Recover Biodiversity, Rejuvenate Degraded Farm Land

Recover Biodiversity, Rejuvenate Degraded Farmland and Improve Your Life and Your Business

On parched land, with degraded soils, little water penetrates the soil during rain storms. 

Professor Eelco Rohling, ANU Research School of Earth Sciences - Slow the Flow and let the Soil Drink its Fill - Sydney Morning Herald, January 2020

Water washes over the land surface carrying topsoil with it. High energy flows develop in gullies causing erosion. This runaway sequence of destruction can be stopped by slowing the rush of water through valleys and gullies with barriers and by creating ponds and slow flowing creeks in flatter areas. Encouraging vegetation such as reeds and native water lilies will not only manage water flow, but also improve water quality and reduce evaporation. 

Charles Massy, a farmer, an ecologist and leading voice for regenerative agriculture, says that conventional agriculture is responsible for widespread deforestation, habitat clearing and soil degradation. In his book 'Call of the Reed Warbler', Massy questions our approach to agriculture in Australia, and outlines how the 'mechanical mindset' has led to the decline of pastures which consequently produce nutritionally deficient food for human consumption. The introduction of a huge number of chemicals into delicate ecosystems, draining of acquifers, increasing salinity only add to the production of nutritionally deficient grains, vegetables and fruit. Livestock fed nutritionally deficient grain also produce poor quality meat.

Along with poor soil fertiliity and poor water holding capacity, trees are dying and biodiversity is in decline. Massy urges farmers and land holders to work with nature not against it, because not only will we benefit from improved environmental outcomes, but farms will become more productive, profitable businesses,

Bruce Pascoe, a Bunurong man and author, in his book 'Dark Emu: Black Seeds', addressed the commonly held misconception that Aboriginal people were hunter gatherers and practised no agriculture. Pascoe's book indicates the richness and fragility of the Australian continent and gives an insight into what has been lost through European mismanagement of the land.

Cover crops, which differ for both Summer and Winter seasons, help to restore nutrient levels to degraded soils and enrich pasture. Similarly planting native Australian trees and shrubs to hold erosion, provide shade and windbreaks to protect livestock and crops from extreme weather will also support biodiversity by providing essential habitat and pollen/nectar producing trees for wildlife to forage in.

📰 Credited to ABC South East News, Journalist Bill Brown. Read More Here

🌱 Credited to All Natives Nursery: See here:

Monaro Farmers Use Aboriginal Cool-Burn Fires to Recover Biodiversity, Rejuvenate Degraded Farm Land. 

📚 Charles Massy's book , 'Call of the Reed Warbler', is well worth reading and should become a school and university text. 

In summary, improved soil health will sequester carbon, reverse desertification, fight climate change, improve biodiversity and ultimately build stronger communities. 

It is time now for 'A New Agriculture - A New Earth'!