| Project Title |
Participants |
Details and Outcomes |
| Development of Improved Crop and Sugar Delivery Forecasting Systems for Queensland Sugar industry (QSL) |
Prof Roger Stone
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
Mr Torben Marcussen
Dr Kevin McDougall
Ms Lynda Brunton (USQ);
Mr Neil Cliffe (DEEDI);
Dr Yvette Everingham Dr Geoff Bamber(JCU);
|
The Australian sugarcane industry is strongly influenced by the impacts of weather and seasonal variation. The success of the sugar industry depends heavily on capitalising on the opportunities and minimising the risks associated with climate variability along the supply chain.
Key outcome: Improvement in more consistent and reliable delivery forecasts and minimising the risks associated with cane delivery and harvest management along the supply chain. |
|
Relocation of intensive crop production systems to northern Australia:
Costs and opportunities
|
Dr Geoff Cockfield
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
|
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) under its Climate Change Research Program (CCRP) funded project aims to undertake work in the Burdekin and Ord considers likely impacts on production if moving to northern Australia. Special emphasis on water security for cotton, rice and tomato production. The approach taken considers the production of these crops from the paddock and through the value chain.
Key outcome: provision of greatly improved capability in identifying long-term viability of agricultural production under climate change. |
| Climate Modelling of the Condamine Catchment |
Prof Roger Stone
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
Mr Torben Marcussen |
Development of more refined climate change outputs at a regional/catchment scale.
Key outcome: improved understanding of likely climate change impacts on the Condamine Catchment, especially in terms of precipitation and temperature. Improved overall capability in climate change modelling that can be linked to future external projects. |
The 2008 floods in Queensland:
A case study of vulnerability, resilience, and adaptive capacity |
Dr Armando Apan
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq |
NCCARF-funded project on the provision of case study reports and analysis regarding community resilience in the face of extreme climate and weather events – in this case severe flooding in western Queensland.
Key outcome: improved understanding of community coping capacities in the face of high-impact weather, potentially more frequent under climate change. |
High Impact heat wave modelling in
urban cities
|
AdjunctProf Peter Best
Prof Roger Stone
Mr Torben Marcussen
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq |
NCCARF-funded project on the modelling of extreme heat wave/high impact weather on major Australian cities.
Key outcome: improved understanding of high-impact weather return periods and associated analytical techniques. Value for future climate change impact studies. |
| Forest Vulnerability Assessment Socio-economic impacts review |
Dr Geoff Cockfield
Dr Tek Maraseni |
NCCARF-funded project on forest sustainability under climate variability and climate change.
Key outcome: improved understanding of social and community vulnerability under climate change relevant to this industry. |
| Technological change in the Australian irrigation industry |
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
Dr Tek Maraseni |
A fellowship to develop an integrated analysis quantifying the tradeoffs between water saving, economic impact and energy consumption at field, farm and system-level as a result of technological change in the Australian irrigation industry.
Key outcome: improved contribution to the effective implementation of national water reforms and emission trading schemes. |
| Australian Leadership Award Fellowship training |
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
Prof Roger Stone
Asoc Prof Joachim Ribbe |
Development of short, high intensity and focussed workshop training programs for Australian and Asian scientists and program managers.
Key outcome: improved capability in sustainable farming and water resource management in Australian and Asia. Improved profile for USQ teaching and research activities. |
Preparing Farmers in the Coal River Valley for Climate Change:
Coal River Products Association Farm Ready grant
|
Prof Roger Stone
Mr Torben Marcussen
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq |
Climate change projections integrated into runoff and streamflow modelling and associated sustainable agricultural production – in association with ‘Climate Futures Tasmania’, CSIRO and UTAS.
Key outcome: improved understanding of likely long-term sustainability of farming systems in central Tasmania. Improved overall capability in climate applications and integrated modelling. |
| Lower Murray Darling Management project: Sustainable Cropping Management Monitoring |
Dr Harry Butler |
Funded project by two of the Lower Murray Darling CMAs and NSW Dept of Environment, Climate Change and Water. This project aims to monitor wind erosion at 10km within NSW using computer modelling techniques combined with measured field data. Data from this project is used to direct funding to the areas most affected by wind erosion.
Key outcome: This project forms a basis for the wider national wind erosion modelling project. |
| Wind erosion extent and severity maps for Australia (WEESMap) |
Dr Harry Butler |
This project is Federal funded under the Caring for our Country (C4OC) and is a joint project with the NSW Dept of Environment, Climate Change and Water.
Key outcome: The project will generate useful data for relevant decision making. Data from this project will be available publicly from the DustWatch website (http://www.dustwatch.edu.au) which is hosted by USQ. |
| APN: climate science for industry decision making – use of eLearning concepts in India in climate applications |
Prof Roger Stone |
Provision of workshops and associated activity at ANGRAU University, India and with Government of India in which aspects of sustainable agriculture under climate change together with new concepts in ‘eLearning and distance education’ (both of which USQ is renowned for). Development of associated web sites and ‘avatars for discussion-support.
Key outcome: improved understanding of the likely potential of distance education when linked to sustainable agriculture. Potential (if deemed successful) for global application through UN WMO backing. Enhanced relationships between Queensland and India with potential for future funding under the Australia-India Scientific Research Fund. |
| AUSAID ACEDP P0016A&B: Water ecology compensation (payment for environmental services) policy and mechanism in China |
Dr Chuxia Lin (USQ) and Ian White (ANU) are Co-team leaders. |
This is one of the 10 core projects under AusAID’s Australia China Environment Development Partnership Program.
Key outcome. It is expected that project will contribute to sustainable management of ecosystem by developing policy recommendations to MWR and MEP on suitable mechanisms for ‘Payment for Environmental Services’ (PES) and to explore potential follow-up activities to then develop a (PES) Framework for China at the national policy level. |
| Interactive effects of chemical and microbially catalyzed oxidation of metal sulfides at circumneutral pH conditions |
Dr Chuxia Lin |
This project supported by a grant of the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).
Key outcome: The project provides insights into the mechanisms and kinetics of sulfide mineral oxidation in sulfidic soils and mine spoils at circumneutral pH conditions as a result of interaction between abiotic and biological processes. |
| Treatment of coal seam gas RO product water with gypsum |
Dr Chuxia Lin
Prof Steve Raine |
This Arrow Energy Limited funded project aims to provide scientific information that can be used to optimize the reaction conditions for the treatment of the coal seam gas RO product water to meet the irrigation water quality standards.
Key outcome: Improved understanding of optimum use RO treatment plants and associated reactions will help to use wastewater more efficiently and reduce environmental foot print of coal seam gas waste water. This will also establish crucial links with the coal seam gas mining industry in the region, and will assist in further engagement with them for future projects. |
| Soil carbon sequestration potential of sodic soils |
Dr Chuxia Lin |
This Libyan Government PhD Scholarship project examines the effects of CSG-derived irrigation water on the accumulation of both organic and inorganic carbon in the sodic soils.
Key outcome: It is envisaged that the PhD research project will help in better soil, carbon and wastewater management. Finding could generate considerable benefits to mining industry in particular and community as a whole. |
| The utilization of heavy metal-contaminated lands for energy crop production |
Dr Chuxia Lin |
The Guangdong Province Government and Hong Kong Government join funded project (currently treated as a SCAU-USQ collaborative project) aims to develop innovative technology for utilization of heavy metal-contaminated soils for production of energy crops.
Key outcome: Understanding the dynamics of energy crop productions could be useful in supplementing production from agricultural land. |
| Urban Water Security Alliance |
Assoc Prof Joachim Ribbe |
This is an on-going project funded by the CSIRO contributing to the performance assessment of the current generation of global climate models. |
| Estimating Catchment-Scale Carbon Flow from Primary Industries |
DrGeoff Cockfield
Dr Tek Maraseni |
The overarching goal of this research is to begin to develop means of estimating net carbon flows at the catchment scale, extrapolating from that to draw conclusions about the impacts of including agriculture and forestry sectors under CPRS.
Key outcome: Proto-type model, be similar to a regional is input-output economic model, through which GHG and economic impacts from variations in production can be estimated. This also contributes to implementation of ‘Emission Tax,’ if implement |
GRDC/LWA MCVII:
Extremes, climate modes and reanalysis-based approaches to agricultural resilience |
Prof Peter Best
Prof Roger Stone
Mr Torben Marcussen
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq |
Use of the Atmospheric Circulation Reconstruction for the Earth program (UKMO) and global reanalysis programs (UCAR) to provide improved understanding of extreme climate events.
Key outcome: improved capability in modelling high-impact weather and extreme events through incorporation of enhanced climate data sets. |
| MDBA climate review |
Prof Roger Stone |
Literature and research review into major drought mechanisms affecting the Murray-Darling Basin.
Key outcome: improved capability to forecast and potentially better prepare for extreme droughts in the region. |
| QWI - Seasonal Forecasting of rainfall and streamflow for Traveston and Wyaralong |
Prof Roger Stone
Torben Marcussen
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
|
Ongoing provision of targeted streamflow and climate forecasts for key regions of Queensland for dam construction and development programs.
Key outcome: improved understanding of the impact of climate on streamflow in Queensland; improved profitability of QWI. |
| United Nations World Meteorological Organisation – Commission for Agricultural Meteorology |
Prof Roger Stone |
Overall management of three global research and development teams undertaking research in sustainable agriculture under climate variability and change with emphasis in improved sustainable in the face of more extreme climate events (eg floods, droughts), globally. Provision of reports to the Secretary-General.
Key outcome: enhanced profile for USQ in attaining global leadership in research leadership and management.
Improved capability, world-wide, in the management and preparation for extreme climate events with relevance to sustainable agriculture. Enhanced leverage potential for external research grants. |
| United Nations World Meteorological Organisation – Commission for Climatology |
Prof Roger Stone |
Participation in climate applications global research networks and planning.
Key outcome: improved linkages between USQ and major world research centres in climate science, hydrology and agriculture. Enhanced leverage potential for external research grants. |
| Toowoomba Regional Council climate change study development. |
Prof Roger Stone
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
Mr Torben Marcussen
|
Development of specific climate change scenarios for the Toowoomba Regional Council region.
Key outcome: improved capability for TRC to plan for climate change impacts. Improved sustainability and viability for industry and communities. |
| NSW Natural Resource Council – review of Snowy Hydro research project in cloud seeding (confidential) |
Prof Roger Stone |
Detailed review of Snowy Hydro cloud seeding research and development program.
Key outcome: enhanced recognition of USQ’s scientific and project’s capability and profile. Improved understanding of scientific cloud seeding for sustainable water resources. |
| Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Stormwater |
Dr Ian Brodie |
This project investigates the hydrologic and water quality aspects of harvesting urban stormwater for beneficial use. A range of research activities are associated with the project including stormwater monitoring of an extensive range of water quality parameters (suspended solids, organics, pesticides and nutrients), analysis of historical water quality data and an initial assessment of stormwater re-use scenarios.
Key outcome: The research is adding value to Council’s operations by providing technical information on the feasibility, benefits and risks of harvesting stormwater. It demonstrates a strong collaborative engagement at a local level, but the outcomes also have general application throughout Australia. |
| Is zero tillage an effective option for reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions? An assessment for grains industry in Australia (Funded by R&HD, USQ) |
Dr Tek Maraseni |
The Australian Government has recommended farmers to move from conventional dryland farming systems to zero tillage system. Recently, there is significant progress in this direction. The aim of this study is to estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from various farm inputs resulting from two common types of dryland tillage (conventional and zero tillage) systems practiced for barley, chickpea, wheat and durum in the Darling Downs region in Queensland, Australia. The analysis revealed that the effect of zero tillage on GHG emission reduction is positive but the difference is very low. Zero-tillage system has significantly reduced fuel related emissions but with the cost of agrochemicals related emissions.
Key outcome: This research could have huge implications on: (1) Australian Govt policy; and (2) soil carbon credits offered from volunteer carbon markets for converting conventional tillage to reduced tillage system. |
| Queensland China Climate Change Fellowship 2009 grant ($8000, Queensland Government) to host Chinese Fellow (Funded by Queensland Govt) |
Dr Tek Maraseni |
We hosted Chinese Fellow selected under Queensland China Climate Change Fellowship Program. We are producing a joint paper.
Key outcome: enhancing USQ’s international reputations and possible of new collaboration with Chinese universities and government. |
| PhD Project: Climate change, greenhouse gas dynamics and agroforestry systems: The case of Nepal (Funded by USQ) |
Dr Geoff Cockfield
Dr Tek Maraseni
PhD student Arun Dhakal |
Agroforestry system is becoming more popular for addressing a number of global issues such deforestation, land degradation, food security and GHG mitigation. The overall goal of this research is to evaluate the highly commercialized agroforestry system emphasizing on carbon value with in-depth analysis of GHG dynamics within the system.
Key outcome: This research will provide important feedback for formulating Kyoto Regulations on agroforestry systems. |
| PhD Project: Production of biochar from municipal wastes: The PhD student has been funded under the joint scholarship of USQ and China (Funded by USQ and China) |
Dr Tek Maraseni
Dr VasanthaAravinthan
PhD student Haiyan Dong
|
Production of biochar from wastes and then injection into farm soils would be multiple environmental and financial benefits. As biochar is likely to be included in post-Kyoto markets, farmers or investors may receive additional incentives through the selling of carbon credits making this approach very lucrative to the agricultural sector. The project will involve a three stage process: (1) on-farm experimentation; (2) a comprehensive assessment of crop and water productivity, farm economics and environmental benefits of injecting biochar into soils; and (3) development of a blueprint for the commercialization of fully integrated biochar.
Key outcome: This project will provide a scientifically robust methodology for promoting the biochar industry in any Emissions Trading Scheme. |
| PhD Project: Site suitability assessment of forest plantation for carbon sequestration (Funded by Australian Govt) |
Dr Kevin McDougall
Dr Tek Maraseni
PhD Student Precila
Gonzales Salcedo |
The aim of this study is to develop a holistic and dynamic model of forest productivity on a variety of environmental scenarios that will provide information on the carbon sequestration capability of a given forest species on a micro scale.
Key outcome: The output of this research will add to the body of knowledge on methods of land suitability assessment for forest plantation integrating carbon credits. It will also be beneficial in making decision as to the appropriate allocation of land use. |
| Developing and testing multi-stakeholder governance standards for REDD-plus in Nepal and the Philippines (Under review with Asia Pacific Network for funding) |
Dr Tek Maraseni
Dr Tim Cadman (USQ)
Juan Pulhin (Philippines) Krishna Acharya (Nepal) |
The aim of the research is to develop and test draft governance standards for national-level REDD-plus project implementation by means of two multi-stakeholder consultations and field trials in Nepal and the Philippines. These standards and associated trials are intended to provide consistent standards and associated verifiers for stakeholder participation in and deliberation relating to REDD-plus projects in other regions and countries.
Key outcome: This project will help in good governance and smooth functioning of UNFCCC REDD-plus projects in developing countries. |
Governance of sustainable development: developing global standards to reduce emissions from
deforestation and forest degradation (Submitted to ARC discovery)
|
Dr Tek Maraseni Dr Tim Cadman |
The project has two aims: 1) Help government, business and society collaborate more effectively in the structures and processes of sustainable development; 2) Assist these parties to negotiate commonly agreed standards for good governance, and test these standards on the ground. This is the first time a quality-of-governance standard will be developed.Key outcome: Develop standard that can be applied to other environmental policy processes beyond climate change such as natural resource management (e.g. mining and fishing) and responsible investment. |
Global Cost-Benefit Analysis:
Challenges and Opportunities
|
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq |
The activities include contributing to literature toward the Cost-Benefit Analysis and writing a book chapter on ‘Cost-Benefit Analysis of Water Management Initiatives in China: A Case of Small Multi-Purpose Reservoirs’. It involves international travel to participate in discussions and presentation. Institute for Policy Integrity, New York University School of Law, will cover all expensive of national and international travel including accommodations.
Key outcome:Enhancing USQ’s international reputations and possible new projects with prominent economists. |
| USQ/ANU Early Career Visiting Research Fellowship |
Dr Ian Brodie |
One of three University fellowships offered to academics to visit ANU to foster collaborative research initiatives. This grant was used to fund a visit to the Integrated Catchment Assessment and Management Centre (iCAM) directed by Professor Tony Jakeman. |
| Australian Leadership Award Fellowship training for the participant from Nepal |
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
Dr Tek Maraseni |
Application is under preparation for Australian Leadership Award Fellowship (ALAF) under AusAID for the 2nd round in October.
Key outcome: Enhancing USQ’s international reputations in providing cutting edge training in climate and forestry sciences. |
| Toowoomba regional council, Investigation of domestic water end use using smart metering system |
Dr Vasantha Aravinthan |
TRC funding to research into itemized water use in households to understand the effectiveness of water conservation measures currently implemented.
Key outcome: Include detailed understanding of individualized domestic water end use for modelling purposes, and the effectiveness of water conservation measures. |
| USQ project |
Dr Vasantha Aravinthan |
USQ funded project aimed at developing models for aerobic biodegradation processes. How the microorganisms biodegrade the wastewater is still a mystery the researchers are trying to unravel. In this project, models was developed, and calibrated using on-line experimental measurements collected from respirogram and titrimetry and validated using off-line methods.
Key outcome: These models will be useful in optimization of the wastewater plants. |
| Ground water sampling methods for analysing microbial communities in contaminated sites |
Dr Vasantha Aravinthan;
Prof Christof Holliger (EPFL, Switzerland)
|
Research undertaken at EPFL indicates that the ground water samples collected do not represent the actual microbial community present in the contaminated sites. This research aims to develop sampling protocols that will enable the collection of representative and consistent samples from aquifers indicative of microbial communities used for bioremediation.
Key outcome: The new sampling protocols will results in more consistent and relevant results of the microbial communities in contaminated sites, and possible help to reduce the cost savings. |
| Queensland Flood 2010-11 |
Prof Roger Stone
Dr Kevin McDougall
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
Torben Marcussen
Dr Tek Maraseni
Christa Pudmenzky
UK: JBA consultants, and EcityRisk consultants
|
Funded by the UK Met Office. The project develops hydrological and meteorological timelines of recent floods and cyclone events in Queensland.
Key outcome: A detailed report highlighting the hydrological and meteorological timelines of Queensland floods including assembling detailed rainfall, streamflow |
Research Infrastructure Program (RIP)
(Under preparation)
|
Dr Chuxia Lin
Dr Andrew Le Brocque
Assoc Prof Joachim Ribbe
Dr Tek Maraseni
Dr Vasanthadevi Aravinthan
Laszlo Erdei
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
Dr Chengyuan-Stephen Xu
Dr.Rabi Misra |
Limited availability of conventional analytical instruments does not allow, in some instance, in-depth research. Particularly, towards (1) environmentally significant elements especially aluminium, heavy metals and sulfur in water samples (including liquid extracts of soils, sediments, biomass, industrial wastes etc.), (2) carbon and nitrogen in soils, sediments, plant tissues, rocks and solid industrial wastes, and (3) total acidity and alkalinity in water (surface water, groundwater and wastewater), soils, sediments and solid industrial wastes.
Key outcome: The new instruments will enhance USQ’s capacity in conducting in-depth research, and will help in reducing cost as researchers do not send sample outside for analysis. |
| New sugarcane farming technology for climate change adaptation in acid sulfate soils. |
Dr Chuxia Lin
Dr Tek Maraseni
Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq
|
This new SRDC submitted project aims develop and test an integrated farming technology to counteract the adverse effects of climate change for acid sulfate soils.
Key Outcome: It is expected that findings of the project will allow the sugarcane production in the coastal floodplains of Queensland and northern NSW for at least two more decades than what will be under the current farming practice as a consequence of the projected rising sea level; Improve soil quality, which potentially leads to an increased yield of sugarcane; and generate have significantly environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, reduction in greenhouse gas emission and acid discharge into estuarine waterways. |