This week the CSIRO erected a tower to take instruments to determine evaporation from Banksia woodland and recharge from the Gnangara groundwater mound within the lease area of the LIGO.

These measurements will enable a better calculation of recharge for this ecosystem than previously available, and monitor how the vegetation is responding to changes in climate and other influences.

Gnangara Mound is now Perth’s most important water resource, and watertables have been falling for several decades. Climate change, altered fire regimes, invasive species, human encroachment and inappropriate land and habitat management all have an impact on the viability and productivity of natural ecosystems, and hence on the services they perform for the planet and ultimately for our supply of fresh water, clean air and other natural resources.  The installations will enable far-reaching and cutting-edge research into fundamental ecosystem processes, in particular understanding the relationship between ecosystem function and water and carbon balances in a changing climate.

The installation will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaborators and for new initiatives to establish experiments testing ecological theories and response to interventions.  The research undertaken using these facilities will enable the linkage between patterns and processes in natural systems to be better understood scientifically and enable the understanding of what factors may bring ecosystems to threshold states that threaten their sustainability.

For the first time, total evapotranspiration and carbon assimilation will be measured across large areas of woodland in WA.  State of the art instrumentation will be used to measure the water cycle components, rainfall, infiltration, and total evapotranspiration, and carbon fluxes and vegetation structure across each experimental patch.

The knowledge gained will enable improved understanding of ecosystem processes and how these generate ecosystem services, improving our capacity to manage natural resources to balance productivity and biodiversity.

The installation is of 15m mast to mount the instruments above the tree canopy.  Groundwater levels and soil moisture will be monitored to determine the recharge under the woodland. Data will be telemetered via mobile phone back to base to minimise traffic to the site and maintain constant data collection and monitoring of the performance of the instruments. An educational display of the aims of the project and the measurements recorded will be installed at the GDC through the next year. Details of the site will be available soon at http://www.ozflux.org.au/monitoringsites/gnangara/index.html

For any details, including proposals for collaboration please contact Dr Richard Silberstein, richard.silberstein@csiro.au or Phone: 08 9333 6000

The UWA Renewable Energy Vehicle Project (REV) hopes to “revolutionise personal transport” by building zero emission vehicles, powered by electricity from renewable sources, charged from any plug point and viable to both the performance and commercial markets. REV is tackling the problems created by rising fuel prices and vehicle pollution head-on. The REV team is comprises Engineering staff and students from the University of Western Australia, fuelled by a passion for a sustainable future. REV provides a unique opportunity for students to learn and develop multi-disciplinary teamwork plus innovative, design, leadership, management, marketing, finance and practical skills.

The Hyundai Getz will be at the centre from Monday 11th July, throughout the school holidays.