Agricultural Sustainability
 CSE
aims to develop prosperous and sustainable rural livelihoods and enterprises
driven by innovative management, in tune with the Australian
environment, and adapted to global change. In partnership
with landholders, we analyse farming systems to improve agricultural
mangement. A key challenge is the need to balance production
and conservation goals to ensure continuing viability.
Current activities
Research effort is focused on:
- Agro-ecosystem function and prediction
- Australian agricultural transformed
- Economic and environmental performance of Australian agriculture.
Research examples:
 Farming
systems - This area focuses on farming systems that
extend from traditional grain-grazing systems through to new
commodities and enterprises.
Sustainable intensive production - These projects focus best practice management of water and nutrient resources and appropriate diversification of farming enterprises and land use practices in tropical landscapes.
FARMSCAPE - This unique approach to farming systems research that combines both practical and scientific agricultural knowledge to create decision tools for farmers.
Native Foods - CSIRO is working in conjunction with Aboriginal communities and Australian industry to learn more about ‘bush tucker’ and put Australian native foods on the menu.
Research in action:
past projects, achievements and articles
Agriculture: adapting to climate change pdf
file (87 kb)
Nick Goldie and Monica Van Wensveen describe how Australian
farmers can lessen the imapct of climate change by developing
more 'resilient' agricultural systems.
ECOS 115, April-June 2003
New grazing approach is vital for sustainability pdf
file (359 kb)
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems scientists explain the role of
property management planning and how producers can manage
soils and pastures to prevent erosion and maintain production
and biodiversity.
Farming Ahead 120, December 2001
Maintaining trees enhances grazing potential pdf
file (299 kb)
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems scientists explain the benefits
of maintaining trees, wildlife habitats and watercourses on
farms. Farming Ahead 121, January 2002
New decision tool manages mouse plagues pdf
file (365 kb)
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems scientist discusses the development
of a new computer software package to help farmers better
control mice and predict potential mice plagues. Farming Ahead
125, May 2002
Rat Cunning pdf file (778 kb)
Steven Davidson joins the hunt for better ways to manage resourceful rat populations. ECOS 103, April-June 2000
An overview of the adaptive capacity of the Australian agricultural sector to climate change - options, costs and benefits pdf file (1.5 mb)
Mark Howden, Andrew Ash, Snow Barlow, Trevor Booth, Stephen Charles, Bob Cechet, Steven Crimp, Roger Gifford, Kevin Hennessy, Roger Jones, Miko Kirschbaum, Greg McKeon, Holger Meinke, Sarah Park, Bob Sutherst, Leanne Webb, Peter Whetton, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, 2003.
>> Agricultural
Landscapes Program
>> Rangelands and Savannas
>> Tropical Landscapes
|
Research 
