In this issue In this issue .... Guest Spot, Ocean reflections; achievements of CVAP 1997-2002; Next generation forecasts; Managing climate risks; Top 12 El Niños

This monograph, which draws on material from Dr Lovett's PhD thesis,* identifies and comments on far-reaching recent changes in the fu nding arrangements for rural R&D.These changes a re aimed at improving ng the responsiveness of R&D funders and providers to industry needs and related public good issues, and at enhancing the contribution that a strong scientific community ca n make to rural production.

In this issue: Focus on Namoi Valley NPIRD news Water savings of up to 50% with PRD National irrigation code project Irrigation diary

Until recently there hasn't been a science-based practical set of strategies outlining how biodiversity can best be conserved in production landscapes. This has now been addressed by ecologists at The Australian National University who have compiled a list of ten such strategies.

This booklet is part of a series that describes the status of data and information relevant to national indicators agreed under the National Natural Resource Management Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. It specifically reports on the current status of information relating to indicators of the extent, distribution and condition of estuarine, coastal and marine (ECM) habitats. This is a vital step towards more strategic future investment.

This Guide aims to help woolgrowers and those that work with them, to improve and protect the health of water courses and riparian land on their farms, as well as to minimise the impacts of wool production on water quality and stream health. The aim is to use improved management to achieve both environmental and productive benefits. It also provides information about how these requirements can be incorporated into farm design and wool production operations. Any part of the farm that is linked to the local stream system by water flow, including those parts linked only during storm events, is covered by this River Guide. This is because what happens on them, and how they are managed, can have a significant influence on the stream's health and its water quality.

conservation, sustainable use and management of Australia's land, water, vegetation and biological resources. The framework identifies three requirements for monitoring natural resource condition: 1. a set of resource condition indicators to measure progress toward the agreed national outcomes on a medium and long term basis 2. a set of indicators for monitoring community and social processes relevant to or affected by NRM programs, as well as measures of the adoption of sustainable development and production techniques 3. contextual data pertinent to the indicator being considered

This new publication provides you with a snapshot of some of Land & Water Australia's innovative social sciences research, which helps us to better understand and inform sustainable natural resource management (NRM) in Australia. A series of short articles by the researchers highlights their key findings grouped around three integrating themes: 1. Institutions and governance arrangements 2. Policy instrument choice and mix 3. Landscapes, lifestyles and livelihoods

Land & Water Australia is established under the PIERD Act of 1989 and is one of the 16 rural research and development corporations. Through its investments in research and knowledge to support the long-term sustainable and productive use of our natural resources, Land & Water Australia has a critical leadership role in primary industries and natural resource management in Australia.

In this issue . . . . Forecasts use up; Climate forecasting adding value to sugar Lake Eyre: the ENSO integrator; South-eastern Australia and the SOI; Agribusiness Report