What will climate change REALLY mean to graziers in the Western Catchment of NSW
What will climate change REALLY mean to graziers in the Western Catchment of NSW Conference Paper
17th Australian Rangeland Society Biennial Conference
- Author(s): Gepp, K.
- Published: 2012
- Publisher: Australian Rangeland Society
Abstract: Graziers in the Western Catchment of New South Wales (NSW) experience a climate that varies both seasonally and across the region with several implications for how land, water, pasture and animal production are managed. The Western Catchment Management Authority (WCMA) is a statutory authority managing the natural resources of the Western Catchment, an area of 230,000 square kilometres (29% of NSW) and encompasses multiple land uses including extensive grazing, dryland cropping, irrigated agriculture, mining, tourism and nature conservation. The implications of predicted climate change for graziers are blurred by an overload of information - often clouding the issue of ‘does climate change exist and are any changes necessary’. This leads to uncertainty that then impacts on short and long term management decisions. Current literature demonstrates that there is evidence of upward trends to temperature, rainfall and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels at a global, national and regional level. Regardless of how these changes are named, the evidence illustrates that they are real trends. Graziers can expect changes in plant and animal migrations, erosion, algae blooms, heat stress-related animal production issues and grasses being out-competed by thickening woody cover. To manage uncertain changes, graziers must have the capacity to evaluate, implement and monitor strategic management options – ensuring their ability to adapt and be resilient. This paper identifies predicted needs for change that are within the means and abilities of landholders as well as supporting agencies.
- Urls: https://www.austrangesoc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Paper-2-1-Katrina-Gepp.pdf , https://www.austrangesoc.com.au/biennial-conference/17th-biennial-conference-papers-2012/
- Publisher Location: Kununurra, Western Australia,