Regions Of Eastern Australia Research Articles

Soil and water quality at different scales: proceedings of the workshop: "soil and water quality at different scales", held 7-9 August 1996, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Preface. Part I: Keynotes. 1. Soil and water quality at different scales: concepts, challenges, conclusions and recommendations J. Bouma, et al. 2. Relevance of scale dependent approaches for integrating biophysical and socio-economic information and development of agroecological indicators J. Dumanski, et al. 3. Scale issues in agroecological research chains R.J. Wagenet. 4. Obtaining soil and land quality indicators using research chains and geostatistical methods M.R. Hoosbeek, J. Bouma. 5. Some considerations on methods for spatially aggregating and disaggregating soil information A.B. McBratney. Part II: Agroecological and Hydrological Case Studies. 6. Small scale variability in the flow of water and solutes, and implications for lysimeter studies of solute leaching L.P. Simmonds, S. Nortcliff. 7. Solute transport at the pedon and polypedon scales D.E. Radcliffe, et al. 8. Space-time upscaling of plot-based research information: frost tillage H.M. van Es, et al. 9. Mapping and interpreting soil textural layers to assess agri-chemical movement at several scales along the eastern seaboard (USA) T. Steenhuis, et al. 10. Status and trends of soil salinity at different scales: the case for the irrigated cotton growing region of eastern Australia I.O.A. Odeh, et al. 11. Investigating soil and groundwater quality at different scales in a forested catchment: the Waldstein case study G. Lischeid, et al. 12. Slope deposits and water paths in a spring catchment, Frankenwald, Bavaria, Germany K. Arno, et al. 13. Hydromorphic soils, hydrology and water quality: spatialdistribution and functional modelling at different scales P. Curmi, et al. 14. Upscaling a simple erosion model from small areas to a large region D. King, et al. 15. Research on soil fertility decline in tropical environments: integration of spatial scales J.J. Stoorvogel, E.M.A. Smaling. 16. Soil absorbing complex properties of Russian boreal soils and its dependence on the spatial scale of study area J.L. Meshalkina, et al. 17. The influence of nitrate reduction strategies on the temporal development of the nitrate pollution of soil and groundwater throughout Germany: a regionally differentiated case study F. Wendland, et al. 18. Food supply capacity study at global scale J.J.R. Groot, et al. Part III: Methods for Scale Transfer. 19. Upscaling hydraulic conductivity: theory and examples from geohydrological studies M.F.P. Bierkens, J.W.J. van der Gaast. 20. Modelling cadmium accumulation at a regional scale in the Netherlands A. Tiktak, et al. 21. The use of upscaling procedures in the application of soil acidification models at different spatial scales W. de Vries, et al. Part IV: Review Papers. 22. Modelling concepts and their relation to the scale of the problem T.M. Addiscott. 23. Prediction error through modelling concepts and uncertainty from basic data M.J.W. Jansen. 24. Uncertainty analysis in environmental modelling under a change of spatial scale G.B.M. Heuvelink. Part V: Extended Poster Abstracts -- Short Communications. 25. Regression model to predict travel time for chloride leaching through pedons using soil morphological characteristics R. Hatano.

The Evolution of Races ofPhytophthora sojaein Australia

Isolates of Phytophthora sojae collected between 1979 and 1993 from three soybean-growing regions in eastern Australia and the United States were characterized for virulence and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs). A total of 99 isolates were characterized: 84 from Australia and 15 from the United States. In the Australian population of P. sojae, five races (1, 4, 13, 15, and X) were identified. Five RFLP probes were selected that detected 30 fragments, of which 7 were polymorphic, leading to the identification of three multilocus RFLP genotypes amongst the Australian isolates. One multilocus RFLP genotype occurred in over 95% of all samples collected throughout the soybean-growing regions of eastern Australia. The 15 isolates obtained from the United States represented 12 races; the five RFLP probes detected 31 fragments, of which 13 were polymorphic, corresponding to 12 multilocus RFLP genotypes. The low levels of genotypic diversity (2.5 to 14.3%) observed in Australian fl sojae populations compared to the high level (60%) observed in the U.S. population indicates that the Australian population was most likely established by a single introduction of the pathogen. All five races in Australia occurred in the same multilocus RFLP genotype, suggesting that new races in Australia evolve from a common genetic background through mutation.

Isolation of serotype 1 Marek's disease viruses from vaccinated Australian flocks

Field samples were received for Marek's disease virus (MDV) isolation from clinically affected flocks from several regions of Eastern Australia. Lymphocytes were fractionated in Ficoll-Paque and passaged once or twice in chicken embryo kidney cultures. Serotype-specific virus was detected in infected cultures by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies. Serotype 1 MDV was isolated from 10 flocks. In samples from 5 of these flocks, serotype 2 and 3 vaccine viruses were isolated from the same specimen. In a parallel study, plasmas obtained during lymphocyte isolation were tested for antibodies to MDVs by agar gel precipitin (AGP) tests using serotype 1 and 3 antigen extracts. No correlation was observed between the rate of virus isolation and AGP positivity. The AGP test was incapable of discriminating between the different MDV serotypes.

Protasparagus densiflorus: an environmental weed of coastal vegetation reserves

Protasparagus densiflorus, a native of southern Africa, has become established in Australian coastal vegetation from Noosa Heads to Batehaven, a range of at least 1 200 km of the coast of eastern Australia. Plants fruit prolifically, the seeds have no endogenous dormancy, and are viable while the fruit is still immature. Germination is retarded in the light when compared with that in the dark, but temperature fluctuations appear not to influence germination rates. When exposed to a 9�C day-night temperature variation germination was successful in the range of minimum temperatures from 9� to 26�C, with an apparent optimum at 23�C. Temperatures suited to germination are therefore available to the species in every month of the year in a coastal subtropical climate. Tubers formed on the roots of seedlings 9?14 days after germination. Tubers increased the probability of plants surviving air-dry for six days on plants which were 16 days old. Detailed studies in two small coastal conservation reserves in southeastern Queensland showed different distribution patterns. Dispersal of the species appears to be anthropogenic, by birds and perhaps by lizards. Protasparagus densiflorus is a threat to the conservation value of coastal vegetation in some of the most densely populated regions of eastern Australia.

Survey of use and management of Lotus pedunculatus cv. Grasslands Maku in eastern Australia

A telephone survey of district agronomists and a postal survey of farmers known to have had experience with Lotus pedunculatus cv. Grasslands Maku were conducted in eastern Australia in 1990 with the objectives of determining the present use of Maku in eastern Australia, and documenting management practices and problems of Maku pastures. The data from the survey were used as an aid in identifying research needs relating to Maku, the results of which may overcome problems associated with Maku's wider adoption and use. Fourteen district agronomists were interviewed, and of the 100 questionnaires sent to farmers, 70 valid returns were received. The area sown to Maku along the coastal regions of eastern Australia increased from 100 ha in 1984 to 5500 ha in 1990. The main use of Maku was in beef enterprises; there was a lesser, but still substantial, use in the dairy sector. Maku was sown over a wide range of soil conditions. In the dairy sector it was most commonly reported to be sown on poorly drained, waterlogged soils (57% of respondents), followed by infertile and acidic soils. In beef systems it was sown into a combination of low pH and infertile soils (42%). The district agronomists were unsure of the feed value of Maku. However, there was a high level of satisfaction among the farmers, with 87% of beef farmers and 75% of dairy farmers reporting its feed value to be equal to, or better than, white clover. All beef farmers intended to establish larger areas over their properties, whereas 21% of dairy farmers surveyed did not intend to expand their sowing of Maku pastures. From the results of both surveys a number of areas requiring research have been identified. These include aspects of establishment, dry matter production, quality, persistence, and seed production.

Comparison of locations used in cotton-breeding trials

Cotton-breeding trials are conducted annually throughout the commercial growing regions of eastern Australia. Accumulated yield data for the period 1974-85 were assembled into an incomplete cultivar x location x year table. This table was then analysed in order to compare test locations. The method involved analysing cultivar x location tables separately for each year, using symmetric joint regression analysis. Results were then collected into location x year tables and further analysed. Four criteria for comparing test locations were developed. The discrimination criterion is important when locations are evaluated in terms of their ability to display cultivar differences. The representation criterion measures the ability of a location to mirror the relative performance of cultivars over all locations. The other 2 criteria are concerned with the mean yield at test locations and the stability of location yields over years. Based on the 4 criteria, preferred test locations are recommended.

Residual effects of phosphate fertilizers in relation to phosphate sorptivities of 27 soils

Three different parameters of the long term effects of phosphate fertilizers on perennial clover-based pastures were measured over 3–4 years in 27 experiments on acidic soils in an elevated region of eastern Australia. Recovery of fertilizer P was the difference between herbage P uptake in the presence of fertilizer and uptake in its absence, expressed as a % of the amount of P applied in the first year. Residual value was the size of the response to fertilizer P, applied in the first year, expressed as a percentage of the response to freshly applied P in the second and third years. Effectiveness was the product of the values of the Mitscherlich curvature and response parameters for each response curve, and residual effectiveness was relative to initial effectiveness. Soils varied widely in their P sorptivities, and represented Alfisols, Entisols, and Ultisols of basaltic, granitic and sedimentary origin.

Structural Styles and Basin Evolution in Eromanga Region, Eastern Australia

The Eromanga region of eastern Australia has undergone at least four major tectonic cycles, the results of which are recognized in the structures seen on seismic sections. The late Proterozoic-early Phanerozoic cycle ended with the formation of the Thomson foldbelt, which forms basement in the region. The subsequent reactivations of the fault systems within this basement and deeper lithosphere have produced the structural styles now important as exploration targets. Most reactivations are interpreted as resulting from crustal shortening events affecting sedimentary strata deposited in an epicontinental, shallow water environment, with small strike-slip adjustments affecting some structures. The dominant style of deformation evident from the seismic sections is that seen across high-angle thrust faults in other parts of the world, with the amount of overthrusting being comparatively small. Generally, the maximum throw on faults in the Devonian strata can be measured in thousands of meters, whereas those in the Permian-Triassic and Jurassic-Cretaceous strata are a few hundred meters at most. The Devonian sequences of the Adavale basin and associated troughs were deformed during two Carboniferous events, the first with crustal shortening in a north-south direction and the second in an east-west direction. Associated small strike-slip movements were accommodated along a number of faults, including the Warrego-Grenfield, Warbreccan, and Canaway faults. Southwest of our study area, in the Permian-Triassic Cooper basin, other workers have interpreted a northwest-southeast crustal shortening event during the Late Permian and another wrench-induced northeast-southwest crustal shortening during the Triassic. During the middle Tertiary, a crustal shortening event regionally affected the Jurassic-Cretaceous Eromanga basin sequence and older sedimentary rocks. This event is seen pro inently in a deformation zone between the Canaway and Cunnavalla faults, with the direction of crustal shortening being northeast-southwest. Small strike-slip movements are interpreted as partially decoupling events from neighboring provinces: the Adavale basin and Cheepie shelf to the east and southeast and the Cooper basin and Warbreccan dome to the southwest and northwest, respectively. In this partial decoupling, the Canaway, Cunnavalla, Warrego, and Warbreccan faults are interpreted as playing an important role. The basin-modifying tectonic episodes within the lithosphere control structural style. These relatively small-scale events have resulted in structures that provide attractive petroleum prospects.

Transpiration from forest dwelling and woodland Mygalomorphae (Araneae)

Rates of water loss in dry air at room temperature (21±2°C) have been measured from seven species of forest-dwelling mygalomorph spiders. They range from 0.260% body wt h−1 in the tube-dwelling trapdoor spiderDyarcyops sp. (from the humid coastal regions of eastern Australia) to 0.030% wt h−1 inBrachypelma smithi (from drier environments in Mexico). There is a tendency for rates of transpiration to be related to the humidities of the spiders' normal environments and micro-habitats.

PERSONALITY AND REGIONAL PREFERENCE STRUCTURES: A STUDY OF INTROVERSION-EXTRAVERSION

Introverts and extraverts differ in their residential preferences for thirty-nine regions in eastern Australia. Preference was assessed on a seven-point scale and introversion-extraversion by means of a 210-item questionnaire. Mapping of the correlations between personality trait scores and regional preference scores revealed that introverts prefer inland, temperate, and settled areas whereas extraverts prefer marginal, relatively undeveloped, wilderness areas, coastal resorts, and large cities.

Digestible energy content of cereals and wheat by-products for growing pigs

ABSTRACT1. The digestible energy content of eight samples of barley, sorghum, wheat, weather-damaged wheat and wheat by-products produced from different regions of eastern Australia was determined using growing pigs. The relationships between physical and chemical composition and digestible energy content of the meals were studied.2. The mean and range in digestible energy (MJ/kg, air-dry basis) were, respectively: barleys 12·7 (12·4 to 13·0), sorghums 14·4 (14·1 to 14·9), wheats 14·4 (14·0 to 15·0), weather-damaged wheats 14·1 (12·9 to 14·9) and wheat by-products 12·4 (10·9 to 14·1).3. All possible regressions of digestible energy content against density, gross energy and proximate analyses of the meals were screened to select useful relationships. These screens indicated that, with the exception of wheat by-products, the majority of variation in digestible energy was due to gross energy and fibre. For wheat by-products, a combination of density and fibre accounted for most of the variation.4. Prediction equations had the most application to weather-damaged wheats, wheat by-products and a combination of all samples.5. There was no indication that neutral-detegent fibre was superior to crude fibre as a predictor of digestible energy in cereals for pigs.

Digestible energy content of meat meals and meat and bone meals for growing pigs

ABSTRACT1. The digestible energy content of 14 meat meals and meat and bone meals produced from different regions in eastern Australia was determined using growing pigs. The relationship between digestible energy content and chemical constituents in the meals was investigated.2. Digestible energy ranged from 9·4 to 13·9MJ/kg (air-dry basis). This variation in digestible energy was best described by the regression equation:3. Simpler equations, with only gross energy or crude protein and ether extract were:4. Digestibility of the energy and crude protein in the meals ranged from 0·63 to 0·77 and 0·73 to 0·91 respectively. These variations were not related to any of the major chemical constituents of the meals.

Studies on metatherian sex chromosomes. IX. Sex chromosomes of the greater glider (Marsupialia: Petauridae).

The greater glider, currently but incorrectly known as Schoinobates volans, is widely distributed in forested regions in eastern Australia. All animals studied from six different localities had 20 autosomes but there were four chromosomally distinct populations. At Royal National Park, N.S.W., all female greater gliders studied had 22 chromosomes including two large submetacentric X chromosomes with subterminal secondary constrictions in their longer arms. This form of X chromosome occurred also at Bondo State Forest, Myall Lakes and Coff's Harbour, N.S.W., and at Eidsvold, Qld. At Coomooboolaroo, Qld, the X chromosome was also a large submetacentric but a secondary constriction occurred in the shorter arm. Two chromosomally distinct types apparently occur in Royal National Park, one with XY males as in all other populations, and one with XY1Y2 males. Y or Y1, but not Y2, chromosomes were eliminated from the bone marrow in all populations but were present in spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and cultured fibroblasts. Animals from Bondo State Forest had three or more acrocentric or metacentric supernumerary chromosomes.

A Study of the Biology of the Wild Rabbit in Climatically Different Regions in Eastern Australia VI.* Changes in Numbers and Distribution related to Climate and Land Systems in Semiarid North-Western New South Wales.

This paper describes a dramatic fall in rabbit populations in a large area of semiarid north-western New South Wales, due to a severe drought, and the increase in numbers which followed. The reduction in numbers differed markedly in different land systems. The areas which supported rabbit populations throughout the study were limited to the proximity of swamps in sandy habitats, and close to drainage channels in stony habitats; populations became extinct over large areas of sandy habitats. In the stony habitats populations increased very rapidly in the 12 months following the breaking of the drought, whereas in the sandy habitats it took c. 3 y before a noticeable increase. The difference was probably a result of differences in survival, due mainly to the effects of predation and to the availability of open warrens. In sandy habitats drift sand buried untenanted warrens very rapidly. The environment affected not only rabbits but also their main predators, the fox and the cat. No cats and very few foxes were observed in stony habitats. The main activities of both species were confined to refuge areas in sandy habitats. The most significant correlation between indices of rabbit numbers and indices of use of rabbit warrens was the number of active burrows per unit area of habitat.

A Study of the Biology of the Wild Rabbit in Climatically Different Regions in Eastern Australia V*. The Use of Aerial Surveys to Map the Distribution of Rabbit Warrens over Large Areas of Semiarid North-western New South Wales

Aerial surveys can be used to measure the distribution of rabbit warrens over large areas of arid and semiarid Australia. Clumped patterns of distribution of rabbit warrens found by ground surveys are also detected in aerial surveys, which further show that the highest density of warrens occurs in habitats containing shales or other fine-grained rocks overlain by recent sediments, or those closely related to drainage systems. A good picture of rabbit distribution is obtained when about 25% of the area has been overed by the aircraft. * Part IV, Aust. J. Zool., 1971, 19, 355–70.

Comparison of Avian Communities between Wet and Semiarid Habitats of Eastern Australia

The composition of bird species in three distinct habitats of subtropical eastern Australia was examined in terms of the degree of species association, niche occupation and clutch size. In spite of low species diversity in the wet formations, the birds of this habitat tended to show characteristics of tropical forest birds. These included stronger association of species, relative abundance of treenesting frugivores and small clutch size. In contrast, the semiarid formations supported a greater diversity of bird species with somewhat loose species association, a large representation of graminivores, and a larger mean clutch size with greater variation. At least in the subtropical region of eastern Australia, the bird species diversity does not appear to be related to the stability of environment.

A study of the biology of the wild rabbit in climatically different regions in eastern Australia IV. The rabbit in the south coastal region iof New South Wales, an area which parasites appear to exert a population-regulating effect

A study of the biology of the wild rabbit in climatically different regions in eastern Australia IV. The rabbit in the south coastal region iof New South Wales, an area which parasites appear to exert a population-regulating effect

Coccidiosis in wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculua (L.) at four sites in different climatic regions in eastern Australia II.The relationship of oocyst output to climate and to some aspects of the rabbit's physiology

Rabbit populations were sampled regularly during 1962-64 at four sites in different climatic regions (subalpine, mediterranean, subtropical, and semi-arid) in eastern Australia. A total of 2981 rabbits were taken by shooting at night. Oocysts in the faeces were identified as Eimeria stiedae, E. media, E. perforans, E. irresidua, E. magna, E. piriformis, and E. exigua. Infections were highest and most frequent at the subalpine site, less at the sites with mediterranean and subtropical climates, and were not common at the semi-arid site. Regular seasonal fluctuations occurred at the subalpine and mediterranean sites, with troughs occurring in summer. Multiple regression analysis of oocyst count on several anatomical and climatic measurements showed that, except at the semi-arid site, oocyst count was significantly related to measurements highly correlated with host age, and to evaporation (during the preceding 8 weeks); at the semi-arid site rainfall was the only really significant factor. Differences between species of coccidia were small compared with the differences between sites.

Coccidiosis in wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.), at four sites in different climatic regions in eastern Australia I. Relationship with the age of the rabbit

A total of 2881 rabbits were shot during 1962-64 in regular samples from four sites representing different climatic regions in eastern Australia. Samples of the faeces were examined for coccidial oocysts. Seven species of Eimeria (E. stiedae, E. media, E. perforans, E. irresidua, E. magna, E. piriformis, and E. exigua) were recorded. Dried lens weight and paunched (eviscerated) body weight of the rabbits were used as estimates of age. A decrease in oocyst output with increasing age of the rabbit was apparent when progeny of particular breeding seasons were followed and when all data were grouped together at the subalpine site. Linear regression analysis showed that the decrease was greatest at the subalpine site, where the young had high oocyst counts, less in the subtropical and Mediterranean climates, and virtually absent at the arid site. The rate of the decrease varied between species; it was greatest for E. magna and was slight and variable in occurrence for E. piriformis. Adult rabbits transported from the arid site to infected pasture in Canberra were found from 1 to 10 weeks after release to have an oocyst count comparable to that of young rabbits at the subalpine site. Cage-reared progeny of the rabbits from the arid site were more susceptible to accidental infection than cage-reared progeny of rabbits from the temperate southern tablelands of New South Wales.

A study of the biology of the wild rabbit in climatically different regions in eastern Australia. III. Some data on the evolution of coat colour

Variations in coat colour in 1766 rabbits collected from four climatically different regions in eastern Australia are described. In less than 80 yr coat colour has changed significantly, apparently by selection of quantitative genes rather than qualitative ones. In the arid area selection has been towards yellowness and in the wet alpine area towards blackness, compared with the coat colour in intermediate climates.