Greenhouse, land management and carbon sequestration in Western Australia

This report examines options for greenhouse emissions abatement by changing land management practices and establishing terrestrial organic carbon sinks in Western Australia.It recommends the following priorities to the Greenhouse Task Force.? Expand the already successful Kyoto Protocol Article 3.3 plantations, as carbon sinks.? Determine the potential of Kyoto Protocol Article 3.4 sink activities (cropland management, grazing land management and revegetation) to contribute to carbon sequestration in Western Australia

Management Impacts on Forest Floor and Soil Organic Carbon in Northern Temperate Forests of the US

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of forests in the global carbon cycle has been the subject of a great deal of research recently, but the impact of management practices on forest soil dynamics at the stand level has received less attention. This study used six forest management experimental sites in five northern states of the US to investigate the effects of silvicultural treatments (light thinning, heavy thinning, and clearcutting) on forest floor and soil carbon pools.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No overall trend was found between forest floor carbon stocks in stands subjected to partial or complete harvest treatments. A few sites had larger stocks in control plots, although estimates were often highly variable. Forest floor carbon pools did show a trend of increasing values from southern to northern sites. Surface soil (0-5 cm) organic carbon content and concentration were similar between treated and untreated plots. Overall soil carbon (0-20 cm) pool size was not significantly different from control values in sites treated with partial or complete harvests. No geographic trends were evident for any of the soil properties examined.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Results indicate that it is unlikely that mineral soil carbon stocks are adversely affected by typical management practices as applied in northern hardwood forests in the US; however, the findings suggest that the forest floor carbon pool may be susceptible to loss.</p

Termite risks to houses in Australia

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to provide a review of the dangers that termites pose for houses in Australia and to highlight the inadequacies in the existing research for determining the extent, nature and costs of termite attacks on houses. Design/methodology/approach: The classification of Australian termites is discussed and those classifications most problematic for houses are identified. The reasons why subterranean termites pose a significant risk to houses are explained. An overview of seven noteworthy investigations into termite risks to houses is provided, the findings of the investigations are discussed, and conclusions about the adequacy of the investigations are presented. Findings: Much is known about the distribution and habits of the species of termites that are problematic for houses in Australia, but very little research has been conducted into establishing the extent, nature, and costs of termite attacks on houses. Also, the existing research is ad hoc, piecemeal and inadequate for establishing the risks to houses from termite attack. Originality/value: To date there has been limited research into termite risks to houses in Australia. In making a contribution to this area, this paper examines issues related to termite risks in various states and territories