Land and Water Link

December 2004

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Betting the farm future

When farming communities get together and put their land where their hearts are, they can really turn things around. This is the basis of the CSIRO Heartlands program, which links science to landscape change. Find out how the combined efforts of all the participants are making the future look better and better.

Across the fenceline

What do farmers see when they look across the fenclines? New web-linked technology is giving farmers the chance for a virtual peep over the fence - read on to learn what it is they can see.

Probing living earth

Is soil alive? Some scientists reckon that in a healthy, balanced ecosystem the soil is so full of life it could be viewed as a single living organism. In a ground-breaking approach, CSIRO scientists are using gene probe technology to identify the health and functions of our living soils.

Looking for adventure

If you're the adventurous type, read on. You can now have some new experiences, meet interesting people and make a real contribution to the environment, all by joining a CSIRO Earthwatch expedition. Find out how volunteers and CSIRO scientists got together in the field in Northern Queensland on a recent expedition.

Feature Story: Robust water reform

The National Water Initiative could either take Australia to the frontier of water management - or simply provide a framework for an ongoing water reform process. CSIRO Land and Water scientist Mike Young describes how the choice is up to us.

Guiding global development

Reading the leaves

How can leaves tell us how much rainfall makes it into the groundwater system? CSIRO Land and Water hydrologists know how, and they are looking into leaf measurements to find out how best to manage groundwater use in and around the city of Perth, Western Australia.

Native foods now on web menu

All about LNAPL in the subsurface

X-ray specs to spot salinity

Airborne geophysics has been dubbed the 'ultrasound of the earth'. This technology has been used for decades in the mining industry, and now it is branching into a new area: the search for solutions to the problem of salinity.

Good news for a dry country

Coming events: ICOBTE

New appointments