Alley Farming

Project Summary and Aims

The threat to biodiversity and reduction in profitability of broadacre farming due to altered hydrology is resulting in the adaptation of farming practices to minimise ecological and economic impacts (John et al., 2005).

The threat to native flora and fauna has increased awareness and initiated a move toward more sustainable farming practices.

The use of native perennial vegetation as a form of remediation has already been established, and its potential as an alternative crop source is currently under investigation. Various strategies for the implementation of this form of remediation are being investigated; this study will focus on an alley farming approach where native perennial trees and crops are planted in alternate rows.

Issues regarding the biomass yield from the trees have thus far limited the application of alley farming, so identifying and understanding the processes involved in improving yield will aid in the adoption of this form of remediation. This has prompted the development of the following two aims of this research:

1. To identify the connections and controls of woody perennial alley farming on watertable levels and biomass production and to determine the optimal width of alley to tree belts for both recharge control and biomass production,
2. To investigate the potential for surface water-groundwater control and management to increase biomass production of tree belts in alley farming systems.

Meeting these aims will further the research and lead to a wider application of this land management approach in salt affected areas. In addition this research will contribute to these broader outcomes:

1. Better understanding of the relationship between woody revegetation in alleys on valley floors and watertable/salinity control,
2. Developing tree crops as integral, multipurpose components of sustainable land management systems, and
3. Stimulating significant revegetation in Wheatbelt catchments.

An alley farming site showing crops (gold) and tree belts (green).

Water Balance diagram.

Click on the diagram for a larger image with notes.

This research project is being undertaken by Saskia Noorduijn under the supervision of Professor Keith Smettem and Dr Anas Ghadouani.

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The Nepowie site, immediately to the west of Lake Toolibin, showing tree belts (dark) and alleys (light) of varying widths. Lake Toolibin, in the centre of the picture is an A class reserve and a wetland of international importance. Click on the image to see a larger, annotated version.

This site can also be seen in the aerial photo of Lake Toolibin on the Toolibin Lake Biodiversity Recovery Catchment project page.

The Davenport's site, approximately 10km North of Lake Toolibin, showing two experimental sites of tree belts and alleys. The Davenport site is larger than Nepowie and different treatments (from fully revegetated to narrow tree belts and wide crop alleys) are repeated several times on the site. The white patches in the centre of the image show salt scarring. Click on the image to see a larger, annotated version.