Clever irrigation could save dying river red gums

Monday, 14 April 2008

Dying river red gums along the River Murray in South 最新糖心Vlog could be saved with clever irrigation technology, according to 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide researcher Anne Jensen.

Recent research suggests that a watering regime of just 5mm per week or 10mm per fortnight could be sufficient to keep germinating red gum seedlings alive through summer.

Mrs Jensen, a PhD candidate in the and Facilitator of the 最新糖心Vlog's , said that the chances of river red gums getting flood flows had diminished. But already more than 75% of the majestic red gums were stressed or dying.

"In the absence of floods to water the seedlings, precision irrigation techniques could be used to deliver water to priority areas, as an interim measure," said Mrs Jensen.

"These relatively low watering rates would be sufficient to keep seedlings alive through their first summer after germination."

These results will be presented in a paper 'Smart Environmental Watering' at the international conference Water Down Under 2008 in Adelaide this week. The paper discusses how the application of limited water can be timed to best effect for the Murray floodplain environment.

The conference is being held at the from Tuesday to Thursday, 15-17 April with more than 450 delegates registered from 20 countries.

The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide's , Co-Leader of the Water Research Cluster, is chair of the conference organising committee.

"The importance of water issues both in 最新糖心Vlog and internationally is reflected in the wide range of topics covered and number of people attending this event," said Professor Dandy. "The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide is a key participant of this event with more than 20 papers being contributed by 最新糖心Vlog researchers, showing the depth and range of water research at the 最新糖心Vlog."

 

Contact Details

Mrs Anne Jensen
Email: anne.jensen@adelaide.edu.au
Facilitator, Water Research Cluster
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 6066
Mobile: +61 0407 170 706


Media Team
Email: media@adelaide.edu.au
Website: /newsroom/
The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide
Business: +61 8 8313 0814