CSIRO Research Project

The RGA worked with CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems during 2008 on a research project looking at future water management strategies for Riverina broad acre irrigators and the impacts that any changes in farming and irrigation practices may have on biodiversity.  The project was jointly funded by the Federal Government through the National Agriculture and Climate Change Action Plan Implementation Program, CSIRO and RGA.

The project aimed to:

• Evaluate the impact of projected climate change scenarios on current Riverina farming systems
• Evaluate the impact on biodiversity in irrigation areas
• Together with growers, subsequently consider a range of possible farming system adaptation options and evaluate their long-term viability using simulation modelling as a tool i.e. production risk, gross margins under a range of projected climates
• Evaluate the biodiversity implications of these potential changes

A summary of the projects findings is available here. 

Information from the project on climate observations, predictions and adaptation are included under Climate Trends & Predictions and Adaptation.

Some of this work is continuing through follow on projects.