Quantifying the benefits of improved irrigation for Reef water quality
Theme: Environmental Management
Description:
Modelling of furrow irrigated sugarcane farming systems indicates that managing irrigation effectively reduces offsite loss of applied fertiliser and pesticides. However, the 2022 independent Scientific Consensus Statement on land use impacts on the Great Barrier Reef water quality and ecosystem condition concluded that the "effect of improved irrigation practices on dissolved nutrient losses or on farm productivity in the Great Barrier Reef catchment area is uncertain" due to insufficient published evidence. Field trials measuring runoff of nutrients and pesticides from irrigated sugarcane farms have been run over several years in the lower Burdekin.
This project would work with BBIFMAC, a local NRM group, to compile the available field trial data to quantify the potential benefits to water quality from improved irrigation management and, in particular, managing the irrigation events soon after fertiliser and pesticide applications. An important aspect of the project would be working collaboratively with staff from BBIFMAC and communicating the outcomes to scientific and community groups. The work would support prioritising investment in management interventions to achieve water quality targets under the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan.
Additional Information:
The Michael St John Warne (1962 – 2024) Memorial Scholarship is administered by the Reef Catchments Science Partnership in the School of the Environment. The purpose of the scholarship is to support UQ honours students. Up to three (3) scholarships will be awarded. Each scholarship is worth $5,000 (half paid in February 2026 and half paid on submission of thesis). A top up writing scholarship of $1,000 is available to publish one (1) journal paper from your thesis research after submission.
See https://environment.uq.edu.au/michael-st-john-warne-memorial-scholarship for more information or email rcsp.info@uq.edu.au
Contact: Assoc. Prof. Ryan Turner