This project will investigate the drivers of persistent bare soil development in parts of the Southern Gulf region of north-west Queensland in order to inform bare soil rehabilitation efforts and build drought resilience. The project will combine satellite imagery analysis of land cover change, with long-term rainfall analysis, and on-ground field data collection, including drone mapping, soil sampling and land condition assessment at selected sites. The project will communicate and disseminate findings through demonstration sites, field days, production of communications material, working collaboratively with landholders, Southern Gulf NRM, and the TNQ Drought Hub. Importantly, the project will leverage and add value to an existing project focused on the demonstration of bare soil rehabilitation techniques for building drought resilience. While focused in the Southern Gulf region, the new knowledge and information generated from this project will be of great value to other regions around Australia seeking to better understand the drivers of persistently bare soil development and rehabilitate and restore these degraded landscapes.
This program received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
