List of Records in School of Integrative Systems - UQ eSpace

A basic stock assessment of the Coral Reef resources of Milne Bay Province Papua New Guinea, including a study of utilization at the Atisanal level.

Allen, M. og Kinch, J. og Werner, T. — 2007-08-15T02:15:32Z

Abstract: The use of WWW Based Electronic Surveys to Gather Stakeholder Feedback - Can it benefit Rural Extension?

2007-08-24T00:07:46Z

Acceptance and Repayment of Agricultural Credit in Lombok Indonesia: Farmers' Perspectives

2007-08-15T02:51:44Z

Acceptance and repayment of agricultural credit in Lombok Indonesia: Farmers' perspectives

2009-02-19T11:44:23Z

This paper analyzes farmer decisions regarding acceptance and repayment of agricultural credit in Lombok, Indonesia. A survey was conducted during July 2001- March 2002 in Central Lombok, where the current KKP government credit scheme is provided to agricultural producers. Three villages within the regency were sampled, representing various repayment rates of government credit. Data were collected using face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with 65 farmers who had made use of government or other sources of agricultural credit. Capital possession was found to be the starting point for farmers’ decision-making in relation to credit use. As long as farmers had their own capital, they tended to avoid using credit, perceiving that credit from any source was risky. Farmers preferred to apply for government credit, rather than from private sources, because it had lower interest rates, a more suitable repayment schedule, and was considered less risky. In some situations however, private credit was preferred because of its simplicity and instant availability. In credit repayment, farmers’ behavior was strongly influenced by their capability, character, and motivations, and these factors could be inter-connected. The findings have some implications for credit distribution, monitoring, repayment collection, and education and extension for clients.

Accuracy and Precision of Two Laser Dendrometers

2006-06-02T00:00:00Z

Two commercial laser dendrometers were tested under controlled and field conditions, and contrasted with alternative instruments. Testing focused on height measurement, but also considered distance and remote diameter measurements. Both laser instruments gave very precise estimates, but showed some bias. Users of these and other 'high-tech' instruments are reminded that precision is not synonymous with accuracy. Users should not become complacent about the sub-millimetre readout, but should calibrate instruments to examine if users' accuracy requirements are satisfied. Instruments may need to be re-calibrated each measurement season and after any mishandling.

A Century of Change in Coral Reef Status in Southeast and Central Pacific: Polynesia Mana Node, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Niue, Tokelau, Tonga, Wallis and Futuna

2007-08-14T11:49:15Z

A comparison of attitudes among purchasers of imported fruit in Guangzhou and Urumqi, China

Sun, XM og Collins, R — 2007-08-15T04:53:13Z

Research on Chinese consumer behavior is dominated by studies of Chinese consumers as a whole, or studies of consumers in a single city or region. Comparative studies that take into account the cultural, economic and demographic differences between contrasting markets within China are poorly represented in the literature. The widening economic gap between rapidly developing coastal cities and less developed cities in more remote regions provides an opportunity for comparative consumer studies. In this research we compared the responses of buyers of imported fruit in two very different cites, Guangzhou (highly developed) and Urumqi (relatively undeveloped). Results revealed that buyers' beliefs and their evaluation of those beliefs towards the attributes of imported fruit were distinctly different. Factors such as the city's background, consumers' education level and the intended uses explained most of these differences. Results will help to broaden our understanding of Chinese consumer behavior and provide valuable information when formulating marketing strategies. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Comparison of SOM Neural Networks and K-Means Clustering Using Real World Data: Chinese consumer attitudes towards imported fruit

Sun, X. T. og Collins, R. J. og Kim, J. — 2007-08-24T00:34:45Z

A cost-benefit analysis of hedgerow intercropping in the Philippine uplands using the SCUAF model

2007-08-13T16:54:51Z

Soil erosion in the Philippine uplands is severe. Hedgerow intercropping is widely advocated as an effective means of controlling soil erosion from annual cropping systems in the uplands. However, few farmers adopt hedgerow intercropping even in areas where it has been vigorously promoted. This may be because farmers find hedgerow intercropping to be uneconomic compared to traditional methods of farming. This paper reports a cost-benefit analysis comparing the economic returns from traditional maize farming with those from hedgerow intercropping in an upland community with no past adoption of hedgerows. A simple erosion/productivity model, Soil Changes Under Agroforestry (SCUAF), is used to predict maize yields over 25 years. Economic data were collected through key informant surveys with experienced maize farmers in an upland community. Traditional methods of open-field farming of maize are economically attractive to farmers in the Philippine uplands. In the short term, establishment costs are a major disincentive to the adoption of hedgerow intercropping. In the long term, higher economic returns from hedgerow intercropping compared to open-field farming are realised, but these lie beyond farmers' limited planning horizons.

A cost benefit analysis of the revitalisation of the Gowrie Creek catchment

2008-06-10T14:27:13Z

A Critical Appraisal of the MODSS Process as Applied to Forestry in South-East Queensland and the Hodgson Creek Catchment

Jeffreys, Ian og Lawrence, Paul — 2006-07-17T00:00:00Z

Part of a report for the RIRDC/Land & Water Australia/FWPRDC: Joint Venture Agroforestry Program, July 2002.

A Curse Upon the Land: Foxes and cane toads

Page, Manda og Baxter, Greg — 2007-08-14T12:36:48Z

Adaptation of the MODSS Framework for Agroforestry Decision-Support in South-East Queensland

Jeffreys, Ian og Cockfield, Geoff — 2006-07-17T00:00:00Z

This chapter outlines the MODSS process as applied in the south-east Queensland and Hodgson Creek case studies. The process applied differs considerably from that proposed in Chapter 13 due to a number of reasons, but particularly limitations in access to key stakeholder groups and technical experts. This study underwent two iterations; the first was a generic study of farm forestry in south-east Queensland (SEQ). The SEQ region comprises the area from Noosa in the north to the NSW border and west to Toowoomba shire. The SEQ study was designed as a pilot study to test the general applicability of the MODSS process for the evaluation of farm forestry options. As the outcome of this study looked promising, the process was repeated in the Hodgson Creek sub-catchment. The generic south-east Queensland study was used as a starting point for the development of the Hodgson Creek study. The Hodgson Creek sub-catchment is situated in the eastern Darling Downs, which lies south-west of Toowoomba and is split between the shires of Pittsworth and Cambooya. This chapter draws on the analysis of farm forestry options of Chapter 16.

Adaptive Management and the Mainland Island Programme: What of the Conjecture

2009-02-03T14:59:55Z

The potential for adaptive management is slowly gaining emphasis in the management of terrestrial ecosystems in New Zealand. The Department of Conservation Mainland Island Programme is characterised by complexity and uncertainty, and has been heralded as a prime candidate for use of the approach. However, multiple differing interpretations of the approach have been described. This paper explores conjecture and speculation about the shape of adaptive management in the Mainland Island Programme by presenting a participatory evaluation of the use of adaptive management conducted with managers. Three key issues are identified. Firstly, knowledge of the approach appears limited and highly variable, presented often in a single disciplinary sense only. This limits the application of adaptive management and the ability to learn from it. Secondly, the issue of application scale is raised. The desire to use adaptive management at the programme level indicates that a collective focus and bounding of the management ‘problem’ and strategic directive is needed. However, the appropriateness of the approach for individual projects within the programme is questioned given their inherent differences, confounded by the local-level funding directive. Thirdly, the managers themselves identified additional issues in management success, including a lack of consistency in the rigour of science and the un-debated effects of presumption on decision making. Finally, this paper shows that an awareness of these issues can be used to improve the adaptive process in the Mainland Island Programme.

Adaptive Management: making it happen through participatory systems analysis

2008-05-07T13:52:10Z

Participatory systems analysis was used to construct system models of the operating environment for fire management in conservation reserves in north Queensland, Australia. The aim of the study was to identify stumbling blocks to the adaptive management of fire and to test whether this could be done using participatory methods and a systems modelling tool called Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN). Results from the case study indicate that the participatory system analysis approach provides a co-learning environment that captures the collective (corporate) knowledge of the factors influencing planning, implementing, monitoring and reviewing outcomes, thus allowing critical success factors (CSFs) influencing the success of adaptive management to be identified. BBN provided the scaffolding for piecing together this knowledge, allowing managers to structure complex problems and conduct dynamic sensitivity and scenario analysis to identify where intervention or investment can significantly improve the practice of adaptive management within a natural resource management (NRM) agency. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Adaptive Management models

Allen, W. og Jacobson, C. — 2009-05-19T15:16:51Z

Adding insult to injury: Social pain theory and response to social exclusion

2007-08-14T12:29:08Z

Addressing shortcomings in the Household Responsibility System - Empirical analysis of the Two-Farmland System in Shandong Province

Chen, K og Brown, C — 2007-08-14T16:11:48Z

Despite apparent overwhelming benefits, implementation of the Household Responsibility System (HRS) in China contained a number of flaws. The Two-Farmland System (TFS), which originated in Pingdu City in Shandong Province, sought to address the twin problems of land fragmentation and economies of size. A stochastic frontier production function analysis that isolates the impacts of land allocation reforms suggests that the TFS increased efficiency by around 7%. This article highlights the need for empirical analysis to assess objectively the merits or otherwise of particular reforms. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.

A decision support process to compare Riparian revegetation options in Scheu Creek catchment in North Queensland

Qureshi, M. E. og Harrison, S. R. — 2007-08-14T16:36:08Z

While riparian vegetation can play a major role in protecting land, water and natural habitat in catchments, there are high costs associated with tree planting and establishment and in diverting land from cropping. The distribution of costs and benefits of riparian revegetation creates conflicts in the objectives of various stakeholder groups. Multicriteria analysis provides an appropriate tool to evaluate alternative riparian revegetation options, and to accommodate the conflicting views of various stakeholder groups. This paper discusses an application of multicriteria analysis in an evaluation of riparian revegetation policy options for Scheu Creek, a small sub-catchment in the Johnstone River catchment in north Queensland, Australia. Clear differences are found in the rankings of revegetation options for different stakeholder groups with respect to environmental, social and economic impacts. Implementation of a revegetation option will involve considerable cost for landholders for the benefits of society. Queensland legislation does not provide a means to require farmers to implement riparian revegetation, hence the need for subsidies, tau incentives and moral suasion. (C) 2001 Academic Press.

A demand analysis of ruminant-meat, pork and poultry-meat by urban Chinese households segmented by three income strata

Cai, H. og Brown, C. G. og Longworth, J. — 2008-06-06T12:23:46Z

Adoption and maintenance of contour bunds and hedgerows in a dynamic environment - Experience in the Philippine uplands

2007-08-14T18:26:10Z

The widespread adoption of soil conservation technologies by farmers (notably contour hedgerows) observed in Guba, Cebu City, Philippines, is not often observed elsewhere In the country. Adoption of these technologies was because of the interaction of such phenomena as site-specific factors, appropriate extension systems, and technologies. However, lack of hedgerow maintenance, decreasing hedgerow quality, and disappearance of hedgerows raised concerns about sustainability. The dynamic nature of upland farming systems suggests the need for a location-specific farming system development framework, which provides farmers with ongoing extension for continual promotion of appropriate conservation practices.

Adoption of Soil Conservation Technologies in the Case Study Sites

2008-06-06T11:58:15Z

Adult free zones in small mammal populations: response of Australian native rodents to reduced cover

2007-09-19T18:42:45Z

Cover provides shelter, food, nesting opportunities and protection from predators. The behavioural response of small mammals to reduced cover has been well documented. However, very little is known about the effect of cover on community and population dynamics. Australian small mammals generally inhabit extremely dynamic ecosystems, where cover and food supplies are greatly affected by fire. Species are described as early or late seral specialists, generally returning to a disturbed area once their habitat requirements are met. Habitat requirements have loosely been interpreted as cover and food supply, however, these factors are not mutually exclusive and few studies have attempted to determine the driving factors behind small mammal succession. In this study, we manipulated specific aspects of cover in the eucalypt forests of Fraser Island and show that the behaviour and population dynamics of small mammals were greatly affected. A reduction of cover from grass-trees (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii) did not affect small mammal species composition, however, the abundance and size structure distribution of the dominant species (Rattus fuscipes) decreased. Patch use by rodents also decreased after cover was reduced. Rattus fuscipes must trade-off remaining in an environment with increased risk of predation, or disperse to an area with greater cover but increased competition. Juveniles dominated (> 60%) populations of R. fuscipes after cover was reduced, however, size distributions of control sites were relatively more even (< 25% juvenile). While adult R. fuscipes are either killed by predators or disperse to other areas, juveniles that remained or immigrated to an area of reduced cover gained a selective advantage over those in control sites, because reduced competition with adults increased body condition of juvenile R. fuscipes.

Adult learning and action learning: A real workplace learning approach

Fell, R. F. — 2008-06-10T15:47:04Z

A Forester's Perspective of the Socio-Economic Information Requirements for Forestry in Leyte

Mangaoang, Eduardo O. — 2006-07-17T00:00:00Z

In this module, a number of observations are made about the need for socio-economic research in forestry, on the basis of experience in the College of Forestry at Leyte State University (LSU). These comments draw particularly on teaching and outreach activities of the College. They are also influenced by collaboration with international research agencies, and with other research units within LSU. The module is designed to provide a context for the subsequent presentations on research techniques.

A Forestry Industry Cluster View on Timber Marketing in North Queensland

Skelton, David — 2006-07-17T00:00:00Z

The listing of north Queensland's State-owned rainforest as a World Heritage Area and the cessation of timber harvesting in 1988 caused a severe contraction in the north Queensland timber industry. The remaining industry is based on softwood from State Government plantations, which supplies only one sawmill of any appreciable size. A few small fixed mills and several portable mills cut hardwoods from Crown and private land outside the World Heritage Area. After only 15 years, north Queensland's formerly world famous cabinetwoods are now virtually unmentioned in the country's timber trade, and marketing these timbers has become a major issue for the small-scale forest growers. The lack of a steady, high quality supply of north Queensland timbers is probably the cause of depressed prices. The irregularity of supply ensures that prices vary widely. Private Forestry North Queensland Association (PFNQ) is the north Queensland forestry industry cluster and Private Forestry Development Committee. A number of other organisations work alongside PFNQ trying to develop the private forestry industry. A timber cooperative has been formed in the region but it has had little success in establishing a business or securing markets. PFNQ has therefore initiated a marketing facilitation project to provide market intelligence while it finds ways to initiate a private forest and timber stocktake. A stocktake and quality assessment of the region's resource will provide information about the timber already cut and held in storage, and standing timber available to be cut, as well as a projection for the future sustainable yield. This will assist in developing a sale strategy on which to establish sustainable, consistent wood flows to maintain a market in specialist timber uses (e.g. parquetry flooring, furniture and house panelling). Producing timber for the high volume, lower value markets is not favoured as an option for farm forestry. A possible scenario for the development of a small-scale market is suggested; however, it is acknowledged that given the weak state of the local industry and the absence of any industry funding, external resources (particularly Government support) will be necessary to re-establish a viable forestry industry.

A Framework for Designing Co-operative Management for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

Ross, A.H. og Innes, J. — 2007-08-14T12:28:50Z

A Framework to Predict the Effects of Livestock Grazing and Grazing Exclusion on Conservation Values in Natural Ecosystems in Australia

2008-05-15T15:41:34Z

A gap analysis of perceptions of hotel attributes by marketing managers and older people in Australia

Wei, S. og Ruys, H. F. og Muller, T. E. — 2008-06-10T14:09:40Z

Aggregating Tree Species to Develop Diameter Increment Equations for Tropical Rainforests

Vanclay, Jerome K. — 2006-06-21T00:00:00Z

Pairwise F-tests provided an efficient approach for aggregating large numbers of species into a manageable number of groups for developing diameter increment functions. The first stage of the two-stage procedure identified the number of groups required and the species defining these groups; the second stage aggregated all the remaining species into the most appropriate group. Although there is no guarantee that this leads to an optimal solution, empirical results suggest that the outcome is near optimal. This approach is readily automated and computationally efficient. An analysis of diameter increments of 237 species from the rainforests of north Queensland indicated 41 species groups, each with increment functions significantly different at P<0.01. These provided a substantially better model than the previous model based on subjectively formed groups.

A GIS Based Assessment of Land Suitable for Growing Hoop Pine in the Atherton, Eacham and Herberton Shires of North Queensland

Baynes, J. — 2007-07-30T03:40:36Z

The area of private land suitable and available for growing hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) on the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland was modelled using a geographic information system (GIS). In Atherton, Eacham and Herberton shires, approximately 64,700 ha of privately owned land were identified as having a mean annual rainfall and soil type similar to Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) hoop pine growth plots with an approximate growth rate of 20 m3 per annum. Land with slope of over 25° and land covered with native vegetation were excluded in the estimation. If land which is currently used for high-value agriculture is also excluded, the net area of land potentially suitable and available for expansion of hoop pine plantations is approximately 22,900 ha. Expert silvicultural advice emphasized the role of site preparation and weed control in affecting the long-term growth rate of hoop pine. Hence, sites with less than optimal fertility and rainfall may be considered as being potentially suitable for growing hoop pine at a lower growth rate. The datasets had been prepared at various scales and differing precision for their description of land attributes. Therefore, the results of this investigation have limited applicability for planning at the individual farm level but are useful at the regional level to target areas for plantation expansion.

Agricultural land degradation in the Philippine uplands: An overview

Cramb, Robert A. — 2008-06-06T11:58:05Z

Agroforestry and Biodiversity: Improving conservation outcomes in tropical Northeastern Australia

2007-08-14T12:01:56Z

A Growth Model for North Queensland Rainforests

Vanclay, Jerome K. — 2006-06-16T00:00:00Z

A model to predict the growth of commercial timber in north Queensland's rainforests is described. More than 100 commercial species and several hundred other tree species are aggregated into about 20 species groups based on growth habit, volume relationships and commercial criteria. Trees are grouped according to species group and tree size into cohorts, which form the basis for simulation. Equations for predicting increment, mortality and recruitment are presented. The implications of the model on rainforest management for timber production are examined. The model has been used in setting the timber harvest from these rainforests, and should provide an objective basis for investigating the impact of rainforest management strategies. The approach should be applicable to other indigenous forests.

Allometric exponents do not support a universal metabolic allometry

2009-02-25T18:34:13Z

The debate about the value of the allometric scaling exponent (b) relating metabolic rate to body mass (metabolic rate = a × massb) is ongoing, with published evidence both for and against a 3/4-power scaling law continuing to accumulate. However, this debate often revolves around a dichotomous distinction between the 3/4-power exponent predicted by recent models of nutrient distribution networks and a 2/3 exponent predicted by Euclidean surface-area-to-volume considerations. Such an approach does not allow for the possibility that there is no single “true” exponent. In the present study, we conduct a meta-analysis of 127 interspecific allometric exponents to determine whether there is a universal metabolic allometry or if there are systematic differences between taxa or between metabolic states. This analysis shows that the effect size of mass on metabolic rate is significantly heterogeneous and that, on average, the effect of mass on metabolic rate is stronger for endotherms than for ectotherms. Significant differences between scaling exponents were also identified between ectotherms and endotherms, as well as between metabolic states (e.g., rest, field, and exercise), a result that applies to b values estimated by ordinary least squares, reduced major axis, and phylogenetically correct regression models. The lack of support for a single exponent model suggests that there is no universal metabolic allometry and represents a significant challenge to any model that predicts only a single value of b.

Alpine proglacial suspended sediment dynamics in warm and cool ablation seasons: Implications for global warming

Stott, T. og Mount, N. — 2007-08-15T08:16:10Z

Alternative methods of delivering aid to small and vulnerable states

2008-06-10T14:27:21Z

A Model of Cultural Change and Tourism

Carter, R.W. og Beeton, R.J.S. — 2007-08-15T04:38:17Z

A Model of New Industry Development in Horticulture

Collins, Raymond. J. — 2006-07-21T00:00:00Z

An important premise of new crops research in horticulture is that biologically successful new species can lead to successful new industries. Success in a biological sense is a necessary but insufficient condition because successful new crop industries are driven by economic and social factors as well as biological factors, and in practice these three sets of factors interact as a system. How to model any one of the biological, economic or social sub-systems is reasonably well understood, but modelling the dynamics of the whole system is more problematic. This paper presents a descriptive model that may be a first step towards understanding the many pathways that new horticultural industries follow, some towards success and others towards failure. The model adopts the view that the biological and environmental science of developing a new crop species must be considered in the context of new industries as emerging social systems with economic objectives. It argues that the multiple developmental pathways of a new industry reflect the principle of growth through discontinuous change, or punctuated equilibrium. The structure of the model is based around four linked phrases, each described in terms of the activities of the actors within that phase. Punctuations of equilibrium can occur within or between phases, with either negative or positive consequences. In this way multiple pathways of development become possible. New crop examples drawn from horticulture are used to demonstrate the features of these various pathways in practice. With caution, it is concluded that the model could be used as a diagnostic tool to indicate future developmental pathways for a new horticultural industry, or to help identify approaches to intervening in a new industry's development to enhance the likelihood of its success.

A Model to Help People to Realize Sustainable Forestry Futures

2006-07-12T00:00:00Z

People usually know how they want their situation to change to secure a better future - but they do not always know how to change their situation. Initiatives intended to secure a better future do not always work as intended, and may have unintended side effects. Computer models can help advocates explore consequences of proposed initiatives, so they can make informed selections of alternatives, secure in the knowledge that consequences have been thoroughly investigated. By encouraging people to explore scenarios, models empower people to be more innovative and less dependent on technocrats. Models also enable planners to experiment with policy without risks to people or to the environment. Emerging software solves many technical limitations, but the real issue is not software, but rather the provision of a supportive framework within which people can express and experiment with ideas. FLORES, the Forest Land Oriented Resource Envisioning System, provides such a framework to stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, practitioners and clients. Two recent workshops have demonstrated the feasibility of FLORES, one of which provides the subject matter for a forthcoming issue of Small-scale Forest Economics, Management and Policy. However, FLORES is not about software; it is about providing the means to explore the consequences of alternative scenarios. Ultimately, FLORES is not a physical package, but an association of users and the interactions they have amongst themselves, and with the people involved in policy-making. By promoting this emerging network and providing technical support we encourage more people, especially those from developing countries, to influence the development of FLORES and the issues that can be explored within it.

A Model to Help People to Realize Sustainable Forestry Futures

2006-05-26T00:00:00Z

People usually know how they want their situation to change to secure a better future – but they do not always know how to change their situation. Initiatives intended to secure a better future do not always work as intended, and may have unintended side effects. Computer models can help advocates explore consequences of proposed initiatives, so they can make informed selections of alternatives, secure in the knowledge that consequences have been thoroughly investigated. By encouraging people to explore scenarios, models empower people to be more innovative and less dependent on technocrats. Models also enable planners to experiment with policy without risks to people or to the environment. Emerging software solves many technical limitations, but the real issue is not software, but rather the provision of a supportive framework within which people can express and experiment with ideas. FLORES, the Forest Land Oriented Resource Envisioning System, provides such a framework to stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, practitioners and clients. Two recent workshops have demonstrated the feasibility of FLORES, one of which provides the subject matter for a forthcoming issue of Small-scale Forest Economics, Management and Policy. However, FLORES is not about software; it is about providing the means to explore the consequences of alternative scenarios. Ultimately, FLORES is not a physical package, but an association of users and the interactions they have amongst themselves, and with the people involved in policy-making. By promoting this emerging network and providing technical support we encourage more people, especially those from developing countries, to influence the development of FLORES and the issues that can be explored within it.

A Multi-Objective Decision-Support System (MODSS) with Input from Experts in South-East Queensland

Jeffreys, Ian — 2006-07-17T00:00:00Z

This chapter reports the MODSS analysis in south-east Queensland (SEQ). This analysis was conduced as an initial analysis of options for farm forestry in the region, presenting current expert opinion on feasible farm forestry practices and there relative merits. The results of the analysis were intended for presentation to other stakeholders to be involved later in the study. This chapter includes a summary of the process of including stakeholder and technical input in the analysis. This included seeking persons with technical expertise in farm forestry, and inviting them to form a technical reference group. This group provided the technical input in the study. This chapter also reports brief descriptions of the options and criteria, the effects tables developed for this initial analysis, the results of the multi-criteria analysis and a discussion of the results.

A Multi-Objective Decision-Support System (MODSS) with Stakeholders and Experts in the Hodgson Creek Catchment

Jeffreys, Ian — 2006-07-17T00:00:00Z

This chapter reports the MODSS analysis conducted in the Hodgson Creek catchment on the Darling Downs. It summarises the process used to gain stakeholder and technical input into the analysis. Options and criteria developed for the Hodgson Creek analysis are also described briefly, as is the effects table. The results of the multi-criteria analysis are presented and discussed.

An alternative approach to accounting for natural resources: The case of multipurpose forestry in Australia

2008-06-10T12:34:37Z

Accounting reports represent one of the most widely used forms of communication on an organization's performance to its stakeholders, including existing and potential investors, regulatory agencies, and lobby groups. However, these reports often present only a partial picture of an organization's performance because nonmarket, unpriced events relating to the management of natural resources are not taken into consideration. Consequently, reliance on these reports can lead to poorly informed decisions regarding use of resources controlled by organizations. In this article, an alternative reporting framework for organizations managing natural resources is proposed, which incorporates the data management and communication skills of the accountant, and the resource valuation techniques of the economist. The proposed reporting framework is illustrated with reference to a multipurpose reforestation program in Australia, and practical issues associated with its application are discussed.

An alternative method for predicting body mass: the case of the Pleistocene marsupial lion

2007-08-15T02:24:10Z

Accurate estimates of body mass in fossil taxa are fundamental to paleobiological reconstruction. Predictive equations derived from correlation with craniodental and body mass data in extant taxa are the most commonly used, but they can be unreliable for species whose morphology departs widely from that of living relatives. Estimates based on proximal limb-bone circumference data are more accurate but are inapplicable where postcranial remains are unknown. In this study we assess the efficacy of predicting body mass in Australian fossil marsupials by using an alternative correlate, endocranial volume. Body mass estimates for a species with highly unusual craniodental anatomy, the Pleistocene marsupial lion (Thylacoleo carnifex), fall within the range determined on the basis of proximal limb-bone circumference data, whereas estimates based on dental data are highly dubious. For all marsupial taxa considered, allometric relationships have small confidence intervals, and percent prediction errors are comparable to those of the best predictors using craniodental data. Although application is limited in some respects, this method may provide a useful means of estimating body mass for species with atypical craniodental or postcranial morphologies and taxa unrepresented by postcranial remains. A trend toward increased encephalization may constrain the method's predictive power with respect to many, but not all, placental clades.

Analysis of Agribusiness and Policy Developments in China's Sheepmeat Industry of Relevance to the Australian Industry

2007-08-14T13:41:53Z

Analysis of Efficiency and Competition of Soybeans Farming System in Jember

Aji, Joni M. M. — 2006-04-06T00:00:00Z

Soybean consumption in Indonesia increased from approximately 2.0 million tons in the beginning of the 1990s to 2.4 million tons in 2002. At the same time, production declined from 1.86 million tons in 1992 to 0.87 million tons in 2001, following a more than 50 percent decline in harvested area. At least part of the decline in production is due to a decrease in the soybean import tariff that was reduced from 20 percent in 1998 to 5 percent in 2001. Farm groups have argued that this tariff should be reinstituted despite the negative effects that it would have on consumers. The present study, using the Policy Analysis Matrix methodology, demonstrates that, even at the current levels of productivity, soybeans yield a profitable return to land and management at both private and social prices. Farmers who have switched to the new seeds developed by Indonesian researchers have been able to increase productivity (and profits) substantially. This finding suggests that government efforts to reintroduce import tariffs on soybeans would be undesirable and would lead to inefficiencies in the use of domestic resources. Government investments in soybean production that are likely to have a high benefit-cost ratio are extension activities that educate farmers on the proper seed bed preparation and planting procedures for the new varieties as well as cold storage facilities that hold seeds at the proper temperature before planting. General improvements in credit facilities that make it easier for farmers to innovate would also be desirable.

Analysis of integration between Queensland feed and malting barley markets

Brown, C. G. og Gali, J. — 2008-06-06T14:19:32Z

Analysis Of Spacing For Spotted Gum Plantations For Maximising Merchantable Logs’ Volume In South East Queensland, Australia

2007-08-31T04:57:53Z

Spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora subspecies Variegata) has the potential to be the major hardwood species for large-scale plantations in South East Queensland, Australia, but production research is limited due to the lack of age of research plots. Optimal spacing is a major subject of concern. Based on time series data from a spotted gum experiment site, growth performance is analysed for five spacing levels: ─11.3 m x 11.3 m (78 stems per hectare), 7.4 m x 7.4 m (182 sph), 5.4 m x 5.4 m (343 sph), 3.6 m x 3.6 m (771 sph) and 2.9 m x 2.9 m (1189 sph). The major objective was assumed to be to maximise total merchantable log volume. A growth model was produced, and the mean diameter at breast height (dbh) and total merchantable log volume for each spacing levels at a range of harvesting ages was estimated. From the analysis, the spacing level of 5.4 m x 5.4 m was found to be optimal for maximising merchantable log volume to 10 cm small-end diameter. Further analysis of mean dbh, height and volume of the largest 200 and 250 trees from this spacing level indicates that merchantable log volume could be maximised by retaining the 250 largest trees per hectare. The total financial revenue from the best spacing level in 25 and 30 years are predicted to be $13,637 and $17,779 per hectare, respectively. If full rotation data could be obtained, more reliable models could be produced, and a more accurate financial estimate could be made.

Analysis of the optimal length of harvest season in the Australian sugar industry using a stochastic differential game of timing

Beard, R. M. og Wegener, M. K. — 2008-06-06T16:57:50Z