A series of case studies was conducted to evaluate the current status of nitrate contamination in Australia, including distribution and processes. The details obtained from the case studies and from other relevant literature have been used to assess the potential for future major impacts from nitrate contamination of groundwater and to address the future directions needed to better characterise the problem and its significance.

The Rapid Appraisal of Riparian Condition assesses the ecological condition of riparian habitats using indicators that reflect functional aspects of the physical, community and landscape features of the riparian zone.

This publication combines the experiences and insights of irrigation consultants and extension officers with that of social, agronomic and engineering scientists. The resultant publication is targeted at those who advise, support and supply irrigation dependent enterprises with new information, tools and equipment.

This River Guide demonstrates how woolgrowers in the higher rainfall and tablelands zone can use practical, cost effective methods for improved river management, addressing issues such as gully and streambank erosion, water quality and weed management.

In accordance with section 28 of the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989 (PIERD Act), I have pleasure in presenting to you the annual report of Land & Water Australia for 2005-06. The report has been prepared in accordance with the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989, the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act) and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies (Report of Operations) Orders 2005.

This project has focused specifically on grassy White Box woodland because of its scarcity and the extent to which it has disappeared or been degraded through competition with other rural land uses. However, much of what comes out of this project is applicable to other forms of remnant vegetation, and in particular other Box woodlands. Grassy White Box woodlands can be used to build awareness of the plight of remnant woodlands, the loss of woodland trees and their equally important understorey communities. That awareness can then provide a focus for expanding targeted actions in rural communities for vegetation management on a landscape scale.

This report forms a part of a larger project being undertaken by CSIRO Wildlife and Ecology which is identifying opportunities for the use of incentive-based instruments in the conservation of native remnant vegetation. The project is funded by Environment Australia and the Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation. The report is one of five reports which have been prepared to date that evaluate the role of local government in conserving native vegetation.

This report describes the second update of the lifeof- project evaluations, carried out over the period November 1998 to April 1999, i.e.. three years after the first update and nearly six years after the initial assessments. This update has been designed to review how the projects have proceeded relative to initial predictions, and to make revised estimates of technical outputs, project outcomes, economic performance and monitoring requirements. The update involves a reassessment of those matters dealt with in the earlier terms of reference, taking into account that the projects have now been completed and adoption of the technical outputs is in progress

Within the limitations of regional to national scale studies undertaken by NDSP and associated research, this report makes as much progress as possible in providing answers to key farm scale questions: * Is salinity likely to be severe enough to justify actionΓ * If action is justified, is there sufficient knowledge about salinity processes, impacts, and management options to decide on the best approach and preferred management optionsΓ In assisting producers and advisors to obtain answers to these questions, this report guides them through the following decision-making sequence: * Assessing salinity risk (and the nature of the salinity problem). * Short-listing possible approaches to managing it. * Reviewing tactics and management options. * Considering possible farm to catchment-scale outcomes from implementing the options. * Deciding on the best approach or approaches. * Confirming preferred tactics and options. issuesΓ