculture has changed water and nutrient balances;
- assesses nutrient inputs and outputs from agriculture and the implications for nutrient management on-farm;
- forecasts the impact of soil acidification on agricultural soils and productivity;
- presents the first comprehensive assessment of water-borne erosion and sediment transport for Australia's agricultural catchments and rivers and highlights implications for soil, river and estuary management;
- presents river nutrient budgets and changes for nitrogen and phosphorus;
- describes characteristics of Australia's soils that influence production, and soil and landscape processes;
- highlights the progress of agricultural industries in meeting natural resource challenges; and
- identifies key components of land condition monitoring so that natural resource changes and outcomes can be measured in the future.
Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001 has drawn on a number of other Audit activities. This report should be read in conjunction with these assessments.
Dryland salinity. Assessment of the extent of, and management options for, dryland salinity are presented in Australian Dryland Salinity Assessment 2000. To address dryland salinity, for example, Australia needs to make major changes in water balance in many catchments. This will require changes in agricultural land use patterns and land management activities so that targets for protection of downstream land and water resources are met. Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001 details related natural resource issues that must also be taken into account.
Economic returns and costs of resource use. Major opportunities to increase economic activity, and at the same time enhance environmental and social benefits are generated by water resources through water resource development and improved water use efficiency. Assessment of economic returns of agriculture and impacts and costs of resource change will be presented as part of the Australians and natural resource management 2001 report. Australians and natural resource management 2001 builds on Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001 and Australian Dryland Salinity Assessment 2000 to provide the social and economic context for the next phase of natural resource management in Australia.
Vegetation and biodiversity. Integrating native vegetation and biodiversity management objectives with agricultural development and practice is clearly an important issue for the future of Australian agriculture. The Audit's Landscape health in Australia, Australian Native Vegetation Assessment 2001 and Australian Biodiversity Assessment (due for release in 2002) provide important baseline information on the extent, threats and condition of Australia's natural assets. This information will help government and industry to set priorities for activities to achieve ecologically sustainable development.
Catchment, river and estuary impacts. While sediment and nutrient loads are reported as part of Australian Agriculture Assessment 2001, the ecological impact of the changes to hydrology, habitat, sediment and nutrient regimes will be presented as part of the Australian Catchment, Rivers, Estuary Assessment 2001 report.
Access to data and information. Government and public alike seek improved and more accessible information on our natural resources. Access to information increases opportunities for informed debate. Audit activities have improved access to natural resources information through internet and database technology. The National Land and Water Audit's Australian Natural Resources Atlas provides access to summary data and information at national, State and regional scales as well as an access point to project documentation underpinning this summary report.
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