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Abstract:
Contour furrows act to impound rainfall runoff and create favourable situations for plant growth. In the Western Catchment (NSW), furrowing and other mechanical treatments have been used since the mid-20thC. In 2009 prior furrowing works were reviewed, using published studies, residents’ observations, and geomorphic investigation of field sites. Geomorphic processes were a focus because they are fundamental to ecological permanence and (unlike vegetation surveys) independent of recent local weather. Treatments deemed successful were >10 years old, showed self-sustaining geomorphic processes and increased vegetation. Each site's natural geomorphic processes were important contributors to the furrowing outcome. Furrowing was found to be ineffective on alluvial plains. Stony gilgai sites were effective when the treatment design worked within the existing gilgai structures (especially furrow spacing and placement). Ironstone ridge sites were effective where soil permeability was re-established, with organic content a likely factor. Critical factors for success were site selection (avoiding gullied, water-starved, highuse, steep, or base-of-slope locations), treatment design (using local landscapes to determine furrow spacing and length, not furrowing stony bands in gilgai land systems), treatment installation (accurate contour placement of furrows), and post-treatment management (total grazing management is critical).
