Remote Australia Online

The Giant Sweet Potato, 'Ipomoea polpha' subsp. 'latzii' R.W.Johnson (Convolvulaceae), or 'Antjulkinah', is a rare plant endemic to central Australia, and features prominently in the mythology of the Traditional Owners of the area, the Anmatjerre people. The taxon is known from three sub-populations and has a highly restricted geographic distribution. Our study of the distribution, density and population size of 'Ipomoea polpha' subsp. 'latzii' incorporated traditional ecological knowledge, and led to the identification of an additional extensive sub-population. The distance-transect method was used to calculate estimates of population size and density for the Giant Sweet Potato, and is one of the only published examples of the application of this method to a plant species. We estimate the area of occupancy of the taxon to be at least 26.7 km2, significantly greater than the population estimate reported by a survey in 1987. Our data support listing the species as Vulnerable under IUCN (2008) criterion D2.

To undertake an international literature review on the loss of storage water through surface evaporation. This includes the impact water evaporation has on semi-arid and arid livestock pastoral enterprises, the technologies available to reduce water evaporation and an assessment of their applicability, cost and practicality for arid zone pastoralism.

Australia supports the largest free-ranging population of one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the world. The species was introduced to Australia in the mid 1800s for transport and haulage purposes. However, with adoption of mechanised transport, reliance on camels declined and many were released or abandoned to establish feral populations. In 2007, the feral population in Australia has been estimated to be around one million camels, with the number doubling every eight years. As the population of feral camels increases, so too do their negative impacts on desert ecology, cultural values and human enterprise. In this paper, we discuss camel-specific disease risk and features of the camel’s physiology, anatomy and behaviour, which could potentially be exploited as an Achilles’ heel to manage the species and its impacts in arid Australia. This discussion promotes consideration of the Achilles’ heel concept in order to improve feral camel management across Australia.

Jon Corbett, Guy Singleton and Kado Muir describe how a joint project with the Aboriginal Walkatjurra Cultural Centre in Australia, Curtin University of Technology and the University of British Columbia Okanagan have been exploring the use of Web 2.0 tools to help revitalize culture and enhance community development. This article explores how the use of Web 2.0 and other digital tools has contributed towards this aim - and how using the tools helped to positively engage youth in such activities.

Approximately 18% of Australia can be classed as desert and about 66% of the continent receives an annual rainfall of less than 500mm, classifying it as arid or semi-arid land. Desert Australia is vast, has few residents and even fewer roads but has become a place of fascination for visitors who are willing to travel into this region. Tourism has been suggested as one industry that has some scope to add economic value to Australia's desert regions as well as providing employment and business opportunities. To date there has been little research into the profile of desert visitors, their motives and the activities they participate in. In this paper, we look at the place of desert tourism within the travel activities of 4Wheel Drive (WD) club members. This paper reports on the characteristics of 4WD club members and their general 4WD holiday experiences in a desert environment. Results suggest a good match between activities and motivations, a promising sign for 4WD desert tourism which offers many opportunity sought by 4WDrivers on vacation.

This paper presents a range of information, ideas and questions about the current mechanisms for supplying bush-harvested bush tomatoes to the marketplace via the Outback Spirit value chain. It examines the nature of participation of actors in this chain using Netchain Analysis, and discusses ideas for improving the effectiveness of the chain. The paper identifies issues of power asymmetry related to resource flows, information sharing and knowledge creation and their importance as factors in the effectiveness of the chain. The paper also highlights the importance and impact of inter-cultural settings and particularly their impact on participation of marginalised members of the chain. It does this in light of both international supply chain development literature and by presenting a Weberian perspective on rationality for economic participation. Finally, the paper proposes options that could be considered in further developing this chain.

Vegetation surveys collect species-diversity information, a potentially valuable ecological indicator. However, the number of species recorded by vegetation surveys is influenced by several factors including inherent species-diversity, sampling method and sampling effort. The process of rarefaction is commonly used to control for variation in sampling effort. We aimed to use a combination of rarefaction and additive partitioning to control for sampling effort and extract vegetation α-, β- and γ-diversity respectively. The study focused on the Stony Plains region of the South Australian rangelands. Vegetation quadrat survey data was collected for land condition monitoring and species inventory by two government agencies. The analysis revealed a strong residual influence of sampling effort on β- and γ-diversity after rarefaction, a finding not previously reported in the literature. Modelling of the residual relationship between sampling effort and β- and γ-diversity allowed us to create an index of species-diversity free from sampling effort influence. The method outlined in this paper extracts α-, β- and γ-diversity from standard vegetation survey data and removes the influence of sampling effort on β- and γ-diversity. This method is transferable to any other region for which there is vegetation survey data.

Rare, small or annual vegetation species are widely known to be imperfectly detected with single site surveys by most conventional vegetation survey methods. However, the detectability of common, persistent vegetation species is assumed to be high, but without supporting research. In this study, we evaluate the extent of false-negative errors of perennial vegetation species in a systematic vegetation survey in arid South Australia. Analysis was limited to the seven most easily detected persistent vegetation species and controlled for observer skill. By comparison of methodologies, we then predict the magnitude of non-detection error rates in a second survey. The analysis revealed that all but one highly detectable perennial vegetation species was imperfectly detected (detection probabilities ranged from 0.22 to 0.83). While focussed in the Australian rangelands, the implications of this study are far reaching. Inferences drawn from systematic vegetation surveys that fail to identify and account for non-detection errors should be considered potentially flawed. The identification of this problem in vegetation surveying is long overdue. By comparison, non-detection has been a widely acknowledged, and dealt with, problem in fauna surveying for decades. We recommend that, where necessary, vegetation survey methodology adopt the methods developed in fauna surveying to cope with non-detection errors.

It is becoming increasingly important to monitor biodiversity in the extensive Australian rangelands; currently however, there is no method capable of achieving this goal. There are two potential sources of relevant data that cover the Australian rangelands, and from which measures of biodiversity might be extracted: traditional field-based methods such as quadrat surveys have collected flora and fauna species data throughout the rangelands, but at fine scale; satellite remote sensing collects biologically relevant, spatially comprehensive data. The goal of this thesis was to provide the spatially comprehensive measure of biodiversity required for informed management of the Australian rangelands. The study specifically focused on the Stony Plains in the South Australian rangelands. To that end the thesis aimed to develop indices capable of measuring and/or monitoring biodiversity from vegetation quadrat survey data and remotely sensed data.

This working paper presents the results of a review undertaken as part of the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre Livelihoods inLand™ research project. One of the elements of potential demand for desert people to work in natural and cultural resource management comes from government agencies which have responsibility for aspects of natural and cultural resource management. The paper examines the portfolio of the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NRETAS), including both statutory and nonstatutory activities, to identify tasks currently being undertaken by departmental staff which could potentially be outsourced. The paper specifically looks at what existing tasks are readily contractible or easily outsourced without major organisational change with specific reference to two case study areas in central Australia: Ntaria-Tjuwanpa and Anmatjere. Some of those functions that are already outsourced are also documented. Also documented are potential activities not currently undertaken by NRETAS due to capacity constraints and related prioritisation which would be useful additions to conserving and enhancing the Northern Territory’s natural and cultural assets if they were to be funded. Some such activities could be undertaken to support broader government goals of developing the economies and capacities of remote communities. The study concludes that the quantum of activity that could be outsourced within any one region is small; that the best initial opportunities must be targeted and are likely to be associated directly with parks and reserves; and indirectly with assisting ranger groups through training which enables them to undertake work for third parties.

ABS and other population analysts suggest that population mobility is one of the most difficult aspects to understand in relation to population analysis. In central Australia the impact of colonisation, the establishment of missions and cattle stations and the development of the town of Alice Springs and the settlements around it have had a major impact on population displacement. Population mobility has a major socioeconomic impact on both the immigrating, transient and permanent populations; it has implication for service delivery and for the stability, strength and, at times, governance. In central Australia there has been an ongoing debate about urban drift1 – its existence and impact. The issue has been covered in local media, often presented as an argument for leveraging additional financial support for service organisations in town. However, not much is known about the nature of the urban drift, whether in fact there is drift or circular mobility, or the role of major service centres such as Alice Springs. Many people may move to Alice Springs with accompanying family members for long-term medical treatment and then move back to their homes in remote communities. This research provides some insight into the issues related to mobility and housing.

This paper is developed as a conceptual contribution to the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre’s (DKCRC) analysis of the success of business enterprises in desert Australia. Developed within the paper is a model of the main dynamic taxonomic pathways for approaching sustainable business. Several points of discussion are developed. First is a consideration of the nature of taxonomies and the need for an integrated approach to taxonomy in the context of sustainable business. Second, attention is drawn to the varied understanding about the notion of business in the eyes of different stakeholders. Third is the development of a set of pragmatic questions that a taxonomy of business needs to address: Why are we in business? What is the business doing? Where is the business going to conduct its operations? How is the business conducted? When is the business operating? and Who is involved in the business? A basic taxonomic model that integrates these fundamental pragmatic questions is then developed as a pro forma and aide memoire for DKCRC participants concerned with exploring desert businesses and identifying issues on which many researchers converge as a basis for cooperative research: the intertwining and interrelationship between the social, environmental and economic.

The four-wheel drive (4WD) tourism market has been identified as an important one for desert Australia. The market appears to be relatively large and likely to continue to grow in the foreseeable future. Desert ‘tracks’ are the core attraction for 4WD tourists, allowing them to disperse from the major road networks and service centres. While this presents an opportunity for economic development, little is currently known about the economic organization of tracks, and particularly how they contribute to local economies. This research maps out some aspects of economic activity around the Gunbarrel Highway to explore the extent to which local entrepreneurship and collaboration is apparent. The research shows that the 4WD market is unlikely to respond in the same way as other drive tourism markets to the introduction of new products and infrastructure, and there is a risk that local economic benefits from this activity will continue to be marginal. There appears to be little advantage taken of potential opportunities to diversify the market through collaborative arrangements.

The purpose of this report is to identify key issues in the sustainability of Alice Springs as a desert settlement that services its own and surrounding populations. It necessarily takes the assumption, therefore, that the sustainability of Alice Springs is at risk. The approach required the documentation of resource flows and their supporting systems of social organisation.

The On Track research program aimed to identify how the proper management of four wheel drive (4WD) tourism could contribute to the livelihoods of desert people. The program was initiated as a result of the recommendations of a 2004/05 scoping study commissioned by the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre (DKCRC) that found that research into the 4WD market could contribute to the development of a viable tourism industry in the desert. On Track was led by Dr Dean Carson from Charles Darwin University. A wide range of research institutions, government bodies, private sector companies and consumer interest groups contributed to the research. On Track research was specifically designed to examine four issues: – how to increase the incentives for 4WD visitors to spend money in desert areas and consequently provide greater benefits to desert settlements – how to protect cultural, social and natural values from the impact of 4WD tourism – how to encourage safer and more appropriate driving practices in order to reduce the barriers to consumer participation in 4WD tourism and the costs of its management – how to achieve better coordination of the marketing and management of desert 4WD tourism destinations.

Four wheel drive tourism appears to offer some potential for economic development in desert Australia. Realising this potential in a sustainable way will require attention to issues of destination competitiveness, innovation and manageability (in regards to travellers’ safety, and environmental, social and cultural impacts). This paper reports on several surveys of four wheel drive travellers to present evidence of the extent to which the market favours deserts over other destinations (competitiveness), the extent to which the market can be diversified and made resilient (innovation), and the willingness of the market to engage in processes which mitigate environmental, social and cultural impacts (manageability). It finds that the desert is a favoured environment for four wheel drive travel but that other environments are more favoured. There appear to be a range of market segments based on motivations, activities, and demographics which offer potential for a diversified marketplace. There are major differences, for example, between domestic and international travellers. The extent to which travellers, and particularly relatively inexperienced travellers, are willing to engage in processes to mitigate environmental, social and cultural impacts is not well understood.

Desert Australia is a vast, largely unpopulated area serviced by few roads. In recent years, tourism has been identified as an industry that has some potential to generate employment and investment opportunities in the region. Because of the distances involved and the largely unsealed road network that radiates off the main north-south highway much of the region is inaccessible to conventional vehicles. As a consequence, interest in four-wheel-drive (4WD) tourism has grown and a number of desert regions have identified this group as a potential market that could be further developed. One of the experiences that is associated with parts of desert Australia is its heritage values, both natural and built. This paper explores the role of heritage as a motivation to travel to desert Australia by four-wheel-drivers and the subsequent proportion of visitor expenditure that can be attributed to heritage tourism consumption. It concludes that while heritage is just one of many components of a 4WD trip, there may be substantial potential for increasing its economic contribution.

Since the post World War Two boom in private automobile ownership, Drive Tourism has transformed the tourism landscape by facilitating dispersal and the growth of attractions and tourism related infrastructure beyond the zones that had previously emerged around seaports and railway terminals. The automobile has made regional dispersal possible and created opportunities for many small rural communities to supplement rural economies with a tourism economy. Drive Tourism is a popular form of tourism activity that has significantly contributed to the development of Tourism in many nations, but has received relatively little attention in the literature. This book is the first attempt to provide a global comprehensive review and scholarly investigation into this popular and growing form of tourism. It draws on a vast range of geographical locations to critically explore the impacts of drive tourism in developed and underdeveloped regions. It evaluates tourism authorities’ response to the Drive Tourism Experience, and offers operational insights into the management of the drive experience as well as providing original empirical research and insights into the field that will contribute to future investigation. In doing so it explores the many forms of drive tourism from caravanning to fly drive touring.

Analysis of State, Territory and Commonwealth legislation affecting the management of feral camels was undertaken for those jurisdictions where the species is or could be a problem. Eight areas of analysis were undertaken; in each area inconsistencies were found that are likely to affect the management of feral camels: i. Ownership ii. Legal obligations to control iii. Legal obligations for welfare iv. Access v. Welfare over-riding other access restrictions vi. Culling vii. Processing viii. Fencing and transport Recommendations have been made to ameliorate these legal impediments to camel control as follows: i. Ownership ii. Legal obligations to control iii. Legal obligations for welfare iv. Access v. Welfare over-riding other access restrictions vi. Culling vii. Processing viii. Transport

Two concerns of national relevance in central Australia are the continuing decline in Aboriginal health status relative to the rest of the Australian population, and the loss of environmental services. We draw on literature from a number of disciplines to show that not only are these two concerns interrelated but that dealing with them is inextricably connected through consideration of the psychosocial determinants of health. Involvement by Aboriginal people in land management can promote the joint supply of environmental and health services. We show that Aboriginal control of land management can result in economies through the joint supply of environmental and health services. However, because Aboriginal people derive little benefit from the provision of public goods generated through land management, they have little incentive to provide a socially optimal supply of these goods. The policy issue for government is the selection of the appropriate policy tools to facilitate the involvement of Aboriginal people in land management and the optimal supply of health and environmental services. The cost-effectiveness plane is used to provide a simple framework to guide the selection of an appropriate policy tool.

Questions exist as to whether the delivery of health and environmental services to remote Australia is adequate. This is particularly so in regard to Aboriginal people living on their traditional country. The respective State, Northern Territory and Commonwealth governments are looking at how the delivery of these services might be improved. At the same time, increasing recognition is given to the health benefits that Aboriginal people obtain through the provision of environmental services – looking after country through activities such as controlling feral animals and traditional patch burning. Improved health outcomes may arise from the impact of engagement in looking after country, in the longer term from the psychosocial determinants of health, and from the more immediate impacts of improved diet and exercise. Further, Aboriginal capacity to look after country and to participate in the wider economy is expected to increase as a result of improved health. There has been little attempt to look at the economic advantages and possible improvements in health and environmental outcomes obtainable through the joint supply of health and environmental services. Because of the social determinants of health, the joint supply of these services can result in benefits including improved psychological and social wellbeing, increased income, and increased involvem ent in constructive activities with a related decrease in drug taking and other forms of destructive behaviour. The economic implications of these relationships and means of achieving them are reviewed in this paper.

Indigenous tourism1 has been identified as providing significant competitive market advantage for the Australian tourism industry as well as considerable economic opportunities for desert communities. However, at the present time many Indigenous businesses find it difficult to achieve sustainability. This paper examines some of the difficulties faced by the sector as well as some initiatives that could improve the sector’s performance. A holistic approach needs to be taken to develop sustainable Indigenous tourism businesses. There is potential for the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre (DKCRC) to take a leading role in the sector by undertaking applied research as well as providing specific industry development programs. This paper presents a conceptual model of the DKCRC as well as a new 10-step program that the DKCRC could implement to improve the sector’s performance.

The arid climate of central Australia has provided a continuous habitat and livelihood for Aboriginal people for over 40 000 years. A unique understanding of the environment allowed them to live in a difficult and harsh climate. For about 130 years the settler pastoral industry has both prospered and battled to survive in central Australia. Settlement of the central Australian region came from the south and the east with both beef and sheep being driven from South Australia and Queensland. Vegetation types, the harsh climate and the native dingoes contributed to the predominance of cattle as the more suitable stock for the region. The continuous operation of grazing enterprises has helped to develop inland and northern Australia and to shape the social fabric of the area. Today cattle production is the major primary industry in central Australia and occurs on stations with areas measured in square kilometres rather than hectares, due to their extensive size. The average property in the region is 3885 square km and carries approximately 6000 head, which graze the native pastures of the arid zone. The survival of the stock, and production system based on them, is intimately linked to the region’s climate. There are 64 cattle enterprises in central Australia, predominantly family owned businesses, as opposed to the large corporate companies found in northern Australia.1 The ownership of properties in central Australia is relatively stable; the average length of tenure is 25 years, and approximately half of the stations are owner/operator enterprises. While new technologies have helped to reduce the level of physical labouring required on stations, a ready workforce is still required to keep the enterprise operating. The average station in the central Australian region employs three permanent staff, and an additional three seasonal staff are employed during busy times.

This report outlines a market analysis of the Australian bush tomato (Solanum centrale) and wattle seed (Acacia spp) products. The project was commissioned to explicitly characterise and map the Australian bush tomato and wattle seed value chains from production through to domestic distribution and final consumption, and to identify and evaluate high value market segments that might be used to focus the business developments associated with these two products. The following criteria were investigated in some detail: Industry stakeholders and activities, product creation and delivery, financial conditions, information conditions, incentives, motivators and drivers, and governance conditions The analysis has shown that demand for bush food products in general has grown in the last two years, and that currently, bush tomato (BT) is in higher demand than wattle seed (WS). However, it was also found that while a viable and growing bush food industry exists that involves both products, there are considerable challenges to developing a sustainable industry around them, both from a production and from a market perspective. These include: • Supply issues • Internal industry competition • Food safety and traceability • Consumers • Business skills development needs

In recent years, with the formation of organisations such as the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre, social science interest in the Australian desert has re-surfaced with a research emphasis that is focused on creating sustainable futures for the region. One consequence of this is a demand for detailed demographic information to allow an assessment of different quanta of need in social and economic policy, and for assessment of the impact of these in environmental policy. However, demographic analysis on human populations in the desert to date has attracted very little research attention. In this paper we begin to address this lack of analysis by focusing on the populations, both aboriginal and non-aboriginal, of the arid and semi-arid zones of Australia. We extend earlier analysis by including for the first time demographic information on the semi-arid as well as the arid zone to establish the spatial pattern of population growth within the whole desert area drawing attention to the resulting settlement structure as an outcome of prevailing social, cultural and economic conditions. By examining population structure and demographic components of population change we also present for the first time population projections for the semi-arid zone and, therefore, in combination with the arid zone, for the entire Australian desert. All of this provides a basis for considering social and economic policy implications and the nature of underlying processes that drive change in this region.