Ecosystem Management Understanding in Central Australia

Many land managers across central Australia are faced with problems of erosion, soil loss and declining productivity. Since 2009, the Centralian Land Management Association (CLMA) has implemented the Ecosystem Management Understanding (EMU) project to help land managers make effective management decisions and create real change on ground. CLMA's Camilla Osborn spoke about EMU at the recent Alice Springs Regional NRM forum in Alice Springs.

EMU helps land managers to recognise and read landscape processes, condition and change. The process begins with managers recording their property knowledge on a map.  This is followed by air and ground assessment of key areas, landscape-scale planning, and in many cases on-ground rehabilitation of the prioritised areas.  Habitat monitoring techniques are also included.

Information collated is kept confidential unless otherwise arranged. This builds a foundation of trust and ensures a sincere interaction between land managers and scientists.

To date 24 pastoralists have participated in the EMU process in the NT, with many more in nearby areas of arid SA and Qld.

EMU has actively engaged land managers in strategic and effective land management. Participants say that they now read the landscape with ‘EMU eyes’ and recognise the various processes and changes affecting their property. Many have prioritised restoration projects and are in the process of implementing rehabilitation works, often assisted by successful applications for funding. Some pastoralists have also changed their herd management practices.

The EMU project is ongoing and the number of participating properties is expected to increase in 2013.

By building on the knowledge base of land mangers and passively encouraging change in management practice the EMU process is set to leave a legacy of positive environmental change throughout central Australia.

Acknowledgement: Centralian Land Management Association