Investigators and Partners

This project is the product of the combined efforts of many interdisciplinary researchers of various expertise and was initiated by:

• Prof. Jason Beringer (Micrometeorology)(UWA)
• Prof. Ross Thompson (Aquatic ecologist)(ACU)
• Dr. Timothy Cavagnaro (Soil ecologist)(Uni Adelaide)
• Prof. Ralph Mac Nally (Landscape ecologist)(ACU)
• Dr. Patrick Baker (Plant biology)(The Uni Melbourne)
• Mr Mark Eigenraam (DSE)
• Mr Leon Metzeling (EPA)

Project Overview

Farming carbon via tree plantings on pasture land is becoming increasingly common to address the effects of climate change. This activity is likely to produce dramatic changes in Australia's rural landscapes, but we have little knowledge of likely effects on crucial ecosystem services and attributes such as stream water yields and biodiversity. This project investigates the relationship between tree cover, carbon uptake, water yield and biodiversity. The outcomes will allow government agencies, landowners and carbon farming groups to better evaluate the effects of different landscape planning options and contribute to effective long-term planning for multiple goals. The site was established in October 2011 as part of an ARC Linkage project "More bang for your carbon buck: carbon, biodiversity and water balance consequences of whole-catchment carbon farming" (LP0990038) Dr Ross Michael Thompson, A/Prof Jason Beringer, Dr Timothy Richard Cavagnaro, Prof Ralph Charles Mac Nally, Dr Patrick John Baker, Mr Mark Eigenraam, Mr Leon Metzeling. The research is funded through an ARC Linkage grant, in conjunction with generous contributions from the Victorian Department of Sustainability, Catchmetn Management Authorities, EPA Victoria and Kilter Pty Ltd. The tower will provide longterm measurements as part of the Ozflux network and the infrastructure is partly funded through the NCRIS TERN OzFlux and Supersite facilities.

Key research questions

The Riggs Creek site will enable us to assess how revegetation affects the interaction among carbon dynamics, water regimes (quality, quantity and frequency) and biodiversity across the landscape (above- and below-ground terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems).

We will develop a robust observational and modelling platform for soil-plant-atmosphere carbon and water fluxes for a range of land-use practices, including carbon farming, in these landscapes.

We will assess how carbon farming can be modified to increase biodiversity conservation.

The Site Location

The Riggs Creek flux station is located within the Goulburn-Broken catchment, approximately 40km south east of Shepparton, Victoria and is located in Goulburn-Broken catchment in North-Eastern Victoria: -36.6499 S 145.5760 E.

Site Characteristics

The flux tower site is located within an area of dryland agriculture. The surrounding area is dominated by broadacre farming practices. The vegetation cover is predominantly pasture. Elevation of the site is close to 152m and mean annual precipitation at a nearby Bereau of Meteorology site measures 650mm.

Maximum temperatures range from 12.3?C (in July) to 29.7?C (in February), while minimum temperatures range from 10.4?C (in July) to 26.8?C (in February).

The instrument mast is 4 meters tall. Heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide measurements are taken using the open-path eddy flux technique. Temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall and net radiation are measured. Soil heat fluxes are measured and soil moisture content is gathered using time domain reflectometry.

Data

Data from this site is available through the OzFlux data portal international FLUXNET database or via the investigators email jason.beringer[@]uwa.edu.au

Further Information

• Prof. Jason Beringer
• School of Agriculture and Environment
• The Australian Flux Network (OzFlux)
• The Terrestrial Ecosystem Science Network (TERN)
• The Terrestrial Ecosystem Science Network (TERN) Supersite network
• The National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS)
• The International FLUXNET

Acknowledgements

This site is produced by Prof. Jason Beringer, UWA, School of Agriculture and Environment and proudly part of the Australian Flux Network(OzFlux) and supported by the Australian NCRIS Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN). Australian Research Council grants supported this work (LP0990038 and FT110100602)