Estimating aboveground woody biomass change in Kalahari woodland: combining field, radar, and optical data sets

Maps that accurately quantify aboveground vegetation biomass (AGB) are essential for ecosystem monitoring and conservation. Throughout Namibia, four vegetation change processes are widespread, namely, deforestation, woodland degradation, the encroachment of the herbaceous and grassy layers by woody strata (woody thickening), and woodland regrowth. All of these vegetation change processes affect a range of key ecosystem services, yet their spatial and temporal dynamics and contributions to AGB change remain poorly understood. This study quantifies AGB associated with the different vegetation change processes over an 8-year period, for a region of Kalahari woodland savannah in northern Namibia. Using data from 101 forest inventory plots collected during two field campaigns (2014–2015), we model AGB as a function of the Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Array L-band synthetic aperture radar (PALSAR and PALSAR-2) and dry season Landsat vegetation index composites, for two periods (2007 and 2015). Differences in AGB between 2007 and 2015 were assessed and validated using independent data, and changes in AGB for the main vegetation processes are quantified for the whole study area (75,501 km2). We find that woodland degradation and woody thickening contributed a change in AGB of −14.3 and 2.5 Tg over 14% and 3.5% of the study area, respectively. Deforestation and regrowth contributed a smaller portion of AGB change, i.e. −1.9 and 0.2 Tg over 1.3% and 0.2% of the study area, respectively

The role of integrated information acquisition and management in the analysis of coastal ecosystem change

This book chapter represents a synthesis of the work which started in my PhD and which has been the conceptual basis for all of my research since 1993. The chapter presents a method for scientists and managers to use for selecting the type of remotely sensed data to use to meet their information needs associated with a mapping, monitoring or modelling application. The work draws on results from several of my ARC projects, CRC Rainforest and Coastal projects and theses of P.Scarth , K.Joyce and C.Roelfsema

VegMachine.net. Online land cover analysis for the rangelands

VegMachine.net is an online land cover monitoring tool unded by the Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA). The tool focuses primarily on Queensland, but has functionality for much of Australia’s rangelands. The website went live in July 2016 and recently logged the 1000th user session. Users can view seven different seasonal time series of cover products across the landscape and interactively interrogate and graph ground cover change in six different on-the-fly and email delivered reports. Results can then be exported for use in other software. To date, users have generated over 400 VegMachine® FORAGE ground cover reports which provide paddock-by-paddock, landtype-by-landtype analysis of ground cover change from 1990 to the present. Detailed help is available in multiple formats, including website popups and a dedicated YouTube channel. The web application was designed for two main user groups; technically equipped RD&E personnel including those servicing land manager clients, and a subset of the grazier community willing to operate the service themselves. Initial rollout of the application focused primarily on training events for government agency, private consultancy and natural resource management (NRM) staff in regional Queensland. These users form the core of the current user base. In this paper, we outline the development of VegMachine.net. We demonstrate the primary functionality of the website, provide an overview of user experience including a case study and discuss major learnings and future directions

Data Analysis with PLSR models

Land condition monitoring information is required for the strategic management of grazing land and for a better understanding of ecosystem processes. Yet, for policy makers and those land managers whose properties are situated within north-eastern Australia's vast Great Barrier Reef catchments, there has been a general lack of geospatial land condition monitoring information. This paper provides an overview of integrated land monitoring activity in rangeland areas of two major Reef catchments in Queensland: the Burdekin and Fitzroy regions. The project aims were to assemble land condition monitoring datasets that would assist grazing land management and support decision-makers investing public funds; and deliver these data to natural resource management(NRM) community groups, which had been given increased responsibility for delivering local environmental outcomes. We describe the rationale and processes used to produce new land condition monitoring datasets derived from remotely sensed Landsat thematic mapper (TM) and high resolution SPOT 5 satellite imagery and from rapid land condition ground assessment. Specific products include subcatchment groundcover change maps, regional mapping of indicative very poor land condition, and stratified land condition site summaries. Their application, integration, and limitations are discussed. The major innovation is a better understanding of NRM issues with respect to land condition across vast regional areas, and the effective transfer of decision-making capacity to the local level. Likewise, with an increased ability to address policy questions from an evidence-based position, combined with increased cooperation between community, industry and all levels of government, a new era has emerged for decision-makers in rangeland management

Quantitative trait loci conferring grain mineral nutrient concentrations in durum wheat 3 wild emmer wheat RIL population

Mineral nutrient malnutrition, and particularly deficiency in zinc and iron, afflicts over 3 billion people worldwide. Wild emmer wheat, Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccoides, genepool harbors a rich allelic repertoire for mineral nutrients in the grain. The genetic and physiological basis of grain protein, micronutrients (zinc, iron, copper and manganese) and macronutrients (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and sulfur) concentration was studied in tetraploid wheat population of 152 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), derived from a cross between durum wheat (cv. Langdon) and wild emmer (accession G18-16). Wide genetic variation was found among the RILs for all grain minerals, with considerable transgressive effect. A total of 82 QTLs were mapped for 10 minerals with LOD score range of 3.2–16.7. Most QTLs were in favor of the wild allele (50 QTLs). Fourteen pairs of QTLs for the same trait were mapped to seemingly homoeologous positions, reflecting synteny between the A and B genomes. Significant positive correlation was found between grain protein concentration (GPC), Zn, Fe and Cu, which was supported by significant overlap between the respective QTLs, suggesting common physiological and/or genetic factors controlling the concentrations of these mineral nutrients. Few genomic regions (chromosomes 2A, 5A, 6B and 7A) were found to harbor clusters of QTLs for GPC and other nutrients. These identified QTLs may facilitate the use of wild alleles for improving grain nutritional quality of elite wheat cultivars, especially in terms of protein, Zn and Fe

VegMachine.net. online land cover analysis for the Australian rangelands

This paper documents the development and use of the VegMachine.net land cover monitoring tool. From 2002 to 2015, VegMachine® software was used by government agencies, natural resource management (NRM) groups and individual pastoralists in northern Australia to assess and benchmark vegetation cover levels. In 2016 the VegMachine.net website was launched to build a wider user base and assure service continuity. Users can now graph historical (1990-) cover on one or more user defined areas of interest (AOI), produce comprehensive paddock-by-paddock property monitoring reports, and view a range of land cover raster images through the website map panel. In its first 32 months of operation 913 users logged 1604 sessions on the website and more than 1000 of the website's most comprehensive monitoring reports were distributed to users. Levels of use varied 26% of users (n = 237) have used the website more than once, and within this group a smaller set of regular users (n = 36) have used the site more than five times, in many cases to provide analyses to multiple clients. We outline four case studies that document the significant impact VegMachine.net has had on users including graziers, government agencies, NRM groups and researchers. We also discuss some possible paths forward that could widen the user base and improve retention of first time users. © 2019 The State of Queensland (through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) 2019 Open Access

A data-driven Bayesian optimisation framework for the design and stacking sequence selection of increased notched strength laminates

A novel Bayesian optimisation framework is proposed for the design of stronger stacking sequences in composite laminates. The framework is the first to incorporate high-fidelity progressive damage finite element modelling in a data-driven optimisation methodology. Gaussian process regression is used as a surrogate for the finite element model, minimising the number of computationally expensive objective function evaluations. The case of open-hole tensile strength is investigated and used as an example problem, considering typical aerospace design constraints, such as in-plane stiffness, balance of plies and laminate symmetry about the mid-plane. The framework includes a methodology that applies the design constraints without jeopardising surrogate model performance, ensuring that good feasible solutions are found. Three case studies are conducted, considering standard and non-standard angle laminates, and on-axis and misaligned loading, illustrating the benefits of the optimisation framework and its application as a general tool to efficiently establish aerospace design guidelines.</p

Stacking sequence selection for defect-free forming of uni-directional ply laminates

In order to meet demands for increased production rates of laminated composite components, aerospace manufacturing is being forced towards highly automated production processes such as forming. However, such automated processes increase the likelihood of inducing defects that lead to manufacturing cost and time inefficiencies which must be avoided. This paper introduces a new compatibility index, based on comparison of minimum energy (resin dominated) modes of adjacent plies that identifies stacking sequences which minimise defect formation. The index is validated using an experimental process where seven laminates with different stacking sequences are formed onto a complex tool geometry using an industrial double diaphragm former. Experimental results confirm that sequences with a high compatibility index produce defect-free parts at elevated temperature. Specifically, sequences with 90° interface angles (high compatibility indices) promote the most formable solutions and continuous 45° interfaces that spiral (e.g. 45/0/-45/90) which have a low compatibility index, produce the most problematic forming conditions owing to a shear locking behaviour. Laminate stacking sequence is thus shown to be a significant contributor, alongside temperature and vacuum rate, to quality of formed parts. The compatibility index method can therefore be used to increase production rate and quality in laminated composite manufacturing, leading to significant cost and efficiency savings.</p

Creating a novel approach to discourse treatment through coproduction with people with aphasia and speech and language therapists

Background: Although spoken discourse is an outcome prioritised by all stakeholders in aphasia rehabilitation, assessment and treatment of discourse are not routine clinical practice. The small evidence base, varied clinical expertise, multiple barriers in the workplace, and challenges for clients in understanding their altered language abilities all contribute to this situation. These factors need serious consideration when developing a new treatment. Involving intended stakeholders as partners in the development process is recommended. This assists with future implementation by ensuring assessment and treatment are practical, feasible, and acceptable to those who will deliver and undertake it. Aims: This paper reports on the coproduction phase of the Linguistic Underpinnings of Narrative in Aphasia (LUNA) research project and describes the levels of partners’ involvement, the outcomes and impact of coproduction, and the factors that influenced it. Methods and procedures: Four partners with aphasia and four speech and language therapists (SLTs) worked with academic team members across a 6-month period to create the LUNA assessment and treatment. Separate sessions were held with partners with aphasia (monthly) and SLTs (fortnightly). Coproduction methods included open discussion, the Someone Who Isn’t Me (SWIM) technique (thinking from others’ perspectives), low and high fidelity prototypes, flexible brainstorming, card sort, and active experimentation with assessment and treatment tasks. Verbal and written information was presented, shared and documented during each session in supportive formats, and each session summarised as accessible minutes. Outcomes and Results: Partners contributed at consultation, cooperation, and co-learning levels during the coproduction phase. Outcomes included joined-up thinking across assessment-goal setting-treatment-desired outcomes; agreed decisions and content for assessment protocol and treatment manual; clarity on personalised, meaningful, and relevant treatment; therapeutic alliance operationalised in treatment manual; and more. Impacts included increased confidence, self-knowledge, pride, validation, peer support, networking, and benefits to SLTs’ services. Coproduction was positively influenced by consistent session structure and conduct, group dynamics, accessible communication methods, active task experimentation, and SWIM technique. Although the process was time and labour intensive, all partners considered this worthwhile. Conclusions: LUNA has exemplified how an inclusive coproduction process can work well despite the language challenges of aphasia. Authors also believe that coproduction with intended users has resulted in products (assessment protocol, treatment manual) that are more practical, feasible, and acceptable to clinicians and clients than if designed by academics alone. This latter claim now needs testing on a wide scale