Landcare - Wingellina Project

The need for this project was similar to that of Pipalyatjara. Over the years the trees, shrubs and ground cover had suffered the pressure of being harvested for local consumption. Parts of trees had been used for making artefacts, fire wood and building shelters. Shrubs had also been cut for shelter and domestic use. People pressure on the land had also reduced the ground cover in many places. The original sports oval had been built on a clay pan on the southern end of the north/south airstrip and was no longer big enough so another venue had been chosen.

Hence it was decided to include this community in the current (October 87) direct seeding program. The soils surrounding Wingellina were mostly light calcareous soils on which the buffel and birdwood grasses (Cenchrus ciliaria and C. setigerus) would grow well. The shrub and tree seed sown included old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia), witchetty bush (Acacia kempeana) and umbrella bush (Acacia ligulata). The following pictures show some good results especially on the heavier soils in the clay pan area.

Picture 1: An aerial view (Jan. 88) of the spiral made on the old sports oval and staggered furrows above the spiral and to the right of it. The direct seeding work was completed in October 87 and 5-6 mm of rain which fell in December 87 produced some germination.	Picture 2: View of the spiral in January 88. Note some of the grasses have germinated as well as volunteers of buckbush (Salsola kali), paddy melon (Cucumis myriocarpus) plus other vegetation.

Picture 3: View of the vegetation which established itself in the mound of a staggered furrow (Sept. 88). Note the small grey leafed old man saltbush growing on the top of the mound.	Picture 4: View of the vegetation which established itself in the mound of a staggered furrow (Sept. 88). Note the witchetty bush in the right foreground. The furrow near its base will collect rain water which will promote its growth.

Picture 5: View of old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) growing on a mound which is part of the spiral (June 88). Good rains have promoted the germination and growth of a large amount of vegetation. As the season dried out most of the annual vegetation hayed off and perennials like old man saltbush continued growing.	Picture 6: View of an umbrella bush (Acacia ligulate) growing on the spiral (June 88). It is obviously well established.

Picture 7: View of umbrella bush (Acacia ligulate) on the left and old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) on the right and in the back ground, 2.5 years after being direct seeded (April 90). The heavier soils are more favourable when direct seeding around communities.	Picture 8: View of a mulga tree (Acacia aneura) in shrub form growing on the spiral 2.5 years after the direct seeding work was completed. The mulga germinated from seed already present in the soil and it was found that disturbance caused by programs like direct seeding work, stimulated other seed to germinate. Note the grass cover that has been achieved on the heavier soils.

Picture 9: This is an aerial view (August 91) similar to that taken in picture one (Jan. 88). Note the difference in vegetation cover and the clump effect of old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) created by the spiral.

The soils in the Wingellina project were heavier with a little more clay content, hence more germination and permanent growth were produced in a shorter time around this community than those surrounded by soils with lighter structure. The experience gained has been very useful for planning similar projects.