School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Theses
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ItemGeomorphology of the Macalister River floodplain with special reference to the nature of river channel change( 1985)The thesis presents a geormorphic study of The Macalister River floodplain with particular attention being paid to river channel changes since European settlement. The present day floodplain features are mapped and delineated into Geomorphic boundaries using aerial photographs. A geomorphological discussion is presented as to the Quaternary formation of the floodplain, taking into account the stratigraphy and Recent fluvial processes. From the aerial photos and other historical data, an investigation of channel changes since European settlement is undertaken. Natural factors of change such as flood events and inherent status of floodplain material along with factors that can be attributed to human involvement are correlated with channel change, in order to suggest the nature and reasons for changes. Chapter One includes a short background to the study in conjunction with the aims and a statement of originality. Methods used and their limitations are discussed. An overview of Australian work is included. It is not to be regarded as a literature review, as it is devoid of any critical comments. Critical analysis is done at several areas within the main body of the thesis. Chapter Two contains the geomorphological study of the floodplain and river dynamics associated with the floodplain formation. From the use of historical data along with sequential aerial photography, land use patterns and river channel changes are investigated in Chapter Three. Chapter Four is a flood frequency analysis done on the Macalister River to determine the seasonality, frequency and magnitude of flooding on the floodplain. In Chapter Five, an attempt is made to correlate the geomorphology of the floodplain and river channel changes into a discussion which focuses on the natural factors of river changes and human related factors.
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ItemA study of the land in the catchments of the Otway Range and adjacent plains( 1985)This study examines the nature and interactions of the features of the natural environment. It covers the land both in and surrounding the Otway Range, a total area of 3,685 km2. The climate is generally cool and wet. Annual rainfall ranges between 550 and 2,000mm, with a strong seasonal peak in winter. Coastal areas reflect a maritime influence - they have fewer frosts and less variation between winter and summer temperatures. The Otway Range is a prominent feature of the landscape, rising some 500-700m above sea level. It comprises Lower Cretaceous sandstones and mudstones and, except for some of the higher parts, has been deeply dissected into a rugged series of valleys and ridges. Surrounding foothills and plains to the east, west and north have been formed largely from Tertiary sands and clays, with smaller areas of marl, limestone and siltstone. Flows of Quaternary basalt have formed plains in the extreme north and east. Soils vary widely, but show certain broad trends. Deep friable profiles are found in the higher parts of the Otway Range on the relatively nutrient-rich Cretaceous sandstones. In contrast, infertile sands are common on the Tertiary sediments. Sodic duplex soils predominate in the drier areas, and most profiles on the basaltic plains have heavy-textured subsoils. Tall open forests of Eucalyptus regnans and other species cover much of the Range. The surrounding foothills carry low open forests of E. baxteri and E. nitida. A great diversity of vegetation structural formations and species colonize the exposed coastal localities. Agriculture is the predominant land use on the northern plains and in the more fertile foothills, while forestry dominates in the Range. Large parts of the Range serve as domestic water supply catchments. Coastal areas are used principally for recreation and holiday developments. The hazard of soil deterioration is severe in certain landscapes, but the resultant damage that has occurred varies. The form and intensity of land use, together with management methods, are important in determining the damage to sensitive areas. Landslips and sheet erosion are widespread on cleared land. Gullying and soil salting are common on the drier plains to the north and east. Wind erosion occurs on coastal dunes.
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ItemThe fire hazard of houses in bushland settings( 1985)The aim of the thesis was to examine trends in the pattern of house survival during a bushfire by analysing data from 450 houses affected by the bushfire of 16 February 1983 at Mount Macedon, Victoria. The possible effects on house survival of fire intensity, house design and construction materials, garden and bushland vegetation, topography, the proximity of fuels and other buildings, and the fire-fighting activities of residents and others, were evaluated. Literature concerning plant flammability was reviewed in terms of the "physical" and "chemical characteristics of live foliage. Flammability was found to decrease with increasing moisture and mineral content, with decreasing extractive content, and with decreases in the product of sample density, specific heat, and thickness. The influence on house survival of garden plants was, however, considered to depend on more than just foliage flammability: other factors, such as the degree of maintenance of the garden complex, might also be important. A logit model fitted to the house survival data established a relationship between the probability of house survival and the following variables:- fire intensity, attendance during a fire by householders and others, wall material, roof material and pitch, the proximity of flammable materials (such as heaps of fire-wood), and the height of garden vegetation. Fire intensity was considered to be the most important determinant of house survival, and fuel reduction was considered to be the major priority for the protection of houses against bushfires. The results of the survey suggested that able-bodied residents who are threatened by a bushfire should remain in their houses rather than flee in the hope of escaping the fire. Widespread adoption of this strategy may result in fewer deaths and a marked reduction in the loss of houses. Provision should, however, be made to evacuate - at least temporarily - disabled or infirm persons and the residents of houses surrounded by exceptionally high fuel loads.
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ItemThe development of methodologies for the determination and facilitation of learning for dairy farmers( 1985)Agricultural extension is a specialised sector of adult education. During the evolution of this service, industry has concentrated on increasing the rate of adoption of new or better technology. Extension research has searched for improved methods of motivating farmers to change in directions seen as being beneficial by the agency. The agencies have become increasingly accountable to their financial masters and the evaluation of extension effectiveness has been questioned more and more by both the client and the Extension Officer. In reaching for solutions agricultural extension has continued to re-examine and repackage the message or content. The people involved in extension (the Extension Officer and the Farmer Client) have largely been ignored in the examination of effectiveness. A large percentage of the farmer population has been viewed as not motivated to change. The New Zealand dairy industry is largely dependent on efficient grassland farming systems. The dairy farmers are generally aggressively competitive in their quest for increased production, efficiency and achieving family goals, particularly farm ownership. The Australian dairy industry is by comparison very diverse faced with structural and climatic problems. The attitudes of the two populations are quite different. However, this study has demonstrated that dairy farmers are very similar to other populations of adult learners in their learning behaviour. Most learning projects are related to on farm goals and are action based. The farmers are very capable self directed learners, planning, managing and directing their own projects. The issue becomes not how to motivate people to change but rather to improve the active learners' competence to manage change successfully. The methodology of investigation developed within this study evolved from a card sort to a 'conversational technique' based on practised counselling skills, supported by a visual display and Repgrid matrix computer analysis. This method exhibited considerable power to extract information and to display it in such a way that both the respondent and the investigator learnt by mutual agreement. The adoption of Personal Construct Theory as a theoretical framework enabled a strong philosophical stance to be taken, which shifted the emphasis from the content to the process of learning. The conversational technique which was developed attained a better understanding of the process of how dairy farmers mananged their learning. Other people form the major resource used by farmers, and their use depended on the perceived social distance from the learner. Each social strata, i.e. paid experts, acquaintances and intimates, played different and specific roles all of which were very important to the learner and his project management. A learning model was developed using the conversational pathways and interpreting how people were used by the learner. The support information provided by the use of the Repgrid, clearly indicated the importance to the farmer of those people with a similar cognitive structure. Membership of this group was an indication of an extension officers effectiveness. The dairy farmers interviewed were all clients of various extension officers in either Victoria or New Zealand. Agricultural professionals were numerically a minor group of the total people resources used by dairy farmers whereas other farmers were a major group. The effectiveness of extension officers depended on a number of factors including an empathy with the farmers' objectives, a clear understanding of the learning process and his part in that process, and a sensitivity to the stress of personal change and decision making. It is also essential that Extension Officers can communicate technical and managerial information in an effective manner. The role of extension in this new era of an information society will change from being simply purveyors of information to one of assisting people to change. Professional staff need to challenge farmers to learn both about the nature of change and the principles of their business. Extension agencies will be effective in achieving their organisational goals by assisting clients to interpret and use information so contributing to the already effective, on going, rural adult learning activity. The challenge is. for extension to change.
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ItemThe effects of fertilisation and wastewater irrigation on the biomass and nutrient content of Pinus radiata D. Don( 1985)Detailed measurements were made of soil and stand characteristics before experimental plots were designed and laid out by collaborators from CSIRO. Fertiliser and irrigation were applied in a 2 x 2 factorial design, giving four treatment combinations. Irrigation commenced when the stand was 15 years old, and continued for 29 months; phosphorus at the rate of 5 g m- 2 was evenly broadcast as superphosphate when the stand was 16 years old. The study of biomass and nutrient uptake was comprehensive. Above-ground biomass was estimated by regression analysis of weights and dimensions of 24 sample trees, six trees being selected from each treatment. Standing litter was sampled, and root biomass estimated from core samples and by excavating the roots of one tree per treatment. Uptake of nine nutrients was estimated after measuring their concentrations in all components of the stand. Fertilisation with phosphorus had no effect on total above-ground biomass over a two-year period. Foliar analysis at the start of the study indicated that the trees were mildly deficient in phosphorus, but there was no increase in foliage biomass after fertilisation, despite substantial uptake of the applied nutrient. The lack of growth response was attributed to limiting soil moisture. This finding reinforces results of studies elsewhere that fertiliser responses are site-specific. (From Summary)