Pastoral Land Rehabilitation in the Semi-Arid Tropics, by Sally
Sullivan and Maria Kraatz, brings together for the first time a
review of all land rehabilitation projects undertaken on pastoral
lands in the semi-arid tropics of the Northern Territory between
1946 and 1996.
This area covers the Victoria River, Katherine and Gulf and Barkly
districts. The book includes a timeline history of land
rehabilitation in the NT, as well as a detailed station-by-station
account of rehabilitation activities in these districts. Thirdly,
the report explores factors influencing the success of
rehabilitation.
The report is intended to be a useful and practical document for
landholders. Although the focus is on pastoralism it may be useful
for other land managers.
So what is the take-home message? According to author Sally
Sullivan, a former land conservation officer, “prevention of
degradation is far preferable to developing a need for
rehabilitation”. Once significant erosion occurs it can be
difficult to repair. “The station-by-station analysis of
rehabilitation showed that time and time again.”
Effective prevention includes judicious land management, control of
livestock and feral animals and careful placement of fences, roads
and waters. But for land managers who do have degraded land the
report provides a comprehensive guide to rehabilitation techniques.
