Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Solving problems on a salinity demonstration site
A salinity management demonstration project near Childers has been facing problems getting rid of excess water.
The demonstration site is at the lowest level of a sugar cane farm, part of which owners made available for the project. The fifteen year old site was developed during the Decade of Landcare by the Isis Landcare Group in close association with local schools.
"We wanted to demonstrate to landholders in Isis Shire how planting trees could help them lower the water table and reduce salinity," said Wayne Stanley of Isis Landcare.
However, despite some good tree growth, there were still problems with water logging and rising salt levels. As a result, a second phase of the project evolved, aimed at reviewing and modifying the demonstration site.
Funding
The Australian Government contributed $3,400 to the first phase of the project plus a further $10,400 for the second phase. Isis schoolchildren and landcare volunteers were actively involved in planting and maintaining the site, together with the landholder.
The Queensland Government has also provided assistance.
Activities
The demonstration site was originally established on 1.6 hectares of salt scalded low level land prone to water logging. The aim was to plant trees lower in the landscape to take up excess water and stop land further up the slope from degrading.
"If we don't address the issues at the bottom, then the problems will go to the top," said Wayne.
Salt tolerant trees such as Swamp and River She Oaks, River Red Gum, Lemon Scented Gum and Swamp Mahogany were planted on mounds to keep their roots out of the water.
Pooling of water in between the mounds continued however, resulting in rising salt levels which killed even some of the salt tolerant grasses planted between the mounds.
"With this next phase of the project we put in some drainage," said Wayne. "We hope to be able to remove the water when it is still fresh before salt builds up.
"We will also be reviewing species planted and replacing poorer performing plants."
Achievements
The Landcare Group believes it has learned from the problems it faced.
"As it has turned out, this was a good site to have chosen, as we have had to explore ways to overcome the water pooling problems," said Wayne. "Next time we would make sure we put in extra drainage."
More information
- Wayne Stanley, Secretary, Isis Landcare Group Inc: (07) 4126 1444
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