e-infrastructure Roadmap for Open Science in Agriculture

The use of buffers to protect streams in the agricultural landscape is a priority internationally for investing in water quality protection. However, the quantitative benefits of this practice are difficult to predict for a range of water quality parameters. It also has been generally unclear in Australia how codes of forest practice apply to situations where land managers want to use forest plantation trees in stream-side buffers for both environmental and commercial benefits. We are conducting research to quantify the effects on water quality and stream flow of using plantation buffers on pastured farmland, and developing knowledge and guidelines that will influence policy and practice. A paired-catchment experiment of the plantation establishment phase has commenced, and other work will address the harvesting phase and farm-scale economics. A range of water quality parameters are being monitored, with hillslope nitrogen dynamics a particular focus for measurement and modelling. In the establishment phase experiment, pre-establishment monitoring of water quality was followed by installation of the plantation buffer in August 2008. Early results indicate that soil disturbance close to the stream associated and with spot cultivation for tree seedlings has not adversely affected turbidity of stream water. The HYDRUS model (including the CW2D nitrogen module) will be used for modelling hillslope nitrogen dynamics (mineralisation, nitrification, leaching, runoff, denitrification and uptake) as affected by buffer establishment. The buffer could particularly affect soil water status, denitrification and uptake, the combined effect of which could mitigate nitrogen delivery to the stream. By validating this approach in the experimental catchment, we expect to provide a modelling framework that can be applied to a diverse range of situations, e.g. designing buffer widths and management to achieve particular water quality nitrogen objectives in contrasting soil and climate conditions. Early results will be shown that indicate progress towards this objective. By linking various aspects of the research we expect to influence streamside buffer adoption and management at several scales. At the national and state scales we are in the process of advising regulators on improvements to codes of forest practice and policy options that encourage adoption. At the regional scale we have started advising natural resource managers of the quantitative effects of streamside buffers on water outcomes. At the farm scale we will be developing guidelines for the practical aspects of buffer management and advising on the expected costs and benefits.