Where are you at with your understanding of your property?
After a year of articles, I thought it appropriate that we review our understanding of what we have explored over the past year.
By using Sixmaps we are able to accurately locate our property and compare the computer-generated details with any paper records we have to ensure we are on the right property. We are also able to obtain a topographic map of the property from the web site. This can be printed to any scale we would like to mark in features identified on the property (weeds, dams, yards, forest areas etc).
Through Google Maps we have been able to build an historic representation of the property (as far as the digital imagery of the area records it) so that older land use can be obtained. Landsat imagery for NSW can also reveal details of past activity and be useful in identifying old trees, tracks and other features present in the past that are not as visible today.
Geological information about our property can be a strong indicator of the type of soil that will be present and helps to understand the terrain and water flow of our location.
Soil details can be ascertained from an understanding of the geology and this can be confirmed by consulting a source such as The Bioregions of New South Wales their biodiversity, conservation and history for broad details and then using a site such as;
https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/eSpade2Webapp/
to find more details of the soil in your locality. Further soil analysis of your area is the next step, but this was not covered in the article on soils.
We have touched on the rainfall of a location and using the Bureau of Meteorology data are able to find out an annual rainfall figure for our property. We have also looked at the topography and stream flow in our locality to gain an understanding of the catchment impact on our property location. We have also looked at the amount of rain that falls and can now gain an insight to the concept of the 1 in 100-year flood event from tables available from the Bureau.
We next looked at the concept of identifying the vegetation that was present on the property in earlier years and using Digital Earth Australia were able to gain some understanding of past vegetation and linked this information with Landsat imagery to develop our understanding further. The purpose was to lay a foundation for a revegetation program on the property. In some Local Land Service districts, maps are available that attempt to show pre-European settlement vegetation cover. Using an app such as Trees Near Me it is possible to gain further details of the various plant species that are located in particular forest types, and this can be of assistance in the development of a revegetation program.
Our final article was about various publications that are available through local and state Local Land Services to assist property owners in the development of a plan that is related to the financial outcomes of the farming enterprise. The material also included sections that called for identification of native vegetation on properties and outlined some of the benefits of vegetation cover for stock and soil stability and protection from wind and rain.
After a year of gaining knowledge, it would be of value to me to ask if there are other property issues that you would like me to investigate to assist you in your activities as Landcarers. I look forward to your comments and suggestions. Send emails to contact@hunterlandcare.org.au and address your queries to The Property Investigator.
Thank you.