One Day post-conference Field Trips - Saturday September 11, 2010

Field Trip 1

Burning for Biodiversity and Carbon Sequestration at the Territory Wildlife Park

Destination: Fire experiment plots, Territory Wildlife Park, Berry Springs NT
Date: Saturday September 11, 2010
Departure time: 9.00 am from the Darwin Convention Centre
Return time: 4.30 pm approx.
Cost: $125 per person (includes transport, park entry fee, morning tea refreshments and lunch).

Tropical savannas are Australia’s most fire prone biome, with up to half or more of many landscapes being burnt each year.  Fire plays a key role in maintaining savanna biodiversity, and also has an important influence on Greenhouse gas emissions. Savanna burning makes a significant contribution to the nation’s accountable (non-CO2) emissions through the release of methane and nitrous oxide. Savannas contain about 30% of Australia’s terrestrial carbon stocks, and fire strongly influences rates of carbon sequestration through its effects on litter decomposition, charcoal production, and tree growth and survival.  There is growing national and international interest in reducing the extent and severity of savanna fires in a Greenhouse gas abatement context.  However, there needs to be an integrated understanding of the effects of different fire management options on Greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity values.  In 2003, as part of the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, CSIRO established a manipulative fire experiment at the Territory Wildlife Park, in collaboration with the Northern Territory Government and Charles Darwin University. The experiment focuses on the effects of fire frequency and intensity on biodiversity and ecological processes, especially relating to carbon sequestration.  CSIRO staff will host the one day field trip to the experimental fire plots, providing plenty of opportunity for participants to discuss north Australian fire research issues with local scientists. Lunch will be at the park café and in the afternoon participants will be able to view Top End flora and fauna http://www.territorywildlifepark.com.au/ . Minibuses will leave the Wildlife Park to return to Darwin at approximately 3.30 pm.

Field Trip 2.

Wetlands Biodiversity

Destination: Adelaide River Wetlands; Marrakai Track
Date: Saturday September 11, 2010
Departure time: 7.00 am from the Darwin Convention Centre
Return time: 6.30 pm approx.
Cost: $125 per person (includes transport, all fees, morning tea refreshments and lunch).

This Field Trip exposes participants to the coastal floodplain ecosystem and gives them an opportunity to view a range of economic activities which are impacted upon by annual savanna wildfires.  It will provide an opportunity to inspect evidence of this season’s fires and potentially view a savanna wildfire (from a safe distance).
The tour takes in the Adelaide River Wetlands (which in September won’t be very wet!) including a number of prominent tourist attractions which focus on tropical ecology.

07:00 Depart Darwin
08:00 Fogg Dam
Guided tour of failed rice experimental farm, now the site of world’s densest animal biomass.  Wetlands boardwalk and bird viewing.
9:30 Window on the Wetlands
Spectacular interpretive centre perched on Beatrice Hill, the highest feature on the Adelaide River floodplain.
10:30 Adelaide River Queen
Morning tea beside the Adelaide River followed by a cruise on the Adelaide River Queen to see abundant wildlife along the river’s edge and the spectacular jumping (wild) crocodiles (cruise departs at 11:00).
13:00 Beatrice Hill Buffalo Farm
A barbeque lunch by the river at the Beatrice Hill Buffalo Farm followed by a guided tour of the farm, including a presentation on the history of the Asian water buffalo in northern Australia and its impact upon the environment.
15:00 Marrakai Track – fire ground and fires
Return to Darwin along the Marrakai Track, the original road to Kakadu.  Tour will stop along the way to inspect recent fire grounds and key fire features including infestations of Gamba grass.  Weather and conditions permitting, the tour will take the opportunity to view a wildfire in progress.
18:30 Return to Darwin

Field Trip 3

Resource Management

Destination: Litchfield National Park, Batchelor Fire Base
Date: Saturday September 11, 2010
Departure time: 7.00 am from the Darwin Convention Centre
Return time: 6.30 pm approx.
Cost: $125 per person (includes transport, all fees, morning tea refreshments and lunch).

This Field Trip takes participants through the Darwin rural hinterland to the sandstone plateau country of Litchfield National Park, an area subject to intense late Dry season fires annually.  The trip will immerse participants in the key resource management issues associated with the annual fire regime and provide opportunities to gain insights into logistical issues associated with keeping park visitors safe.  Opportunities to discuss Aboriginal perspectives will also be available.  Given the timing, the trip will provide an opportunity to inspect evidence of this season’s fires and potentially view a savannah wildfire (from a safe distance).

07:00 Depart Darwin
Driving through the Darwin hinterland participants will see the remains of recent fires on their way to the spectacular waterfalls of Litchfield National Park.  

09:00 Florence Falls
The first of the three major waterfalls open to visitors in Litchfield National Park.  A short walk and extensive stair allow visitors to descend from the open woodland of the plateau into the monsoon vine forest of Florence Creek followed by a short walk to the plunge pool.  Great photo opportunities can be found at lookouts along the way but the highlight is swimming in the cool waters at the bottom of the falls.

10:30 Wangi (‘won-guy’) Falls
A drive across the plateau and down the ‘jump-up’ leads to the coastal plains at the western margin of the National Park.  Wangi Falls has a large plunge pool and a walking track that provides opportunities to see local flora and fauna (including the prominent flying fox colony).  Morning tea in the picnic area and view art work created by the Park’s Aboriginal Traditional Owners on sale nearby.

1:00 Adelaide River War Cemetery
Lunch under the spreading trees near the Adelaide River War Cemetery.  After lunch, take a walk and experience the tranquillity of this Commonwealth War Cemetery.  Adelaide River was Australia’s ‘front line’ in WWII and the beautifully maintained garden has the remains of hundreds of young men and women who gave their lives in the only theatre of war on Australian soil.

2:30 Batchelor Fire Base
A quick inspection of the Bushfires NT Batchelor Operational Headquarters will be followed by a ramble through the fire grounds of the Darwin Rural Area.  The tour will stop along the way to inspect recent fire grounds and key fire features including infestations of Gamba grass.  Weather and conditions permitting, the tour will take the opportunity to view a wildfire in progress.

18:30 Return to Darwin


Maximum participants per Field Trip: 25
Prices include GST
Bookings on Delegate Registration form.