Optimising revegetation strategies in grazing land on the New England Tablelands for soil health: the role of soil invertebrates

Abstract

We need to redress the balance between soil degradative effects (accelerated soil erosion, decline in organic matter, changes in soil biodiversity) and restorative effects (alleviation of soil compaction, increase in water infiltration rate, mixing of soil organic matter). One way of doing this is to re-introduce the structural elements (trees, logs) which have many interactions with other facets of the ecosystem (soil invertebrates, other plants, soil). By revegetating the landscape we hope to restore natural controls which can result in a development of a pest-stable, energy efficient, and self-sustained agricultural ecosystem. We will be addressing these environmental issues by examining how successful the revegetation programs have been in restoring the resilience of the soil in the New England Tablelands of NSW. The main objective is to examine experimentally the benefits to the soil resource of replanting local native trees and shrubs in linear blocks (at 8 years after establishment) within and beyond the revegetated area. This project will establish the time frame and desirable revegetation design options for farmers by studying integrative measures of soil quality (soil invertebrates/soil properties/plants). By examining revegetated areas in such a manner we will be able to suggest guidelines for establishing a set of bioindicators for farmers to measure/monitor the benefits of various revegetation strategies.