School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Research Publications
Permanent URI for this collection
Search Results
1 - 10 of 12
-
ItemControls and counterfactual information in agro-ecological investment(ANU Press, 2016)
-
ItemFlammability at field-scales: conducting research in prescribed burns(UNIV COIMBRA, 2018)To better understand the role of plant flammability in driving landscape-scale fire behaviour and fire regimes, field-scale flammability research needs to occur. Yet, experimental fires are costly to implement and research within wildfires is both logistically challenging and potentially dangerous. As an alternative, we propose that operational prescribed burns undertaken for land management purposes should be exploited for flammability research.. In some parts of the world, large areas are burnt annually, providing extensive opportunities for research. In this paper we describe three broad methods that can be used to measure different facets of flammability in prescribed burns. We compare the strengths and potential limitations of each method before finally providing ten principles for conducting effective flammability research in prescribed burns. We conclude that operational prescribed burns are a largely untapped resource that could be used to better understand links between plant flammability and landscape-scale fire behaviour.
-
ItemManagement of firebrand potential through the candling of bark fuel(UNIV COIMBRA, 2018)Aerially suspended fuels play an important role in forest fire behaviour. They can act as a ladder to flames, increasing the potential for crownfire, and can ignite and act as firebrands. When large accumulations of these fuels are present, wildfires may spread more rapidly, be more difficult to suppress and be more likely to impact assets such as houses. However, as these fuels are suspended above the ground, their moisture status is predominantly a function of atmospheric humidity. As a result, bark and suspended fuels may become flammable at times when the remainder of the fuel bed is too wet to burn due to high soil moisture levels. This means that these fuels can be reduced by burning when conditions are unfavourable for prescribed burning using the practice candling. Candling is the deliberate ignition of bark and other dead fine ladder fuels under conditions where surface fires are unlikely to spread. We compared the number of days available for prescribed burning and candling for a locality in South Eastern Australia and found that in the period 2012 – 2016, candling could be undertaken for an average 124 days per year, 48 days more than the window available for prescribed burning (76 days). As each accumulation of aerial fuel must be individually lit during candling, the practice is labour intensive and inefficient over large areas relative to prescribed burning, so it is best used for targeted risk reduction such as near control lines or assets. However, it can be used to reduce risk with low chance of escape in locations where prescribed burning is difficult such as the Wildland Urban Interface. The practice is applied operationally in South Eastern Australia, however to date there has been limited research into its effects on wildfire spread and intensity. Given its suitability for strategic use near highly vulnerable assets, we believe further investigation into its utility is warranted.
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableTherapeutic Potential of Seaweed Bioactive Compounds(IntechOpen, 2018)Edible seaweeds are rich in bioactive compounds such as soluble dietary fibers, proteins, peptides, minerals, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. Previously, seaweeds were only used as gelling and thickening agents in the food or pharmaceutical industries, recent researches have revealed their potential as complementary medicine. The red, brown and green seaweeds have been shown to have therapeutic properties for health and disease management, such as anticancer, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiestrogenic, thyroid stimulating, neuroprotective, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and tissue healing properties. In proposed chapter, we discussed various active compounds include sulphated polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids (e.g. fucoxanthin), minerals, peptides and sulfolipids, with proven benefits against degenerative metabolic diseases. Moreover, therapeutic modes of action of these bioactive components and their reports are summarized in this chapter.
-
ItemFundamental molecular techniques for rhizobia(Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), 2016)Study of the legume/rhizobium symbiosis necessitates an understanding of methods to isolate and characterise the bacteria. Since the publication of ‘A manual for the practical study of root-nodule bacteria’ by Jim Vincent (1970) a number of sequels have been published, such as the NifTAL, CIAT and CIMMYT manuals, which are now out of date and out of print. Discoveries of a much wider range of root-nodulating bacteria than previously known means that even simple isolation methods need revisiting to ensure unusual types of bacteria are not discarded. Drawing on the rich experience from earlier publications, this manual brings together state-of-the-art methods for the study of root-nodule bacteria, both in the free-living state and in symbiosis with legumes. In each chapter, we introduce the topic and provide guidance on how study of the symbiosis might best be tackled. We then provide a detailed description of protocols that need to be followed and highlight potential problems and pitfalls. Topics covered include acquiring, recognising, growing and storing rhizobia, experimenting with strains in the laboratory, glasshouse and field, and applying contemporary molecular and genetic methodologies to assist in the study of rhizobia. We include a chapter that describes the current taxonomy and physiological understanding of rhizobia, and another on the production of inoculants and quality control in the supply chain.
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableMANAGEMENT OPTIONS TO ADDRESS DIFFUSE CAUSES OF HYDROLOGIC ALTERATION(ACADEMIC PRESS LTD-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2017)
-
ItemAddressing Social, Economic and Environmental Objectives and Values through Decision Support Systems(Routledge, 2017)From Concept to Practice John L. Innes, Anna V. Tikina. understand and are ... Table 2.2 Objectives and principles for the sustainable management of natural tropical forests, and their relationship to ITTO's criteria and indicators. Objective ...
-
ItemReconnecting Cities To The Biosphere: Stewardship Of Green Infrastructure And Urban Ecosystem Services(Apple Academic Press, 2015-07-28)
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableImpacts of rainwater tanks on urban hydrology and stormwater quality(IWA Publishing, 2015)
-
ItemAdvances in forest fire research(Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, 2014)