Developing environmental monitoring tools from sustainability indicators in the southern Riverina

This paper outlines work being undertaken with farmers in the Riverina of New South Wales to develop practical tools to help assess and monitor on-farm environmental performance. A Participatory Learning and Action Research approach was used which combined farmers' knowledge and interest in the environment with previous research undertaken on water losses in cropping systems. The hypothesis tested was 'that current water sustainability indicators developed by scientists were of limited use for on-farm application'. Using the participatory approach, 2 monitoring tools were produced and the approach was illustrated using a 'learning cycle'. The first tool assessed so-called 'perenniality' on a whole farm basis. The second tool allowed farmers to assess the 'leakiness' (losses of water below the root zone of farming systems) of a paddock in a particular year using farmers' rainfall records, assessment of soil type and assumptions about the ability of plant species grown to dry out the soil. Water related sustainability indicators developed by scientists were not particularly useful in helping farmers assess their environmental performance. Using a participatory approach was a valuable way to develop environmental monitoring tools with participants learning much in the process.