A snapshot of Land & Water Australia's plans for 2005-2010

The findings of this evaluation are encouraging in terms of national benefit. Analysis of 25 separate innovations - which make up about one quarter of Land & Water Australia's total portfolio - shows a return of $1.5 billion against a research cost (present value) of $392 million, or almost 4 to1. If just the Land & Water Australia component of the research investment is considered, there is a return of almost $300 million (present value) from a research cost (present value) of $77 million. Among these projects, returns varied from as low as 1.1 to 1, to as high as 28 to 1. These estimates are conservative as some environmental and social returns are difficult to quantify and were therefore not counted.

Motivation and awareness presented through five grower case studies of the benefits of more sustainable approaches to rangeland management.

The Groundwater Flow Systems Framework is a powerful support tool, developed to guide investment decisions for salinity management. A powerful support tool - Groundwater Flow Systems Framework - has been developed to guide investment decisions for salinity management. This full report and its companion summary report (PK030627), describe how the Framework can aid regional natural resource management groups in identifying appropriate salinity management options. They outline how results for well understood catchments can be extrapolated to other catchments where a similar groundwater flow system operates. Published by the Murray Darling Basin Commission

The Tropical Rivers R&D Program is building capacity and understanding so that the best available knowledge can be used to achieve sustainable natural resource management in tropical Australia. In recognising the information gaps, the Tropical Rivers R&D Program is now working with partners and engaging with relevant states, the Northern Territory, Indigenous people and other stakeholders to guide its research along four themes

The 10 woolgrowers featured in this Insights publication value the creeks, stream or rivers on their farm, and manage them as different, yet integrated parts of their wool enterprise. Case 1: River focus inspires landscape rebirth Mark and Anna Gubbins -

In this edition of WaterWheel you will find a supplement detailing the research and development projects being undertaken through NPIRD. The projects address priority areas of:* technology adoption and education; * drainage, nutrients, salinity and pesticides; * water supply systems; * conjunctive water use; *infrastructure refurbishment.

The purpose of this document, then, is to build on these past efforts to provide easily accessible background information on past trends and possible future change in Australia, our region Our focal questions What social, economic and environmental factors could bring about major change in Australian landscapes, lifestyles and livelihoods over the next 25 years and beyondΓ What research challenges do these possibilities raiseΓ and the world. It is not comprehensive and it provides only some of the insights and opinions that are possible. We hope, however, that it will encourage readers to think more broadly about the factors that might determine the future and to imagine for themselves what challenges could emerge. This brings us to our second purpose. Imagining future challenges is one thing, but thinking about what might be needed to prepare us for them is another. We have made some suggestions about where research and development is needed to address plausible future challenges. We hope you will give us your views as well.

In this Issue: OUTCOMES FOR WATER POINT MANAGEMENT; SAVANNA BURNING AND THE CARBON ECONOMY; THE DECLINE OF WOODLAND BIRDS IN AGRICULTRUAL LANDSCAPES; TRACKING GENES IN FRAGMENTED LANDSCAPES