Piggery: from environmental pollution to a climate change solution

Pig farms are a vital component of rural economies in Australia. However, disposal of effluent leads to many environmental problems. This case study of the Berrybank Farm piggery waste management system in Victoria estimates greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits from three different activities. Analysis reveals that the capturing and combusting of methane from piggery effluent could save between 4859 and 5840 tCO2e yr−1 ofGHGemissions. Similarly, using methane for replacing fuels for electricity generation could save another 800 tCO2e/yr of GHGs. Likewise, by utilizing the biogas wastes to replace inorganic fertilizers there could be a further saving of 1193 to 1375 tCO2e yr−1 of GHG, depending on the type of fertilizers the waste replaces. Therefore, a well-managed piggery farm with 15,000 pigs could save 6,852 to 8,015 tCO2e/yr, which equates to the carbon sequestrated from 6,800 to 8,000 spotted gum trees (age = 35 year) in their above plus below-ground biomass. Implementation of similar project in suitable areas in Australia could have significant environmental and financial benefits

Transformations accompanying a shift from surface to drip irrigation in the Cànyoles Watershed, Valencia, Spain

Drip irrigation is widely promoted in Spain to increase agricultural production and to save water. In the Cànyoles watershed, Valencia, we analysed the consequences of change from surface irrigation to drip irrigation over the past 25 years. There were a number of transformations resulting from, or accelerated by, this change including the 1) intensification of well construction causing a redistribution in access to groundwater, water shortages and a lowering of the groundwater table; 2) expansion of irrigation into former rain-dependent uphill areas resulting in increased water use; 3) shift to higher- value monoculture fruit crops, but with associated higher crop water requirements; 4) increased electrical energy consumption and higher costs due to groundwater pumping; and 5) loss of cultural heritage as wells have replaced traditional surface irrigation infrastructure that originated in the Middle Ages. Consequently, the authors argue that transitioning from surface irrigation to drip irrigation should critically look beyond the obvious short-term benefits that are intended by the introduction of the technology, and consider possible unforeseen side effects, that may have serious long-term impacts on the environment and the community

An analysis of Australia's carbon pollution reduction scheme

The authors review the decision-making since the Labour Government came into office (November 2007). The Australian Government’s ‘Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme’ White Paper (15 December 2008) proposes that an Australian Emissions Trading Scheme (AETS) be implemented in mid-2010. Acknowledging that the scheme is comprehensive, the paper finds that in many cases, Australia will take a softer approach to climate change through the AETS than the European Union ETS(EUETS). The paper assesses key issues in the White Paper such as emissions reduction targets, GHG coverage, sectoral coverage, inclusion of unlimited quantities of offsets from Kyoto international markets and exclusion of deforestation activities

Effective assessment practices in an inquiry-based science and technology education course in an Australian teacher education program

Poor quality and limited numbers of dedicated science teachers in schools has been the subject of recent attention in the Australian media and science education community. Despite significant attention to improving science teaching with practicing teachers and schools, the quality of science education in pre-service teacher education programs has been largely ignored. Yet pre-service programs provide the perfect opportunity to excite and empower future teachers and their students to ensure high quality and highly motivated science and technology teaching in schools in the future. This paper describes how an inquiry-based science and technology subject used innovative assessment approaches to inspire and motivate 186 2nd year undergraduate students in the teaching and learning of science and technology across two USQ campuses in Queensland

Blurring of the boundaries: innovative online pedagogical practices in an Australian faculty of education

The Faculty of Education at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) has developed a strong reputation in delivering high quality education, especially in the area of online pedagogical practices. However, online education, once seen as the domain of postgraduate and distance education, has been subsumed into undergraduate on-campus teaching. The authors present their own vignettes from the Faculty of Education Online Pedagogical Practices (OP2) report to illustrate best practice within courses and other projects managed by the Faculty, and conclude by providing a number of recommendations for future online practices at USQ

Intentions vs reality: preservice teachers' ICT integration during professional experience

[Abstract]: This study extends previous work on pre-service teachers'use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) during professional experience by collecting data about intentions for ICT use prior to an experience and comparing that with use reported after the placement. The paper describes activities pre-service teachers planned for their students, identifies factors which supported and inhibited ICT use and describes strategies used to address barriers. The analysis should provide insights as to how best to prepare pre-service teachers prior to professional experience for effective ICT integration

Patterns in student and staff access to, and attitudes towards usefulness of, ICT in an Australian University

[Abstract]: New information and communication technology (ICT) enables new opportunities for learning. However, for these opportunities to benefit students and staff, they must have ready access to ICT and positive attitudes toward its usefulness for learning and teaching. This paper reports some initial results from analysis of data obtained from surveys of ICT access, and attitudes toward ICT usefulness for learning, of students and staff at an Australian university in late 2009 and early 2010. The surveys were conducted as part of a larger project to identify ICT likely to be of most benefit for student learning. The survey data will be used to inform decisions about adoption of new digital technologies for learning and teaching and the provision of professional development to staff

Sediment transport of fine-grained alluvium from Cooper Creek, Central Australia

The ability of mud aggregates to form depositional bedforms is of considerable sedimentological importance for explaining the geomorphology of the Channel Country of Central Australia as well as the depositional environment of certain argillaceous fluvial sequences in the rock record. The sediment transport and bedform development of an aggregated sediment obtained from the floodplain of Cooper Creek, Central Australia, was examined in a laboratory flume over a range of flow conditions. The aggregates were found to be clay-rich (\u3e60% clay), fine sand-sized (d50=0.10 mm), low density (2300 kg.m-3), water-stable and contained very low salt levels (\u3c0.02%). The presence of smectite in the clay mineralogy of the sediment is an important factor in the development of the aggregates. Disaggregated sediment could be reaggregated in a laboratory after 2-3 wetting/drying cycles under simulated field conditions. Bedforms of aggregated mud ranging from lower-regime plane beds to upper-regime antidunes were observed. In the flume, the aggregates moved predominantly as bedload with measured peak bedload concentrations being high compared to other flume studies. The highly mobile nature of the sediment is due to the ready entrainment of low-density aggregates. The occurrence of braid bars formed of mud in an extensive low-gradient arid environment evident in the Channel Country of Central Australia, can be attributed to steeper braid-channel gradients across the floodplains during the passage of a flood; the highly mobile nature of the low-density sediment aggregates; the abiUty of the aggregates to be transported as bedload and their durable nature within the flow

Problem-based learning - is it right for Sri Lanka?

Employers in the ICT sector in Sri Lanka are concerned about the soft skills of the graduates they employ. The training sector is aware of their concerns but find it challenging to nurture the appropriate skills and attitudes in students used to traditional, teacher-centred learning environments. Elsewhere in the world, problem-based learning has provided a solution for similar scenarios. However the learning environment in the Sri Lankan university sector challenges some of the basic assumptions generally made in implementing PBL i.e. that there will be free and open dialogue between students, that student teams will recognise each other as equal peers, that facilities to accommodate small group work can be made available. This paper describes a partially successful venture to introduce PBL to the public university system in Sri Lanka and identifies modifications that need to be made to the model in future implementations

An assessment of silvipasture potential in southeast Queensland, Australia

The Queensland State Government provides incentives for landholders to establish hardwood plantations on former pasture and cropping areas; however the long-term viability of the timber plantation program in medium to low rainfall areas remains questionable. In order to make hardwood plantations viable, some value adding is necessary. Thus, several trials including silvipastoral systems have been undertaken. This paper assesses both the successes of the trials and the additional benefits resulting from grazing in spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora subspecies variegata) plantations at Taabinga, southeast Queensland. The results show that at the optimal harvesting age of 31 years, the cumulative net present value from pasture alone would be A$779/ha. Therefore, there is considerable opportunity for increasing financial returns through the inclusion of pasture within plantations without reducing the rotation age of plantations. This silvipasture system will also offer other benefits such as improvements in soil conservation, soil and biomass carbon sequestration and biodiversity