Influence of Corn Stover Harvest on Soil Quality Assessments at Multiple Locations Across the U.S.

Corn (Zea mays L.) stover has been identified as a biofuel feedstock due to its abundance and a perception that the residues are unused trash material. However, corn stover and other plant residues play a role in maintaining soil quality (health) and enhancing productivity, thus use of this abundant material as feedstock must be balanced with the need to protect the vital soil resource. Plant residues provide physical protection against erosion by wind and water, contribute to soil structure, nutrient cycling, and help sustain the soil microbiota. Replicated plots were established on productive soils at several locations (IA, IN, MN, NE, PA, SD, and SC) and a multi-year study was carried out to determine the amount of corn stover that can be removed while maintaining the current level of soil quality for each soil. These sites represented a range of soil types and climatic conditions, and have been ongoing for and least five years with some much longer studies. All sites had at least three levels of stover harvest: grain only (control), maximum removal (90-100%) and a mid-range removal rate (~50%). Data from 4 sites are presented (IA, IN, MN, and NE). The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) was used to score and assess changes in selected soil quality indicators. Data shows that removal at the highest rates resulted in some loss in soil quality with respect to soil organic carbon and bulk density. These sites were converted to no-till when the experiments were initiated, thus SOC accrual because of the shift in tillage management appeared to balance any losses due to feedstock harvest

What would a climate-adapted settlement look like in 2030? A Case Study of Inverloch and Sandy Point

The issue considered by this research report revolves around the broad themes or questions such as: what are we adapting to?; who or what adapts?; and, how does adaptation occur? The challenge that these questions create is that the concept of an adapted settlement encompasses both ‘visual’ and ‘process’ dimensions. Therefore, there is a need to understand how the settlement will decide what it wants to look like in a climate adapted world, and how the settlement is going to achieve this successful adaptation response by (and beyond) 2030. Essentially, adaptation is not something that achieves an endpoint, but is ongoing and responsive to the various impacts that must be adapted to. Thus, there is a need for flexibility, and for adaptive capacity to be initiated and able to continue to change and evolve as required now and into the future

The 1998-99 immigration program

The Australian Government has maintained its commitment to reform the Australian immigration program in the program year 1998-99. This article assesses the implications of the proposals for the parent category, explores the extent to which the removal of fraudulent applications explains the striking downturn in spouse/fiancé(e) visas, and examines the impact of applying a two-year waiting period to labour-market payments made to New Zealand citizens settling in Australia

New Zealanders in Australia: the end of an era?

The New Zealand and Australian governments have agreed to restrict the rights of New Zealand citizens who move to Australia after February 2001 to access social security benefits in Australia. This article explores the reasons for these reforms and their implications for the future movement of New Zealand citizens to Australia.Pagination on item is incorrec

Implications of widened access to higher education

The number of graduates in Australia increased by 46 per cent between 1991 and 1996. Graduates in non-vocationally-specific fields increased more steeply; the largest increase was in Business and Administration (126 per cent). Graduates are much more likely to be in the work force and to have jobs than non-graduates, but a number will spend some time in sub-professional jobs

Two Australias: migrant settlement at the end of the 20th century

This paper utilises the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs’ settlement data to explore the recent pattern of migrant destinations in Australia. It shows that most non-English-speaking-background (NESB) migrants are settling in Sydney and Melbourne. As a consequence the birthplace make up of these cities and the rest of Australia is diverging.Pagination on item is incorrec

Clearing the myths away: higher education's place in meeting workforce demands

Australia\u27s higher education and training policies are misguided and based on myths that will not meet the future demands of the workforce, according to this report. It debunks three myths that have underpinned recent policy and debate: that too much emphasis is placed on university education; a choice must be made between trade training and university education; and that there will be declining numbers of young people entering the workforce

Poor families, poor children: who cares for the next generation?

Despite the recovery in the Australian economy since 1991, the number of poor families in Australia has continued to increase. By September 1996, 43 per cent of Australian families could be regarded as poor. Some four out every ten of these were headed by lone parents. These findings highlight major questions about the resources available to poor families in a context where families are increasingly expected to invest heavily in their children’s education