Water Use Efficiency
CSIRO study - Regional scale, spatially explicit quantification of plantation water use
This report, commissioned by the FWPRDC, sought to quantify impacts on both groundwater and surface runoff by plantations. Stage 1 of the
research looks promising, however water source use could not be adequatly resolved using current technology.
The full report from Stage 1 can be downloaded here.
Two more water use efficiency projects are currently underway with funding from FWPRDC. The first looks at quantifying plantation water use, and the overview of this report can be viewed here.
The second report is being conducted by the University of Melbourne and is looking at predicting and managing the impacts of commercial plantations on catchment water balances. The overview of this report can be viewed here.
This report, commissioned by the FWPRDC, sought to quantify impacts on both groundwater and surface runoff by plantations. Stage 1 of the
research looks promising, however water source use could not be adequatly resolved using current technology. The full report from Stage 1 can be downloaded here.
Two more water use efficiency projects are currently underway with funding from FWPRDC. The first looks at quantifying plantation water use, and the overview of this report can be viewed here.
The second report is being conducted by the University of Melbourne and is looking at predicting and managing the impacts of commercial plantations on catchment water balances. The overview of this report can be viewed here.
Sugar RDC study - Increased profitability and water use efficiency
The Sugar RDC undertook this study in partnership with CRC-Sugar, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, CSR Limited, the then CSIRO Tropical Agriculture and the University of Queensland.
Key outcomes from this project were:
- improved profitability from irrigated sugarcane due to more efficient timing of use of water and greater usage of allocated water
- more efficient investment in water storages on farm or in securing water allocations from off-farm sources due to the capability for improved water production functions
- less drainage losses and leaching of nutrients resulting from improved timing of irrigation.
The full report can be accessed here.
Horticulture Water Initiative
HAL has established a cross-industry funded Horticulture Water Initiative to provide a coordinated approach and focal point for the horticulture sector's water issues.
Project Coordinators and project details can be viewed by visiting the HAL Environment page and following the link on the left to Water.
