Soils News

Newsletter of the Australian Society of Soil Science No. 72 August '87

THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS

All Branch Presidents have been asked to Before long the common pasture was so Rickson of Griffith University's School of contribute an article to Soils News. In the overgrazed that there was insufficient Australian Environmental studies con- previous issue, the A CT Branch President grass for any animals and they all died. ucted a survey of 92 properties on the gave his view of the future of Soil Science. This conflict between immediate per- Darling Downs. Although most farmers In this issue, the NSW Branch President sonal gain and long term loss to society as would not admit that soil erosion was gives his thoughts on how the community a whole has been called the tragedy of the occurring on their own properties, as could come to grips with soil degradation. commons. might be expected, 88 per cent recognised that it was a problem on the Downs. In 1983 the Sydney Morning Herald I submit that degradation and loss of published an article by Steven Schwartz, soil by erosion represent a classic However, whilst problem recognition Reader in Psychology at the University of example of the tragedy of the commons in is a good start, there is clearly a long way to go. Not only must farmers be made to Queensland, called "The zero-sum society: Australia. The farmer who exploits his in the end, everyone pays". His thesis was realise and admit that their own soils are soil in the short-term for maximum profit that civilised society is a zero-sum game, at risk, but also they must be convinced does so at the expense of the whole of meaning that gains made by one section that it is actually in their own interests, as Australian society in the long-term. of society are always matched by losses well as those of the community at large, to suffered by another section. He gave Approaches to the problem manage their soils to minimise degradation several examples; one of these was the Is there a solution to problems such as and loss. Furthermore, they need to have story of the commons. soil decline faced by the zero-sum society? ready access to information concerning Steven Schwartz argues that a fund- amelioration and prevention of soil At one time, some European farmers amental change in society's rules is needed; decline. These activities are largely the shared a common grazing paddock. By self-interest must become the community's responsibility of State Soil Conservation carefully limiting each farmer to a small interest as well. Exactly how this might be number of cattle, everyone's animals had bodies and Agriculture Departments. achieved he doesn't say, but it sounds However, not only must the present sufficient grass to eat and the pasture was rather like Governmental intervention and generation of farmers be better educated able to regenerate each year. The paddock regulation to me. For soil management at in managing their soils, but also, and could support 100 cattle each weighing least, the Australian farming community 500 kg. This enabled 10 farmers to graze is probably not ready for this approach perhaps more importantly, must future 10 animals each and every farmer was but ultimately it might be necessary. generations. The latter are mainly the assured of 5000 kg of meat per year. responsibility of schools, colleges and So what are some other approaches? universities. But then one farmer decided to graze Governmental incentive, rather than inter- Our Society's role one extra beast. Since the paddock could vention or regulation, is one that can However, I believe that the Society only maintain 100 cattle at 500 kg, the 101 produce results. It may take the form of also has an important role to play in animals had to be thinner; each could taxation concessions or perhaps direct helping to educate both present and future weigh only 495 kg. The farmer who subsidies to farmers adopting approved farmers, as well as the community in grazed one extra animal had 5,445 kg of soil conservation measures. There is a general. A valuable step has been taken in meat, but the remaining nine farmers had cost, of course, which is borne by the publication Australian Soils - The only 4,950 kg each. Australian taxpayers as a whole. This is Human Impact. But all the effort involved probably reasonable considering that the The farmer who introduced the extra in producing this excellent book will not problem affects the whole community. animal was better off personally, but at count for very much if it becomes an the expense of the whole group. Research is obviously important and exercise in preaching to the converted, The overgrazing farmer was acting has been supported by State Governments that is, if it reaches virtually only the soil rationally according to the prevailing for many years. It has also received scientific community, as appears likely at views of proper economic behaviour. He Federal funding in recent years in the present. It must receive the publicity it was merely trying to maximise his gain. form of the National Soil Conservation deserves as soon as possible. Also, the By adding another animal, and then Programme, although it could be argued Society should seriously consider do- another, he could further increase his that the funds allocated to the programme nating, or at least heavily subsidising the gain. so far are small compared to the magnitude sale of the book at all schools and colleges However, the other farmers reached of the problem. throughout Australia that are teaching the farmers of the future. the same conclusion as the first farmer. Whilst much remains to be learnt about the processes of soil degradation and loss, Another possible way in which the and therefore research needs to continue, Society could make a significant contrib- Editor for 1986-88 Mr Rob Wetselaar I would argue that sufficient is now ution is the production of a Soils Inform- Telephone (062)465279 known about ways of preventing soil ation Kit for teachers. The aim would be ISSN0812-017X decline for a third approach, education, to concentrate on the fragility of Austral- to be used to much greater advantage in ian soils and how they need to be managed A Quarterly publication of the A ustralian the future than it has been in the past. to ensure long-term viability. Collabor- Soviet v of Soil Science Inc. ,cf- Division of Problem recognition ation with, and funding from, Education Plant Industry. CSIRO. G.P.O Box 1600, Departments would obviously be neces- Canberra. ACT2601. It is often said that once you have recognised that a problem exists you're sary. Registered by Australia Post — Publ. No. half way to solving it. It would seem that Concerning the education of the current NBP8320. Australian farmers at least recognise that farming and general community, I think soil erosion is a problem if recent research that the Society needs to adopt a higher in Queensland is any guide. Dr Roy profile in the community. I feel certain that the vast majority of farmers, let alone (a) to work closely with officers of the and having good communication skills, the general public, would not have heard Society to implement decisions could be ideal. A high priority for this of the Society, much less be aware of what reached by the Council of the officer would be activities along the lines it does. Society; that I have described. I would support an The main way of achieving this is (b) to establish and maintain links with increase in the membership fee to finance through coverage by the print and schools and other centres where such a position, should it be necessary. electronic media. There has been some soil science is taught; Three-pronged attack reporting of soil degradation and erosion (c) to help with the preparation and Australia's tragedy of the commons is in Australia in recent times, e.g. the distribution of educational soil degradation and loss by erosion. This Heartlands television series and an exten- material; problem reportedly costs Australia more sive article on soil erosion in the Times on (d) to establish and maintain links with than $2 billion per year in lost production. Sunday on 28.12.86 commencing on page Government Departments, other It has been described by the Federal 1. No doubt there are others, but they are public bodies and industry; Minister for Primary Industry, Mr John few and far between and, as far as I know, (e) to monitor coverage of soils-related Kerin, as Australia's foremost agricultural have never been initiated by, and never news and to build links with problem. If left unchecked the future for make mention of, the Society. agricultural and environmental Australia looks bleak. This is all very well, you may be journalists; and (0 to assist with the preparation and The problem can be overcome but thinking, but the Society is run by distribution of leaflets, adver- requires a three-pronged attack of Honorary officers whose tenure is limited, tising membership of the Society. Governmental incentive, research and whose main responsibilities are to their education. The Society has an important employers and who have little time to In my view our Society should imme- role to play in the last of these and needs devote to such activities. So who is going diately investigate the feasibility of to appoint a permanent officer to carry it to do all this? appointing such an officer, probably on a out. The British model permanent part-time basis. I expect that T.S. Abbott The British Society of Soil Science the duties of the position would be similar Hon. President recently appointed a paid Information to, although not necessarily indentical NSW Branch and Publicity Officer. The duties of the with, those of the British officer. A retired ASSSI appointee are: Society member, committed to the cause

EDITORIAL

SOIL CONSERVATION; THE NEED FOR DEBATE Few members of ASSSI will disagree impact of exploitation of the land, might I The same organization has shown that, at present, one of Australia's greatest remind you that many of us live in what is recently that the absence of fire, agricultural challenges is prevention of a symbiotic relationship with our rural combined with over-stocking of further loss of its soil and, where possible, community. I therefore urge you to take animals, has led to a massive invasion restoration of the soil where erosion has action to awaken the heart of government of noxious, inedible shrubs. About taken its toll. One would have thought to the economic and environmental 2.5 million ha have been completely that if there was one group in Australia problems that are being exacerbated by "shrubbed out" and are unlikely to that should be in the forefront of present policies towards the rural sector." be reclaimable. educating the community about the None of these attempts has led to any • About one half of Australia's agri- current devastation of our soil bank it reaction of members of our Society in cultural and pastural lands have been would be our Society. However, few Soils News. In fact, the only response we found to need differing amounts of members appear to be encouraging the got was from the then Minister for protection from erosion by water Society to play a more active role in this, if Primary Industry, John Kerin, in our and wind if they are to continue to our newletter is a reflection of our newsletter No. 69 in reply to Peter sustain their present productivity. attitudes. Clinnick's last editorial on the matter. The cost of such protection amounts Some attempts to arouse interest in The apparent lack of public expression to $2040 million, which is slightly and debate on the subject have been made of concern is puzzling. Some of the more than the total value of Aust- through Soils News, viz. symptoms of the malaise are the following: ralia's annual wheat export! (i) In April ^5 (Soils News No. 63), the Most economists believe that better then editor, Peter Clinnick, made a strong • A recent State of the World report farming machinery and fertilisers will plea in his editorial for our members to from the Washington-based World- substitute for soil, even when it runs out. give thought to which courses would be watch Institute came to the con- This misconception is dealt with in an open to us in finding practical solutions to clusion that population growth and authoritative article in Search (vol. 18, the land degradation problem. economic expansion have begun to No. 1, 1987) by Beckmann and Coventry exceed the ability of the earth's air, of CSIRO Division of Soils, who use the (ii) In July ^5 (Soils News No. 64), land, water and forests and other Chris Watson urged all members to help nature of soil and soil-forming processes natural systems to sustain human to offer a critical appraisal of some of the catalyse the formation of local conserva- activity. tion groups, since "we are all custodians premises that form the basis for soil of Australia's soil bank, not just the • In 1983, Malcolm Fraser regarded conservation policy in Australia. They farmers themselves". soil conservation as the most pressing warn of "the inevitable and calamitous environmental problem. consequences of combined erosion of our (iii) In January ^6 (Soils News No. 66), fragile, non-renewable soil resources, A.G. Bartlett of the Victorian Depart- • For every bag of Australian grain exported, we also "export" three bags should current ill-advised soil manage• ment of Conservation Forests and Lands, ment practices continue." described extensively the background and of soil. objectives of the newly formed National • Of the land use in Australia, 4 million This article is an excellent example of Conservation Strategy of Australia ha suffer from salinity, 70 million ha what soil scientists can do to create (NCSA), also pointing out some from erosion, 50 million ha are at awareness of the problem in the com- omissions and possible improvements. risk of shrub invasion, and 538 munity. (iv) In April ^6 (Soils News No. 67), million ha of native vegetation have Peter Clinnick made a second attempt as been modified since 1788. What else can be done? editor to create interest in the over- • One estimate by CSIRO indicates (i) In the USA a scheme has been exploitation of our soil: "If as members of that in eastern Australia at least 500 developed whereby erodible cropland is a learned Society we feel detached from 000 ha of the wheat belt have less replanted with permanent vegetative the present plight of people and the than 50 years of productive life left. cover. About 4 milion ha have now come 2 under this programme, and the ultimate J believe the approach being adopted goal is some 16 million ha. by Australian soil conservation agencies - Last January, Christ Watson of our extension advice, research services, regu• Society drew the attention of the Minister lation, demonstration, community in• of Primary Industry to this scheme. The volvement, etc - is comprehensive, proving reply he received from the then Acting more cost effective than the American Minister was as follows: approach and one that encourages a more responsible attitude by land users. The "Thank you for your letter of 6 January Federal Government, has introduced the 1987 concerning the Conservation Reserve National Soil Conservation Program Scheme that has been implemented in the (NSCP) which aims, amongst other United States to protect its land resource. things, to raise community awareness of, I share your concern for the conser• and concern about, soil conservation in vation of Australia's soil resources and this country. In doing so it seeks to the need to develop sustainable land use complement work being undertaken by systems. I also appreciate the critical State agencies with whom constitutional importance of maintaining ground cover responsibility for land use matters rests. " in order to prevent soil erosion. However, Peter Morris a scheme such as the Conservation Reserve Scheme would not, I believe, be desirable in Australia. In the first place, the (ii) Individual members of ASSSI might American scheme is very expensive, over consider becoming members of the newly $ US400 million so far on the information formed Soil Conservation Association provided, and I question the propriety of and giving it the required expertise to paying farmers to do something they ensure that technically and scientifically should rightfully do anyway; namely use this Association has a sound platform to their land within its capability. Mr John Kerin act from. " The first responsibility for soil conservation rests with the The USA has a history of providing land user " subsidies to farmers for soil conservation. (iii) In the front page article of this issue, I understand that this has, in many areas, because of domestic support programs Terry Abbott considers the feasibility of resulted in the attitude by farmers that soil which insulate farmers from market the appointment by ASSSI of a permanent conservation is a Government responsibility signals. The Conservation Reserve Scheme Information and Publicity Officer to and therefore the Government is obliged has a secondary purpose of reducing the create a higher profile of the Society in the to continue to pay for it. There are US crop surplus by taking cropland out of community, through which an authori- examples in Australia where subsidies for production. Australia on the other hand, tative view of soil conservation problems soil conservation have been counter• has a policy of not insulating its producers can be made public. productive also. While not ruling out from market signals and hence this aspect some forms of financial incentive, I believe of the Conservation Reserve Scheme is Above all, we need debate within our most States share my view that the first also not appropriate in the Australian Society about ways to approach this responsibility for soil conservation rests context. problem. Your editor sees Soils News not with the land user and governments only as a medium to dispatch relevant should endeavour to assist landholders to I would further add that while cropland news items to its members, but also as a meet their responsibilities. in Australia is particularly susceptible to forum for exchanging ideas and discussing soil erosion, pasture lands also require issues that concern ASSSI. Soil conser- United States subsidisation of farmers protection and other forms of land vation is undoubtedly the most pressing does not stop at soil conservation. You degradation can achieve greater impor• one at present. In this respect, Terry are no doubt aware of the problems that tance than water erosion. Consequently it Abbott's article might be a good starting agricultural surpluses in the USA and the would be a distortion to provide large point for further debate. EEC are causing on world commodity subsidies to control just one of the markets. These surpluses have resulted problems. Letters to the Editor are welcome.

FEDERAL COUNCIL

The Federal Council held its 139th Mr M. Fulton Vic. Mr D.F. Howe Vic. Ordinary Meeting at CSIRO Division Ms J.M. Hanna S.A. Mr P.J. Jeffery Vic. of Plant Industry, Canberra, on 9 June Mr E.R. Harper Vic. Dr G.G. Johns Riv. 1987. The following members were Miss I. McKissock W.A. Mr K.J. Keith Qld. present: Dr R.K. Misra Vic. Mr K.C. Leverington Qld. DrJ.R. Freney President Mr R.G. Palis Qld. Mr T.L.J. Mann S.A. Mr A. Pinkerton Secretary Mr P. Prammanee Qld. Mr N.E. Marcar S.A. Dr W.J. Bond Treasurer Ms J. A. Sinclair Vic. Miss K.G. Mclntyre Qld. Mr R. Wetselaar Editor Dr H. van Rees Vic. Mr S.J. Nichols Riv. Dr C.J. Chartres A.C.T. Ms K.A. Vose Vic. Mr K.J. Page Riv. Dr C.L. Watson Proxy for N.S.W. Mr Z. Xu Qld. Mr A.M. Rowley W.A. Dr I. White Proxy for Qld. Mr G.L. Swartz Vic. Dr M. Sully Proxy for S.A. Requests for Transfer DrJ.R. Watson W.A. Dr J. Field Proxy for Vic. Dr. K. Asumadu W.A. to A.C.T. Dr A.J. Moss Proxy for W.A. Mr G.S.C. Murray Qld. to N.S.W. Deceased Member Dr P.S. Blackwell Proxy for Riv. Mr. B.J. Crack Qld. An apology was received from Dr Resignations E.W. Radoslovich (Proxy for V. Mr B. Marsh W.A. Pres.). Mr R.E. Reid Qld. National Soils Conference Mr R. Roe Qld. The 1988 Conference has been Membership Changes Ms H.V. Runciman W.A. endorsed as a Bicentennial event. Applications for Membership Prof. V.B.D. Skerman Qld. Requests for special sessions will be Mr U.K. Avalakki Qld. considered after the abstracts have been Dr J.W. Bennett N.S.W. Terminations of Membership received. Mr R. Cumming and Dr M. Miss S.F. Creighton Vic. Mr S.G. Delbridge Vic. McLaughlin have agreed to organise Mr C.C. Daamen Vic. Dr. P.J. Hocking Riv. tours, of which there will be three: two Mr P.R. Dixon Mr D.L. Honybun Riv. mid-conference to Brindabella and to 3 Jerabomberra and the Yass Valley, and Financial Statement as at 9 June, 1987 one post-conference to Ginninderra and Cowra. Circular No. 2 is imminent. Dr General Fund Chartres will become convenor of the Balance at 6.3.87 $ 34 965-92 programme committee as Dr Craswell is Receipts to 9.6.87 going overseas. Subscriptions to ASSSI (86/87) $ 1 162-00 National Soils Conference Scholarships Subscription to ASSSI (arrears) 321-00 Amendments have been approved by Subscription to ISSS 91-00 Council to the extent that it now reads as Subscription to AJSR 175-00 follows (the amendments are indicated in Subscription to Soils News 20-00 Interest - SIA Account 282-20 italics): - 3 month Term Deposit 976-44 $ 3 027-64 National Soils Conference Student Travel A wards Expenditure to 9.6.87 Council has instituted an a ward scheme Subscription to ISSS 2 908-32 whereby financial assistance will be Subscription to AJSR 650-00 provided to enable postgraduate student Soils News - Printing #71 1 572-00 members to attend National Soils —Postage #71 244-14 Conferences. Contribution to President's The cost of the scheme will be met from expenses at ISSS Congress 600-00 interest on the Conference Account. It is Secretarial (stationery, postage) 30-55 envisaged that an award will be made to Sundries 5-50 $ 6 010-51 one student from each Branch for each Conference. Each Branch Committee will Add excess of receipt over expediture $ 2 982-87 DR be responsible for submitting the name of $ 31 983-05 a student for consideration by Federal Council before the date on which Monograph Fund abstracts are due. Balance at 6.3.87 $ 2 830-61 DR The value of each scholarship will be Receipts to 9.6.87 decided by ASSSI Council before ab- Sale of "Australian Soils ..." 159-00 stracts are called for before each Con- Royalties - "Soil Factors ..." 3-25 ference and will depend on the availability -"Australian Soils ..." 136-92 $ 299-17 of funds. It will normally comprise four elements: Expenditure to 9.6.87 (1) Conference registration. Purchase of 27 Copies of (2) Travel expenses. These will be "Australian Soils ..." 877-50 commensurate with the mode of Freight, postage and packaging 129-60 $ 1 007-10 transport considered appropriate to the distance between the student's Add excess of receipts over place of residence and the expenditure $ 707-93 DR conference venue. $ 3 538-54 DR (3) Accommodation costs. The candidate will be required to National Soils Conference Fund submit details of expenses Balance at 6.3.87 $ 21 545-95 incurred, and will be reimbursed up Receipts to 9.6.87 Nil to the cost of accommodation Expenditure to 9.6.87 Nil offered by the Conference Organising Committee (usually single student accommodation). Error introduced in 1985 by previous Federal Treasurer 273^5 DR (4) Field trip. The costs associated with one field trip. Total Funds at 9.6.87 $ 49 717-01 To be eligible for such a grant the student must be a member of the ASSSI Bank Accounts at 9.6.87 and is required to present a paper at the Cheque Account 2919 92 5825 1 505-69 conference. Short Term Call Account 2191 00797309 13 900-00 Council has determined that the Savings Investment Account 2919 5017366 816-98 appropriate mode of travel to the 1988 is 3 month Term Deposit 13 500-00 air (economy or student fare) from S.A., 12 month Term Deposit 19 994-34 Qld., W.A., coach or train (student fare) from Riv., N.S.W., Vic. Total Funds at 9.6.87 $ 49 717-01 W.J. Bond Correction Hon. Federal Treasurer In issue No. 71, the obituary of Prof Prescott read in part: During that time, of which the last seventeen years as Director, he and his colleagues at the Waite Institute made SOIL a most significant contribution to the development and understanding of the CONSERVATION OF Australian agricultural and related the AUSTRALIA field of soils that his position is unique. This should have read as follows: During that time, of which the last With this issue a brochure is in- seventeen years were as Director, he cluded of the Soil Conservation Associ- and his colleagues at the Waite Institute ation of Australia, stating its purpose made a most significant contribution and objectives. The Association has to the development and understanding indicated that any application from of the Australian agricultural and August 87 onwards wil be deemed to related industries, but it is in the field carry for the full 1988 Association of soils that his position is unique. year. The editor offers his apologies to Cedric Wells for this error. The view of our Society by the Sri Lankan soil scientist Dr B. M. K. Perera. during a recent visit to Australia. 4 HONOURS

Honorary Membership for Life In the late 1970's the emphasis in the Since 1965, Dr Lee has applied his Cedric Arthur Hawkins Department changed from soil surveying research to an examination of the effects The Society has a category of member• to assessing lands for their suitability for of earthworms on soil fertility and soil ship called Honorary Membership for agriculture. As a consequence, Butch's structure under conventional and mini- Life'. This category is reserved for retired role changed in 1981 to that of providing mum tillage practices, and the effects of members who have had an outstanding policy advice on all matters relating to the termites on soil formation, nutrient career in soil science and who have served use of land in New South Wales for cycling and vegetation succession. agriculture. He is well known for his stand the Society with distinction. There can be Publication Medal 1987 only 20 such members at any one time and against the alienation of prime agricul- ASSSI only two can be admitted in any one year. tural land and has been heavily involved J.M. Hainsworth In recognition of his very great contrib• in the development of the State's The ASSSI Publication Medal for Environmental Planning Policy for rural 1987 has been awarded to Mr J.M. ution to the advancement of soil science in lands. Hainsworth for his joint paper with Prof. Australia over the past 36 years, and to L.A.G. Aylmore entitled "Water Extrac- fostering the ideals of the Society since its Butch has been a strong and enthu- tion by Single Roots" (Soil Sci. Soc. inception, Federal Council has admitted siastic supporter of the Society since Amer. J. 50: 841-848). This paper was Butch Hawkins as an Honorary Member joining as a foundation member of the chosen because it reports developments in for Life. NSW Branch in 1956. He was the a non-destructive method of measuring Mr. Cedric ("Butch") Hawkins retired Branch's first Secretary and was twice variations in soil water content and a bulk on 30 July, 1987, after 36 years of President of the Branch, from 1961 to density on a micro-scale. In the continuous service with the Department 1962 and 1972 to 1974. He was chairman Committee's opinion it will allow soil and of Agriculture New South Wales. He is of the Pro Tern. Committee, which was plant scientists to carry out studies which well known in the Australian scientific formed to revive the flagging NSW they have been unable to do before. In community as one of Australia's foremost Branch in 1972. He also served on the fact, applications will be limited largely by pedologists and as a leading authority on Organising Committee of the National the imagination of the researcher and the the soils of New South Wales. Soils Conference 1980. availability/cost of the equipment. After joining the Department of Prescott Medalist 1986 Mr Hainsworth made the major Agriculture in 1951, Butch immediately Dr K.C. Lee contribution to the development and began soil surveying. In the space of eight Dr Ken Lee, Senior Principal application of CAT scanning (Computer years he produced (in some cases with Assisted Tomography) to the study of colleagues such as John Beattie) some 20 Research Scientist and Officer-in-Charge of the Adelaide Laboratories, CSIRO water uptake by plant roots using X-and soil survey reports. At this time, he also gamma-radiation. This exciting develop- carried out research on soil layering and Division of Soils, is the Prescott Medalist for 1986. ment has created considerable national periodicity in landscapes with Pat and international interest amongst soil Walker, which was subsequently Dr Lee's academic training (leading to and plant researchers. The comments of published in several papers and the award of Doctor of Science in 1959) one referee on the most recent paper in the established him as an authority in this and early professional career were based Soil Science Society of America Journal field. in New Zealand. In 1965, he moved to that, "soil and plant scientists have been CSIRO's Division of Soils in Adelaide as waiting for decades to see the type of data In 1959 Butch became leader of the head of the Zoology Section. Department's Soils Section, a position he provided by the authors" is an was to hold for 22 years. During this time He has been a pioneer in the field of soil indication of the breakthrough in experi- he profoundly influenced the direction of zoology, both in New Zealand and mental technique and advance in know- Departmental soil fertility and soil Australia. His work has been directed to- ledge provided by this work. wards the understanding of soils as morphological research. In particular, he Mr Hainsworth graduated from the initiated research into soil analytical biological systems and the interaction University of Western Australia with 1st methods for the major nutrients to between biotic and abiotic processes. class Honours in Agriculture in 1981. His improve the efficacy of the Department's His monograph on New Zealand subsequent Ph.D. studies were carried soil testing service and was one of the first earthworms was the culmination of one out on the award of a Commonwealth to appreciate the magnitude of soil acidity and a half decade's work on this subject. It Postgraduate Scholarship. Since then he in New South Wales. Also, as Section was one of the first attempts to relate has been employed on grants from the Head he inspired and encouraged earthworms to soils, and it is still Australian Research Grants Scheme to numerous soil scientists by his words and regarded as an authoritative and relevant extend the work on soil water availability deeds. work in this field. using the new CAT scanning technique.

Butch Hawkins (left) is congratulated by Dr Ken Lee (left) receives the Prescott the President of the NSW Branch, Terry Medal from the President of the SA Abbott on his admission as an Honorary Branch, Mr Plowman. Member for life. BRANCH NEWS

many years of service with the NSW in both. Malcolm Oades and David ACT BRANCH Department of Agriculture. Chittleborough from the Waite Institute The ACT branch was well represented are involved in the centre for research into at the Deniliquin Tetra-Branch QLD BRANCH water quality and treatment, and Graham conference (11-13 May), with 17 members Allison and Keith from CSIRO are having a hand in 16 papers. It was agreed On 24 April, 35-40 people attended the Biloela Field Trip, which left the QDPI involved in the centre for research into by all participants from this branch that Biloela Research Station at 8 a.m. The groundwater processes. Both Malcolm the conference was organised very attendees included people from the QDPI and Graham are on the respective co- efficiently and at a moderate cost. We at Brisbane, Bundaberg, Rockhampton ordinating panels for these centres. congratulate the Riverina branch on their and Biloela; from the University of Cliff Thompson recently visited the enthusiasm and efficiency in running this Queensland and Griffith University; repre- Adelaide laboratories at CSIRO's Division conference. sentatives from the consulting and coal of Soils. Cliff addressed the Society on Several members, including Partap mining industries; from Consolidated "Temporal changes in soils and vegetation Khanna, John Raison (CSIRO Div. of Fertilisers; and from the Water Resources on coastal dunes at Cooloola, Queens- Forest Res.), John Freney, Jeff Simpson and Electricity Commissions. land", and also spoke at Geoff Beckmann's (CSIRO Div. of Plant Ind.) and John retirement. Field (ANU Dept. Forestry) all attended The first stop was at the QDPI Mount the conferene in Brisbane - "Advances in Murchison surface management trials, nitrogen cycling in agricultural where several scientists, who are involved VIC BRANCH ecosystems." in these long-term experiments, described their work, and results to date. After Dr David Flinn and Dr Peter Hopmans morning tea at the Callide 4B' Power from the Forestry Research and Develop- NSW BRANCH Station, most people enjoyed a tour of the ment Branch of the Department of Ian Vimpany, of the NSW Department rehabilitation trials at Callide Coalfields, Conservation, Forests and Lands have of Agriculture has moved from the while others became geographically mis- moved to 378 Cotham Rd, Kew (phone Biological and Chemical Research placed en route. 03-817 1381). The new abode is shared Institute, Rydalmere, to Wollongbar After an excellent picnic lunch by Lake with scientists from the Land Protection Agricultural Research Centre, where he Division. will be involved with soil fertility aspects Callide, the convoy drove to the Brigalow of the Horticulture Industry on the North Research Station, near Theodore. Shortly Dr Rengasamy from the Institute for Coast. Ian Harrison has taken over as after leaving Biloela, we halted and the Irrigation and Salinity Research, Tatura, Soils News correspondent. soils and landforms of the area between has now available the proceedings of a Biloela and Brigalow were briefly de- workshop entitled "Soil Structure and The Faculty of Agriculture, University scribed. Aggregate Stabililty" held at Tatura in of Sydney, is undergoing a rationalisation August 1986. Papers included in the process, with the Departments of Soil At Brigalow, there was an introduction proceedings are: Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, to the station and to the past and present Genetics and Biometry being grouped research being undertaken there. An - "The physical and chemical basis for into a School of Crop Science from the inspection of the catchment clearing study the management of structure of red- beginning of 1988. Each Department will and discussion of the results to date brown earths" by Prof J.P. Quirk, remain autonomous, but it is expected occupied most of the remaining daylight. - "Clay-humic interactions and soil that the formation of the new School will The trip concluded with a superb barbeque aggregate stability" by Dr B.K.G. foster more economical, integrated prepared by the Research Station Social Theng, research. club. - "Aggregation in soils" by Prof J.M. Oades, Neil Abraham is continuing work on S A BRANCH - "The role of micromorphology in studies the NSW Soil Data System. The system of soil physical and structural prop- specifications have been completed and During the past year, several members erties - A review" by Dr C.J. Chart res. were reviewed and accepted by user have retired. In particular, the CSIRO's Copies of the proceedings are available evaluators(Phil Ryan,Tony Koppi, John Division of Soils has seen the departure of from Dr Rengasamy at a cost of $10 per Crichton, John Lawrie, Glenn Atkinson, a number of senior staff from the discipline copy including postage. Rick Morse and Barry Craze). All that is of pedology and soil physics. needed now are funds from Treasury to The Victorian Branch has organised a start the computer programming. Geoff Beckmann has retired after 37 workshop on the use of statistical methods years with the Division. Geoff is well for soil science to be held at the Statistics Owen Graham has completed a draft known for his work on the cracking clay Centre, University of Melbourne on of a methodology for the assessment of soils on the Darling Downs, and more August 20 and 21, 1987. Details of the land degradation, funded by the National recently for his work on paleopedology. programme were announced in Soils Soil Conservation Program. The SCS is Geoff will, however, return as a research News, Vol.71. The workshop consists of a using the methodology for a survey of fellow in the near future. mixture of seminars and practicall sessions land degradation across NSW at a scale of to provide participants with "hands-on" 1 : 1 000 000. Bruce Billing has also ended a 17-year association with the Division, and plans experience in the use of multivariate Several major changes of personnel to undertake consulting work shortly. statistics. This presents a unique oppor- tunity for our members to "brush-up" on have occurred in the Soils and Nutrition Bill Greacen is still active around Section, Wood Technology and Forest their statistics. For detailed information laboratories after retiring earlier in the and enrollments contact Dr Nigel Turvey, Research Division, Forestry Commission year. Bill is currently visiting the U.S., of NSW. Late last year. Dr. John Turner University of Melbourne, Forestry Section where he is presenting a paper at an at Creswick (053^5 2405). was promoted to Chief and Marcia agronomy conference in Utah. Lambert promoted to Deputy Chief of the Division. Soil Physics has also witnessed the departure of Roy Bond, who, for the last The Branch has received two talks in few years, has been President of the the last two months. After the meeting CSIRO Officers Association. John held on the 1st of May, Brian Davey gave Colville, Murray Hughes and Cedric an account of the results of recent research in soil chemistry at the Wells also departed earlier this year. University of Sydney. Following the 26th Cedric is still an active member and put a of June meeting, Dr. Ron Harris from the great deal of time and effort into the Soil Pesticides Section, Agriculture running of this Branch over a number of Canada, Ontario gave a presentation years. We wish them all well. entitled "Enhanced microbial degrada- The Australian Water Research Ad- tion of pesticides in soils". An informal visory Council (AWRAC) has recently dinner was held afterwards to mark the established two centres of concentration "Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but your retirement retirement of Butch Hawkins after his for research with S.A. members involved was a computer error. " 6 TALKS AND SEMINARS

THE MECHANICS OF the electric field for uniform dielectric The management and disposal of over- constant, which depends only on probe burden in the context of a working, open ROOT GROWTH IN geometry. The weighting functions were cut mine in a high rainfall environment exhibited for the two probe configurations were presented. These included: AGGREGATED SOILS in common use: two coaxial cylinders or two parallel lines. For the parallel-line • Methods of covering overburden. system, the decay of the weighting function • Rate of infiltration of covering Summary of a talk by Dr R.K. Misra, with distance from the probe axis is material. School of Agriculture and Forestry, investigated, and the effective sampling • Characterization of materials. University of Melbourne, to the Victorian volume around the probe is calculated. Branch on 24 April, 1987. • Selection of covering material. An aggregated soil has a macro- • Site water management. structure defined by the sizes of aggregates • Erosion control aspects on the site. and voids. Root growth in such soil INTERACTIONS • Management of water on site. depends on the ability of roots to deform BETWEEN HEAVY • Achieving environmentally sound the aggregates and on the size and strength waste disposal. of the aggregates. The strength of aggre- METALS AND CLAY gates was measured in the laboratory as the maximum penetrometer pressure on — HUMIC ACID aggregates of finite size (2-29 mm) using MIXTURES blunt probes (cone angle 60 degrees) driven at 3 mm per min. Maximum penetrometer pressure increased asymp- Summary of a talk by Dr G.D. Campbell SOIL ZOOLOGY IN totically with increase in dimensionless of CSIRO Division of Soils, as part of the aggregate radius b/a, where a and b are Division's Seminar Series, on 1 June, AUSTRALIA — THE the probe and aggregate radii respectively. 1987. FUTURE? The axial growth pressure required for Investigations are reported on the penetration of aggregates by roots of pea, adsorption-desorption of cadmium by cotton and sunflower seedlings was montmorillonite - humic acid mixtures as Summary of a talk by Dr P. J. M. measured to determine the effect of examined by the miscible-displacement Greenslade of CSIRO, Division of Soils, aggregate size and strength on root (column) approach. In addition to com- as part of the Division's Seminar Series, penetration. Maximum penetrometer paring the affinity of clay and humic acid on 22 June, 1987. pressure and axial pressure exerted by towards cadmium under controlled con- An overview was given of some aspects roots increased asymptotically with ditions of solution pH and ionic-strength, of ecological soil zoology, emphasising increase in aggregate size. However, the the use of the miscible-displacement problems and possibilities of particular penetrometer probe was found to over- technique in examining solute interactions relevance to Australian systems such as with poorly-soluable, high molecular- estimate root growth pressure by a factor • nature of the soil fauna - diversity and of 1.8 to 3.8. Root buckling and deflection weight soil humic materials was illustrated. occurred whenever aggregate strength the "taxonomic impediment", exceeded maximum axial root pressure. • soil-fauna interrelationships - effects The response of roots to aggregates of EROSION AND of fauna on soil properties - effects various sizes and to voids forms the basis of soil on fauna - the question of upon which a stochastic model was PRODUCTIVITY: scale, developed to describe root growth in A PRELIMINARY • decomposition, energy flow and links aggregated soils. between fauna and micro-organisms STUDY - understanding complex community structures, and THE RESPONSE OF Summary of a talk by Evan Thomas of • practical applications: invertebrate the Soil Conservation Service ofNS W, as fauna and arable soils, grazing TIME DOMAIN part of CSIRO Division of Soils Seminar systems, "the environment" - conser- Series, on 20 July, 1987. vation and environmental assess- REFLECTOMETRY ment, landscape reclamation, fire MEASUREMENTS TO In 1980, the NSW Soil Conservation and forests, community responses Service set up a preliminary study into the to perturbation and time for LATERAL effect of erosion on productivity. The recovery. study used a subtle form of soil scalping, VARIATIONS IN simulating rill erosion, aiming to develop MOISTURE CONTENT a relationship between productivity and erosion of up to 40 years. This seminar Summary of a talk by Dr J. H. Knight, as presented some findings of the study, and part of the CSIRO Environmental commented on the design of such experiments. Mechanics Seminar Series, on 29 June, 1987. In the time domain reflectometry Why leave it to the Kiwis? method for measuring soil moisture DISPOSAL AND content, a signal is propagated along a The Antarctic Science Advisory transmission line probe inserted in the MANAGEMENT OF Committee is keen to have our Society soil, and its propagation velocity is METALLIFEROUS represented at its annual Forum. At measured. By standard theory of trans- the last one, Mr Bob Gunn looked mission lines, the velocity depends on the OVERBURDEN AT after our interests (see Newsletter No. dielectric constant of the medium, and so 70), but is not able to represent us any a bulk soil water dielectric constant (and WOODLAWN MINES, further. Any member willing to take hence an average soil moisture content) TARAGO, NSW his place should contact the Federal can be calculated. It was shown that, President. The New Zealand Soil when the moisture content varies in the Scientists have already done a lot of plane at right angles to a probe axis, the Summary of a talk by a representative of work in Antarctica (see this issue "New apparent bulk dielectric constant is Woodlawn Mines and Rob Cumming, Books"); should we stay out of it? approximately a weighted average of the visiting scientist to CSIRO Division of local values, with a weighting function Soils, as part of the Division's Seminar which is the square of the magnitude of Series, on 3 August, 1987. 7 CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIA, WORKSHOPS

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL USA TO BE SITE SYMPOSIUM ON SYMPOSIUM ON FOR IAHS THIRD ARTIFICIAL MANAGING SANDY SCIENTIFIC RECHARGE OF SOILS ASSEMBLY GROUND WATER The International Association of Hydrologic Sciences (IAHS) is sponsoring Date its Third Scientific Assembly (ITSA) in The Task Committee on Guidelines for February 8-12, 1988. the USA. The Assembly will consist of a Artificial Recharge of Ground Water, Location series of symposia held during 11-19 May, American Society of Civil Engineers, is Central Arid Zone Research Institute, 1989 at Baltimore, Maryland. The past sponsoring an International Symposium Jodhpur - 342 003, Rajasthan, India. two TSA's were held in Exeter, England on Artificial Recharge of Ground Water. General Information in 1982 and Budapest, Hungary in 1986. The symposium papers, oral and poster, The working language will be English. ITSA registration will start May 10. will be presented at the Inn-at-the-Park Date for receipt of letter of intent is 15 Sessions on May 11-12 will be jointly (near Disney Land) in Anaheim, Cali- May, 1987. The last date for receipt of full sponsored by IAHS and the American fornia from August 23 to 27, 1988. manuscripts and extended abstracts is Geophysical Union, the latter holding its July 31, 1987. Last date for registration is annual spring meeting at the same location Because of the world-wide interest in November 30, 1987. Registration fee of during May 8-12. artificial recharge and the need to develop US$150.00 is payable before November efficient recharge facilities, this symposium 30, 1987. After this date the registration The programme will consist of eight will bring together an interdisciplinary fee will be US$175.00. interesting symposia covering essentially group of scientists and engineers to Topics all phases of the hydrologic cycle, with (1) provide a forum for many professional 1. Major occurrences, morphological concurrent hands-on computer workshops disciplines to exchange experiences and on a variety of hydrologic modelling and mineralogical characteristics. programmes. Symposia are expected to findings related to various types of 2. Soil water retentivity and water artificial recharge, (2) learn from both include the following topics (1) Atmos- successful and unsuccessful case histories, relations; infiltration rate and water pheric Deposition (i.e. acid precipitation (3) promote technology transfer between movement; soil thermal regimes and and radioactive particulate matter), jointly the various disciplines, (4) provide an water interaction. with IAMAP, (2) Systems Analysis in education resource for communication 3. Mechanical properties and tillage Water Resources-Closing the Gap between with those who are not water scientists, requirements. Theory and Practice, (3) Surface Water such as planners, lawyers, regulators, and 4. Water and nutrient management in Modeling-New Directions for Hydrologic the public in general, and (5) indicate irrigated and unirrigated sandy soils; Prediction, (4) Regional Characterization directions by which cities or other entities biological augmentation of soil of Water Quality, (5) Stochastic Processes can save funds by having reasonable fertility. and Time Series Analysis in Glaciology, technical guidelines for implementation 5. Problem of soil erosion and its control; sand dune stabilisation. (6) Sediment and Environmental Effects, of a recharge project. A proceedings of (7) Ground-Water Contamination, and accepted oral and poster papers will be 6. Potentialities and limitations of sandy (8) Remote Sensing and Large-scale published. An exhibit of ground-water soils of different climatic regions for Global Processes. Commission meetings related equipment and books is contem- plant production. Technologies for and special tours will be arranged also. A plated. agroforestry, horticultural crops, proceedings of each symposium will be afforestation, pasture and silvi- published. An exhibit of hydrologic, pasture development. meteorologic, and computer books and Mid-way through the symposium, a 1- 7. Alternate uses of sandy regions - day tour will visit well-injection barrier equipment is planned. projects as well as surface recharge areas, Biosphere reserve, wild life and and water reuse projects. On August 22, tourism. Authors are invited to submit an plans are being made to offer an optional Call for Papers original and one copy of an abstract of 1-day continuing-education course on Research papers on any of the above 600-800 words (but not more than two artificial recharge theory and practice. topics are invited from intending partici- single-spaced typewritten pages) by pants. Those who return a note of intent, November 30,1987. The abstract should An optional 2-day field trip from stating their name, their organization, include the name, affiliation, and mailing Anaheim to San Francisco will be available and their address, with the proposed title address of the author(s) and an indication on August 27-28 to observe artificial of their paper, will receive a list of of the symposium or computer programme recharge and land subsidence sites, as well instructions for preparation of the paper. subject to which the paper is being offered. as points of hydrologic, geologic, and Poster Session Abstracts and requests for exhibit reser- historic interest along the tour route. The Participants are encouraged to present vation information or for placement on continuing-education course and the 2- their contributions in Poster Session. The the mailing list for future announcements day field trip will cost extra over the manuscript of the paper presented in the should be sent to Ivan Johnson, Chairman, regular registration fee. ITSA Organizing Committee, A. Ivan Poster Session will be included in the Johnson, Inc., 7474 Upham Court, proceedings. Arvada, CO 80003, USA. Authors are invited to submit an For Further Information original and one copy of an abstract in English of 300-400 words (but not more Dr. A.K. Shankarnarayan, Director, than one single-spaced typewritten page) Central Arid Zone Research Institute, by November 1,1987. The abstract should Jodhpur-342 003, Rajasthan, India. include the name, affiliation, and mailing address of the author(s). Abstracts and requests for exhibit information or for From the Listener (BBC) Out Takes placement on the mailing list for future announcements, should be sent to Ivan "If I did say that, I was misquoted." Lord Hanson on The World at One (Radio 4). Johnson, Chairman, ISAR Organizing Committee, A. Ivan Johnson, Inc., 7474 "Our nuclear power stations are as safe as they can possibly be, and are getting safer all Upham Court, Arvada, CO 80003, USA. the time." Sir Hugh Rossi, MP, on Today (R4).

8 REPORT ON SOIL SCIENCE CONFERENCE Advertisement - DENILILQUIN Want to measure soil moisture, density, hydraulic conductivity, salinity, or any other MAY 1987 soil factor? Want to measure plant water status, leaf temperature, leaf area, stomatal resistance or the atmospheric parameters that affect plant growth? Approximately 100 delegates attended Irricrop Technologies P/L has the equipment! the Tetrabranch Soil Science Conference in Deniliquin. The conference was hosted by the Riverina Branch of the Australian Irricrop Technologies Pty Ltd is agent for: Society of Soil Science. Delegates were asked to submit large abstracts (1 -2 pages), * Everest Interscience-Infrared Thermometers. instead of full papers, which simplified * Soil Moisture Equipment Corp-manufacturers of Guelph Permeameters. Salinity matters to everyone. The conference Sensing Equipment, Pressure Membrane Extractors, Soil Water Samplers, consisted of two days of oral papers, a day Tensiometers, Quick Draw Soil Moisture Probes, Plant Water Status Consoles. field excursion and an evening poster * Delta-T Devices-manufacturers of the Delta Logger, Automatic Porometers, Leaf session. The organizers were faced with Area Measuring Systems, Tube Solarimeters and Tube Net Radiometers, the problem of how to timetable 50 oral Ventilated Psychrometers, Millivolt Integrators, Quantum and Energy Sensors, papers. Even though several authors Temperature Sensors and Transducers. agreed to either present their paper as a * ARI-Arimad Pressure Bombs. poster or to withdraw them, we were left * Environdata-Easidata Loggers and Weather Sensors. wilth 40 papers to timetable over 2 days. * Skye Instruments-manufacturers of Radiation, Temperature and Humidity Sensors. The only way to do this was to schedule * Diss Industries-Wind Measuring Sensors. concurrent sessions for one afternoon. In retrospect, this was the wrong decision and future Tetrabranch Conferences ICT also imports dataloggers and weather/atmospheric sensors from *Sierra Misco, should limit the number of papers so as to *Li-Cor, *Weathertronics, *Campbell Scientific. avoid concurrent sessions. ICT will setup your plant-tissue testing laboratory. ICT will help you find the necessary equipment to measure almost any parameter The field trip to Wakool in the morning pertaining to the plant/soil/water/atmosphere complex. included visits to various stages of the ICT employs highly qualified agronomists to give you expert advice. Wakool-Tullakool subsurface drainage scheme. The possible use of the bitterns Please call: Dr Peter Cull, at Irricrop Technologies Pty Ltd, Narrabri NSW: solution from the evaporation ponds for Phone (067) 922167 or Fax (067) 923804. the improvement of soil structure was also discussed. In the afternoon, the subject changed committee for bearing with me during the Stewart, which did much to characterise to soils and land use in the Berriquin the resources of the north of the irrigation district. Besides the customary planning and execution of the conference. Richard Greene continent, have not been conducted since inspection of a soil pit, the party was the mid 1970's. Furthermore, the Division shown a model irrigation farm with laser- Convenor of Water and Land Resources no longer levelled bays and recycling of drainage exists! water. For copies of proceedings from Soil Science Conference Deniliquin, May The poster session was a great success. — Jeff Colwell (CSIRO, Division of With 24 posters on display, what was 1987 contact: Soils), whilst indicating that soil planned to take one hour extended into Mr. Peter Slavich, classification and survey could, in part, three hours. Department of Agriculture account for variability in crop yield, Deniliquin, N.S. W. 2710 played devil's advocate and suggested that The conversation at the poster session Ph: (058)81 1133 was greatly helped by the wine and cheese soil surveys could be replaced by tasing, after which delegates organized Cost: $15.00 per copy. sophisticated soil science, involving themselves into groups to experience the statistical analyses of the predominant various eating houses in Deniliquin. variables influencing yield at any given point. However, it appears that we are as The after-dinner speaker at the con- yet not practising this and it is not clear to ference dinner was Simon Pels, who talked REPORT ON A HALF- me how the results of such analyses are to about his days in the water commission be portrayed spatially. and reminded us all of the "tough" old DAY MEETING ON days. It was very pleasing to see so many THE THEME "WHO Paul Dann (NSW Department of familiar faces at the conference, especially NEEDS SOIL Agriculture) argued that, as a research those who had built their reputation on agronomist, he is concerned with the soils work in the Riverina Plain of S.E. SURVEYS" identification of particular constraints on Australia. Another pleasing aspect was ORGANIZED BY THE plant production and extrapolation of the large number of post-graduate students information regarding constraints to new who attended. This year, the Riverina ACT BRANCH - sites. Soil survey, it appears, is not Branch decided to encourage actively providing the answers, although detailed post graduates by offering a travel grant 3 JUNE 1987 mapping is usually unavailable. With to all students who presented a paper at Approximately 50 members and regard to soil acidification, for example, the conference. In all, 15 students received visitors attended the above meeting, data on pH, CEC, Al, Mg and Ca are financial assistance. The students ob- which was addressed by seven speakers vital, but these are not usually shown on viously benefitted by the experience of with a range of interests in soil survey. soil maps. Furthermore, it would appear presenting papers and interacting with Bob Gunn (ex CSIRO, Division of Water that management strategies can impose future professional colleagues. and Land Resources) commenced the same degree of acidification on four In conclusion, I believe that Tetra- proceedings with a review of soil and land different soil types. Paul did admit, branch Conferences have a bright future. resource surveys conducted by CSIRO. however, that he uses environmental I wish to thank all those who attended for Soil surveys, he pointed out, had their factors such as parent material, natural their part in making the conference a heyday between 1941 and 1955, and land vegetation, and other factors used intu- worthwhile exercise and a special thank- resource surveys, pioneered to a large itively by soil surveyors, to locate trial you to the members of the organizing extent by C.S. Christian and G.A. sites!

9 George Hall (Ohio State University, In summary, although soil survey is Information: Dr. U. Clesius, Universitat USA) demonstrated the commitment of hardly thriving at present, a willingness to Trier, Postfach 3825, D-5500 Trier, FRG. the US authorities to soil surveys, and consider methodology and the introduc- International Symposium on Biotech• indicated that by the mid 1990's every tion of database and geographic infor- nology at Soil Fertility Increase, county in the mid west and eastern states mation systems was apparent in the Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, September will have been soil surveyed, at scales of meeting. After all, soil survey should be 1987. 1:15 800 - 1:24 000. Soil survey data are an efficient means of disseminating Information: Dr Pavo! Bielek, Research used for a wide range of land capability research findings to a wide range of users Centre of Soil Fertility, Vrakunska assessments from crop yield prediction to of soil science data. 29,83421 Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. golf course location; and all this for a cost Colin Chartres of approximately $4.00 per hectare! International Symposium on Nutrient Management for Food Crop Production Ian Lawrence (National Capital WHAT IS IN in Tropical Farming Systems, Univ. Development Commission) pointed out STORE? Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia, October that siltation following urban develop- 19-24, 1987. (cooperation IB-Haren and ment in Canberra costs approximately Rest of 1987 KIT-Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and $300 000 per annum, and that money IITA, Nigeria). spent on soil survey for urban develop- Conference on Livestock and the Information: Mr. J. van der Heide, ment is vital to efficient urban planning. Improved Management of Dark Clay Institute for Soil Fertility, P.O. Box 30003, In Canberra, soil and land capability Soils in Africa, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, 9750 RA Haren, the Netherlands. maps are produced at 1:10 000 scale for August 31-Sept. 4, 1987. planning purposes, 1:2 500 for design Symposium on the Aerial Application of Information: S. Jutzi, ILCA, P.O. Box Pesticides in Forestry, purposes and 1:500 for the construction 5689, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. Ottawa, Canada, phase, which includes an erosion and October 20-22, 1987. sediment control plan. Whilst the NCDC 22nd Congress of the International Assoc• Information: K. Charbonneau, National generally follows the NSW Soil Con- iation of Hydraulic Research (IAHR); Research Council of Canada, Montreal servation Service urban land capability with Seminar on Transport of Contamin- Road, Ottawa, Ont. K1A OR6, Canada. system, it has found that terrain-slope-soil ants in Groundwater. Lausanne, Switzer- International Conference on Groundwater association mapping has been useful. land, August 31-September 4, 1987. Contamination, Use of Models in Information: Mr. W. H. Graf, EPFL Decisionmaking, John Lawrie (NSW Soil Conservation Laboratoire d'Hydraulique, 1015 Amsterdam, the Nether- Service) presented the results of a Lausanne, Switzerland. lands, October 26-29, 1987. questionnaire sent to all NSW soil conser- Information: Dr. G. Jousma, c/- TNO vationists. On the basis of 61 initial International Symposium on the Pro• Corporation Communications Dept., responses, 48 stated they would use more tection of Water Quality from Harmful P.O. Box 297, 2501 BD The Hague, the soil survey information if it were available, Emissions, with Special Regard to Nitrate, Netherlands. and most commented that the scale of Balatonfured, Hungary, September 1-4, 14th International Congress of Biochemis• existing mapping was too small. The final 1987 (CIEC). try (IUB), Prague Czechoslovakia, speaker, Neil McKenzie (University of Information: Hungarian Soc. of Agri- October 1987. New England/ CSIRO, Division of Water cultural Sciences, Kossuth Lajos ter 6-8, Information: R.L. Hill, Biochemistry Resources Research) argued that much 1055 Budapest 5, Hungary. Department, Duke University Medical was to be gained by combining a careful 13th Congress of the International Com- Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. understanding of landscape processes and mission on Irrigation & Drainage (ICID) International Symposium on Interaction stratigraphy with statistical assessments Rabat, Morocco, Sept 15-19, 1987. of the contribution of individual properties between Ground Water and Surface Information: Secretariat ICID, 48 Nyaya Water, to the explanation of variance within Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 11, India. Lund, Sweden, October 1987. mapping units. Traditional assessments Information: Dr. J.C. Rodda, Secretary of structure, for example, contributed Symposium on Mineral Nutrients in General IAHS, Inst, of Hydrology, nothing to explaining variance of air- Tropical Forest & Savanna Ecosystems, Maclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford, filled porosity and moisture retention Stirling, Scotland, U.K., September8-12, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX 10 8BB, properties across the whole area he had 1987. England. surveyed (i.e., Macquarie Valley)! He Information: Dr. J. Proctor, Dept. of Annual meeting of the Soil Science of suggested that soil survey in Australia has Biological Science, Univ. of Stirling, America, Atlanta GA, USA, November not progressed much in the last 20 years, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland. 30-December 4, 1987. but if it is to do so, we need more 8th International Symposium on Environ• Information: Dr. R. Barnes, ASA-CSSA- laboratory measurements, better field mental Bio-Geo-Chemistry (ISEB), SSSA, 677 South Segoe Road, Madison measurements of properties such as Nancy, France, September 14-18, 1987. WI 53711-1086, USA. infiltration and a much improved de- Information: Dr. Jacques Berthelin, 1988 scription of soil structure. He also Centre de Pedologie Biologique, CNRS, 5th International Soil Conservation mentioned works in the UK, Netherlands B.P. 5, 54501, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, January and Canada aimed at producing inter- Cedex, France. 18-29, 1988 (ISCO; cosponsoring by ISSS pretive maps on specific topics (e.g., 5th International Meeting on the Sub- Subcommission C). workability) from soil maps using "transfer Information: Mr. Sanarn Rimwanich functions". microscopy of Undisturbed Soil materials, Aberdeen, Scotland, September 14-18, President ISCO, c/o Dept. of Land Development, Phaholyotin Road, Bang- The individual speakers were followed 1987 (Cosponsoring by ISSS Subcom- mission B). kok 10900, Thailand. by a relatively lively discussion. It was International Symposium on Managing generally agreed that soil survey needs to Information: Dr. W.J. Hardy, Dept. of Mineral Soils, The Macaulay Institute for Sandy Soils, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, consider: February 8-12, 1988. (ISSS Commission 1. The type of relevance of the data it Soil Research, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, collects. AB9 2QJ, Scotland. VI). Information: Dr. K. Shankarnarayan, 2. Research findings in soil physics, 6th International Conference on Heavy Central Arid Zone Research Institute, chemistry and geostatistics.These are Metals in the Environment, New Orleans, Jodhpur 342003, India. not being conveyed adequately to USA, September 15-18, 1987. International Rangeland Development those making surveys, and are not Information: Heavy Metals Secretariate, Symposium, Corpus Christi,Texas, USA, being incorporated into survey CEP Consultants Ltd., 26 Albany Street, Edinburgh EH1 30QH, United Kingdom. February 15-19,1988. design. Information: Dr. James A. Tiedeman, 3. Beter methods of data storage, International Symposium on Agrohydrol- Cooperative Extension, 129 Johnson retrieval and extrapolation and ogy, Wageningen, the Netherlands, Sep- Hall, Washington State Univ., Pullman greater use of geographic information tember 29-October 1, 1987. WA 99164-6412, USA. systems. Information: IAC-OCC, P.O. Box 88,6700 International Conference on Agricultural 4. Cost effectiveness. AB Wageningen, the Netherlands. Engineering 1988, Paris, France, March 5. A higher public profile regarding the International Congress on Terminology 2-6, 1988. role and effectiveness of soil survey and Knowledge Engineering(INFOTERM), Information: Dr. Francis Sevila, (e.g., compare the USA and Trier, FRG, September 29-October 1, CEMAGREF, B.P. 5095, 34044 Australia). 1987. Montpellier Cedex, France. 10 READING

Antarctica, and a great deal of information The book provides a comprehensive NEW BOOKS is now available. overview of the status of ground water It is therefore timely to review the contamination in the United States. The current state of soil science in Antarctica, four major subject areas addressed are REMOTE SENSING IN SOIL for, as is found elsewhere in the world, ground water contamination, monitoring SCIENCE land management needs to be in accor- and detection, control of contamination, dance with soil attributes. The authors and renovating contaminated ground 1987; xii +378 pp. ISBN 0-444-42783-X. assume that the reader has little previous water. The papers also document current $145.50. Elsevier, Amsterdam. research and present practical solutions to knowledge of Antarctica, and therefore ground water problems using case studies This book provides comprehensive have provided sufficient background as examples. coverage of remote sensing techniques information to allow the Antarctic environ- and their application in soil science. A ment as it is related to soil formation to be clear, step-by-step approach to the various fully understood. aspects ensures tnat the reader will gain a SOILD WASTE DISPOSAL good grasp of the subject so that he can MANAGED GRASSLANDS. AND REUSE IN THE apply the techniques to his own field of UNITED STATES study. ANALYTICAL STUDIES The book opens with a thorough 1987; 350 pp. ISBN 0-444-42565-9. 1987; Vol. 1192pp., Vol. 11176pp. ISBN $223.50. Elsevier, Amsterdam. 0-8493-4646-0. introduction to the physical aspects of $392.25. CRC Press, Inc., Bocan Raton, electromagnetic radiation and the tech- Although ecologists have tended to USA. nical aspects of remote sensing and image regard agricultural ecosystems as unsuit- processing. This is followed by a discussion able subjects for study, some of the most These volumes present information of the methods for interpreting remote intensive studies of ecosystem processes describing the sources, amounts, and sensing data, and their application to have been made on agricultural eco- composition of various solid wastes in our soils, vegetation, and land as a whole. systems, and especially on grassland country. Trends in the production and As the interpretation of soil conditions ecosystems. Agricultural ecosystems are reuse of solid wastes are also discussed. is based on many aspects (i.e. soil surface, generally simpler, and therefore easier to For large volume nonnuclear solid wastes, vegetation, land use, land form), the scope study than natural ecosystems, and the (e.g. electrical utilities, chemical industry, of the book is correspondingly broad. It resulting studies have yielded a vast mining industry, and municipal refuse), will therefore provide much useful inform- amount of information and many new details are presented on the quantities; research techniques have been developed. how they are produced, reused and ation for students and scientists in soil disposed; their physical-chemical compo- science, geography, geology, hydrology, This volume, with its two main themes sition; and the mobilization, transport ecology, agriculture and civil engineering. of energy flow and nutrient cycling in and environmental fate of the released managed grasslands, is the first to treat constituents from disposal practices. these two subjects in an integrated way. ATLAS ON THE BIOLOGY OF Energy flow is considered mainly in the SOIL ARTHROPODS context of primary and secondary produc- tivity, while nutrient cycling is considered SILENT SPRING REVISITED 1987; 450 pp. ISBN 3-540-17764-7. especially in the context of fertiliser use. $163.25 Springer- Verlag. The result is not just a description of 1987; 214 pp. From the Foreword: „Anyone who managed grassland ecosystems, but a Hardcover, $52.25, ISBN0-8412-0980-4. has glimpsed a sample of soil animals, bridging of the gap between ecological Soft cover, $32.-, ISBN 0-8412-0981-2. especially the soil arthropods, through the principles and agricultural practice. American Chemical Society. binocular microscope will never forget the Ecologists will value the wealth of infor- fascination of their abundant shapes and mation, ideas and techniques that have This provocative, easy-to-read work structures ... electron microscopy has resulted from managed grasslands studies takes a daring new look at the envirno- added another dimension which multiplies - much of which is applicable to natural ment 25 years after Rachel Carson's the initial fascination. When I leaf through ecosystems. Agronomists will be interested landmark study. In Carson's time, the this „atlas" my attention is repeatedly in the ecological processes and principles environment was relentlessly assaulted by caught by the numerous pictures ... the underlying current management practices. a society reaching for total control, and it richness of form and function of the soil was becoming increasingly apparent that arthropods have proved to be an in- nature was not as self-cleansing as exhaustible source of biological interest. PROCEEDINGS JOINT believed. Many of Carson's predictions The authors ... demonstrate this in a ASSS—NZSSS CONFERENCE, about environmental toxicity, human praiseworthy manner ... This atlas offers ROTORUA '86 every teacher the opportunity of rapidly health effects, water contamination, and obtaining an overview and thus compiling waste site problems have proved correct. the most vivid teaching material... Finally, Available from Dr Lyle Douglas, School However, Silent Spring Revisited reports the index offers easy access to each of Agriculture and Forestry, University of that virtually all of the issues she raised individual aspect of the subject to those Melbourne, Parkville 3052; $15.-. are today in some stage of correction. who are motivated to study further." The Title of the Conference was "Surface Soil Management", and the full text of the 24 papers delivered is included ANTARCTICA: SOILS, in the Proceedings. Topics covered in the WEATHERING PROCESSES Papers include Soil Biology (enzymes, AND ENVIRONMENT earthworms), Soil Physics (soil strength, 1987; 406 pp. ISBN 0-444-42784-8. water movement, structural stability), Soil $158.50. Elsevier, Amsterdam. Chemistry (soil P and Al), and Soil Erosion. Antarctica is currently the subject of world-wide interest, both because of its supposed potential for minerals, and because of its very high aesthetic and environmental values. In recent vears, DEADLINE AND scientists from the New Zealand Soil DETECTION, CONTROL, AND Bureau have been involved in the investi- RENOVATION OF CONTAMIN• ADDRESS FOR gation of soils and soil processes in as ATED GROUND WATER many parts of Antarctica as could be 1987; 226 pp. ISBN 0-87262-595-8. CORRESPONDENCE reached. They have shown how Antarctic $38.-. American Society of Civil Engineers soils vary with different environmental Proceedings of a symposium sponsored The deadline for the next issue of SOILS conditions, how soil processes in by the Committee on Water Pollution NEWS is 15 October 1987. Antarctica compare with those in other Management of the Environmental Address for correspondence: Mr Rob parts of the world, and how the soils Engineering Division, co-sponsored by Wetselaar, Division of Plant Industry, provide valuable information for recon- the United States Environmental Pro- CSIRO, G.P.O. Box 1600 Canberra, ACT struction of the history of Antarctica. At tection Agency, Office of Ground Water 2601 the same time, many other workers have Protection - Atlantic City, New Jersey, taken up studies of a pedological nature in April 27-28, 1987. II information system relevant to the silvi- REVIEWS cultural management of Pinus plantations. It was found that the existing soil OBITUARY Friends and colleagues of Brian METHODS FOR CHEMICAL classifications were generally not based ANALYSIS OF SOILS on soil attributes relevant to tree growth. Crack, Director, Division of Land Therefore a Technical Classification was Utilisation, Queensland Department Edited by L.C. Blakemore, P.L. Searle developed based mainly on physical soil of Primary Industries, were saddened andB.K. Daly. NZ Soil Bureau Scientific attributes important to growth of Pinus to hear of his death. Brian died at Report 80. NZ Soil Bureau, Department radiata in particular. The system has now home on 28 February, 1987, after a of Scientific and Industrial Research, been tested for a wide range of climatic battle against cancer. He is survived by Lower Hutt, New Zealand; 103 pp., conditions, soil types and lithologies and his wife Ann, his children Paul, Jane US$25.- (Incl. postage). is providing the kind of information and Anthony, and his daughter-in-law needed for the management of softwood Mandy. plantations. The Technical Classification Brian's career began in 1948 when The book replaces an earlier public- and its practical evaluation have been he joined the Agricultural Chemistry ation by these authors, NZ Soil Bureau Branch, Department of Primary Indus- Scientific Report 10A, which is now out prepared for publication in AJSR. Peter Hopmans tries (then the Chemical Laboratory of of print. The text has been fully revised the Department of Agriculture and and several new methods are included. Stock) as a Cadet. He completed his Individual sections describe the deter- science degree in 1952 and later spent mination of moisture factor, pH, carbon, three years in the chemical laboratory nitrogen, phosphorus, cation exchange at Ayr Research Station. These were properties, reserve potassium and mag- the early years of soil research in the nesium, extractable iron, aluminium, and Burdekin area, where he developed an silicon, soluble salts, calcium carbonate, interest in Burdekin soils which sulphur, and a limited number of analyses continued throughout his career. Brian for plant litters and peats. was awarded a King George VI Some sections begin with a brief Memorial Fellowship to study at the discussion as to why the particular method University of California for a Masters or methods described have been chosen, degree in soil chemistry in 1958-59. On but this is not a consistent feature. his return to Brisbane he worked on References at the end of the section allow the problem of quality in Queensland the interested reader to probe further. tobacco, particularly the effect of chloride and the measurement of leaf Although this book is not meant to be colour. a general manual of soil analysis but rather a description of how various Brian spent 1962-1969 in the analyses are performed at the Soil Bureau, CSIRO, Division of Soils, mainly at it will serve as a very useful guide for other the new Davies Laboratory in Towns- laboratories considering the adoption of a ville. He and his colleagues conducted particular new method. Procedures are regional soil fertility studies and described in a clear and concise manner described the chemical properties and and an efficient coding system allows The E.S. Hills nutritional limitations of soils covering cross-referencing from one method to Memorial Scholarship Appeal large areas of North Queensland. Their another, thus avoiding unnecessary dupli- work has been a model for broad, cation. Many University of Melbourne regional, soil fertility assessment. A final section consists of a Table of graduates will be receiving a personal In 1969 he returned to the Depart- recommended numbers of significant letter seeking support for this appeal ment of Primary Industries as Senior decimal places to which results for each to commemorate, in a practical way, Soils Technologist. For the next 12 method should be reported, and also a the outstanding contribution of the years he played a major role in Table of ratings given by the Soil Bureau late Edwin Sherbon Hills. establishing and guiding a wide range to the various chemical properties for The appeal aims to establish an of activities in soil chemistry, soil New Zealand soils. annual award for an outstanding and physics, and soil survey, which led to the development of strong groups in G.P. Gillman needy student taking post-graduate studies in Geology at the University of each of these disciplines. Brian was Melbourne. appointed Director of the Agricultural Chemistry Branch in 1979. In 1981 he I invite donations, using the format was given the task of reorganising the below. Division of Land Utilisation, and this led to its present composition of A TECHNICAL CLASSIFICATION John Lovering, Chairman, Agricultural Chemistry, Soil Conserv- FOR SOILS OF PINUS Appeal Committee ation Services, Soil Conservation PLANTATIONS IN AUSTRALIA: Research, and Land Resources FIELD MANUAL >P_ Branches. Brian was appointed Director of the Division in 1982. His 1987; 46 pp.; $10.- (incl. postage). Bull. I enclose my donation of $ to wide experience in soil science and his No. 6. Available from Dr Nigel Turvey, the E.S. Hills Memorial Scholarship extensive knowledge of, and love for, University of Melbourne, Forestry Section Appeal. I note that detailed conditions Queensland soils have since proved at Creswick (tel. 053-452405). of the appeal will be included with invaluable in expanding the Depart- acknowledgement and receipt. Don- ment's activities in research, extention, This manual has been prepared for use and regulatory aspects of soil conser- by foresters to provide a soils information ations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible in Australia. Address to the vation in Queensland. He served on data base that can be integrated with many State and Commonwealth computerised forest inventory and manage- Secretary, E.S. Hills Memorial Scholar- ship Appeal, Department of Geology, committees which dealt with soil ment systems. In the past, soils infor- conservation, water resources, irri- mation has often not been used because of The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052. gation, and drainage and related lack of a suitable classification for forest matters. soils. The background to the development of Name: In the Soil Science Society, Brian the Technical Classification is as follows: had been President of the Queensland one of the highlights of the Australian Address: Branch, a member of the Terminology Forest Nutrition Workshop, which was Committee, and a member of the held in Canberra in 1981, was the form- Post Code: Program Committee for the 1984 ation of a small working party consisting National Soils Conference. of forest and soil scientists, who were given the charter of developing a soils R.C. Bruce