Natural Resource - Assignment Example

Management: Name: Subject: Course: Supervisor: Date of submission: Question 1 Pick a single topic or idea in Property Management Planning which you consider to be the most important part of a PMP course. Briefly outline the topic, and explain why you think this is the most important idea. The topic can either be from the notes, or one which was presented during the intensive school. A list of the topics the PMP notes are divided into is given on p 6.12. Importance may be because it is critical to the operation of the farm or understanding the farming system, or because you think it is the least well understood or practiced by farmers. I don’t mind why you think it is important as long as you explain it. Answer: Natural resources Natural resource is defined as a material which can be used to accrue wealth or has economic value to human welfare and is naturally occurring on the land such as mineral deposit, fresh water or timber Hill & Williams (2009). Food products face prices fluctuations. In addition, 40% of food grown globally is not basically for people consumption but, for fuel and animals. Surprisingly, about 40% of food grown globally for people goes to waste. On the other hand, people are changing eating patterns with most people in developing nations turning into meat consumption rather than plant produce a fact which increase food insecurity. Natural resources continue to compete with agriculture in the same land. Therefore, land scramble in this case limits the capacity for agriculture to expand its footprints. Globally, biodiversity, phosphorous, nitrogen and water loss are factors of concern Davies, White, Wright, Maru & LaFlame (2008). Petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, zinc, lead, sand, tungsten, nickel, uranium, silver, gold, tin, copper, iron ore, coal and bauxite are some of mineral extensively spread in Australia. A few farmers in Australia are aware of these minerals while it is surprisingly that Australia is the biggest exporter of coal world wide exporting 29% coal globally. In 2007 Australia was the leading producer of bauxite achieving 67 million tonnes. Black coal on the other hand offers the largest export in Australia. Over $A24billion monetary value was accrued from coal export in the years 2007-2008. Areas of Queensland and Western Australia do have extensive land occupied by different minerals; Melbourne and Sydney are rich in natural gas. One third of Australia houses uranium which is used to manufacture nuclear power. The forests of the Australian are also rich in timber both for paper making and building. Despite its significance to the Australian economy, most farmers prefer agriculture Hill & Williams (2009). The land in Australia is believed to be unlimited for agricultural activities. However, in reality the land is by far quite limited to crucial crop farming. Terrain, general landscape, human activities that accelerates soil erosion, water logging in most clay soils and subsoil constraints are some of factors that limits agricultural activities despite the effort put in the land by the farmers. These activities not only leave the efforts of the farmers unrewarded but, also increases land deterioration Baker & Eldershaw (1993). Therefore, informing farmers on the importance of natural resources will not only improve their economic status but, also complement agriculture. Some of undertakings like fisheries, timber and mineral activity are bound to raise the economic status of the farmers without necessarily having to till the farm especially in seasons of unreliable rains and areas of poor soils. This will ensure they not only have money for purchasing food items but, also at such seasons when farming is altered by climatical conditions the farm is given a chance to rest; improving the quality of the croplands. Farmers who complement their farming with natural resources will also increase forest which in turn will create micro climate. This will improve farming with time as rainfall fluctuations will improve. Food insecurity will also become a history because non-food items sold will enhance food purchasing in times of famine. In addition, balanced diet will be supported because fisheries offer not only a chance to safe income but, also a source of protein. Lastly, natural resources produced within a country are not only self sustaining but also, sold at a reduced price. When exported, the country will benefit from foreign currency in turn raising the economic status of the country Davies, White, Wright, Maru & LaFlame (2008). Therefore, natural resource is for sure an important part in PMP due to its significance to the Australian economy in general. Question 2 Pick a subsoil constraint which you have an interest in, and outline what the constraint is, how it has developed, and how it can be managed. (Salinity, sodicity, acidity, and nutrient toxicity are the most common constraints you will come across) Soil constraints According to Mcdolnald, Isbell, Speight, Walker & Hopkins (1990) subsoil constraints (SSCs) are defined as any soil chemical and or physical characteristics found below the seedbed and that limit nutrients and water accessibility capacity of pastures and crops. These SSCs include water logging, nutrient deficiencies, bicarbonate toxicity, aluminum and boron toxic concentrations, high soil strength, sodicity and transient and primary salinity. Subsoil constraints have been found to occur naturally in Australians section like grain belt. However, they are common in south-eastern Australia areas where alkaline and neutral soils occupy vast lands. It is good noting that more than 90% of cropping land in victoria (Southern Mallee) has SSCs as it is occupied by sodosols soils Isbell (1996). This essay, however, will look at salinity as one of subsoil constraints. Salinity Salinity is a situation where soil solution has soluble salts. When the root zone has excess soluble salts, plant growth is decreased. Salinity lowers plant growth through: either creating an ionic imbalance (Ca2+, K+, and Na+) which are highly required to enhance optimal functioning of the plant, affecting specific ions such Cl- which in turn lead to toxicity and or creating osmotic stress which in turn lowers the capacity of the plant to extract water from the soil. Salinity has been found to occur commonly in semi-arid and arid regions. This is because in such areas there is restriction of profile leaching Mcdolnald, Isbell, Speight, Walker & Hopkins (1990). In Australia, soils containing soluble salts come from primary mineral weathering, cyclic accession, Aeolian recycling, which carries salts from the ocean to the land. However, in Mallee and Wimmera Areas in Victoria the soil is naturally concentrated with salts with chief source of the primary salts being the aelion recycling and cyclic accession. Broadly, the saline rich Australian landscape accounts the source of primary salinity from geologic and climate control processes. Broad scale process is used to explain primary salinity but, those areas having natural occurring salinity are not sensitive to local management and hence agriculture is not practiced in such sites. Contrary, change of land uses and irrigation which leads to activation of ground water and rising water table leads to salts movement concentrating along the root zone a process known as secondary salinity. Transient salinity is common in areas where there is dryland cropping like in south-eastern Australia. This affects crop production Isbell (1996). However, transient salinity is eliminated through crop evapo-transpiration and seasonal rainfall somewhat than shallow water table. Semi-arid and arid environments and poorly draining soils are the key areas commonly experiencing transient salinity. This is because there is high salts concentration in the root zone. The salt concentration rises and falls as crops extracts water escalating salts to the soil surface. In addition, drying of the soil leads to high salt concentration of the soil solution. Nevertheless, leaching and subsequent rainfall balances this process. The wavering nature of salts in the soil profile is attributed to the balance of crop water use and rainfall balance. The end effect of saline in crops is that it limits the plant ability to absorb water and other essential nutrients. Different practices have been advocated to lower the effects of salinity. However, the fact that several SSCs are bound to occur concurrently poses challenges specifically in eliminating single SSCs. Therefore, the management practices are diverse and not singly geared towards a single SSCs elimination. In addition, sometimes it is difficult to tell that only saline affects crops in a specific area since in most cases it occurs hand in hand with sodicity. Nevertheless, managing options around these constraint and or amelioration improve productivity in saline zone. Managing options around these constraints indirectly include: i. Cultural practices like addition of organic matter, life plant use among others to enhance in water movement within the soil and root zone. ii. A tolerant plant, cultivars and crop species selection that is adapted to Salinity. iii. Changing agronomic management practices in order to lower crop reliance on saline subsoil. iv. Adjusting on saline land use and inputs upon realizing the challenges posed by the subsoil. Ameliorations strategies include both chemical and physical management of soil to lower the SSCs. These options include: i. Biological ameliorations such as use of organic matter and living plants ii. Mechanical ameliorations such as Ca-rich subsoil inversion iii. Chemical ameliorations like use of Ca to replace Mg and Na Question 3 Outline what a land classification system is, why it was developed, what determines land class, and whether land class can change. Please don’t repeat the list of classes as this will not answer the question The answer need to be related only to Australian Agriculture Land classification system Land classification system refers to the processes of categorizing land in relevance to agriculture importance or output. Categories of concern include the grade of the soil or capability classes and class of quality. In addition to soil quality other factors of concern include rainfall, temperatures, soil erosion susceptibility, gradient, elevation and drainage. Economic land classification might be applied. This looks into the market and prices, working of the land and farm layout. However, economic factors are bound to change with time and demand fluctuations Isbell (2002). In Australia, in the past, agricultural land has not embraced the seriousness it requires. This is because the Australians belief that they do have unlimited resource with agricultural land inclusive. However, it is good to note that quality land for agricultural practices remains a limited resource. Agricultural land has been facing threat of depletion through land degradation and urbanization. This reduction process takes away` the best land for agricultural sustainability forcing use of marginal land to a greater depth Baker & Eldershaw (1993). Therefore, understanding how suitable a particular land is towards agricultural practices helps in development of a strategic plan. In addition, it helps in identification of non-agricultural favorable land which can be used for other activities and in identification of the land suited for agriculture. Hence, idle land is recommended for crop farming in agriculture. According to Isbell, McDonald & Ashton (1997) the main reason of developing land classification system in Australia was to ensure land use information is collected and presented consistently. The information assists land planner, managers and other persons who wishes to be acquainted with Australia’s information on land cover data, land management practices and land use. The information is vital because it offers not only the limitation inherent in a particular soil type towards agricultural success, but, also expounds on scientific method for proper planning on land use and land conservation. Land classification therefore, not only offers information on how best a particular land can support a particular activity but also the need for upgrading a certain soil constraints. Land classification is determined using physical and chemical soil characteristics. The classification indicates generally how suitable a particular kind of soil is to most field crops. In this classification crops calling for specific management are excluded from the cluster. The grouping or classes of soils is done in reference to how they react to management, how risk they are to crops or extend of damage they are likely to pose if used for crop production and the general limitation they pose to field crops. Some of general limitation that bar land from intensive use on crop activities include flooding, surface runoff, drainage, soil depth, texture, erosion or the slope. However, in classifying land the criteria excluded activities that can be put in place to reclaim or upgrade land with limiting factors. In addition, land classes does not give information or interpret how certain soils are suitable or limiting for engineering processes, for forestland or soils for rangeland Isbell, McDonald & Ashton (1997). The classes generally offer information on how suitable a particular soil is for farming with the usage narrowing from class1. The classification is used to rank land particularly to their productivity potential and their flexibility to crops. As time goes by, the land may deteriorate in regards to physical and chemical composition. Such factors will only switch a specific land from a particular class to another. However, the classes do not put into considerations individual landowner choices and distance to market as some of factors which impacts decisions on actual land use. Therefore, following these findings there is possibility that such consideration might be put in place which may not necessarily lead to change of land classes rather additional of land classes as bound by the limitations Baker & Eldershaw (1993). References Baker D.E. & Eldershaw V.J. (1993). Interpreting soil analyses for agriculture land use in Queensland. Project Report Series QO93014 Australia; Dept. of primary industries, Davies J.J., White A., Wright Y, Maru & LaFlame M. (2008). Applying the sustainable livelihoods approach in Australian desert aboriginal development. The Rangeland Journal 30:55-65 Hill R. & Williams L. J. (2009). Indigenous natural resource management: overcoming marginalization produced in Australia’s current NRM model. Pages 161-178 in Lane M.B., Robnison C.J. & Taylor B.M. editors. Contested country: local and regional environmental management in Australia. Australia, Canberra, CSIRO publishing. Isbell R.F. (2002). The Australian Soil Classification. Revised edition. Melbourne, CSIRO publishing Isbell R.F., McDonald W.S. & Ashton L.J. (1997). Concepts and Rationale of the Australian Soil Classification (ACLEP). Canberra; CSIRO Land and Water Isbell R.F. (1996). The Australian Soil Classification. Melbourne; CSIRO publishing Mcdolnald R.C., Isbell R.F., Speight J.G., Walker J. & Hopkins M.S. (1990). Handbook of Australian Soils Field Handbook 2nd Ed. Melbourne; Inkata press Read More