LET’S HOPE FOR INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY
A careful examination of historical records shows since European influence in Australia reveals a very clear message. Plants had evolved a pattern that mixed water to reduce the erosive energies and that plants managed vital function of water and fertility (life supporting compounds)
The sheep and cattle were herded in large numbers after which the productivity declined within 30 years. Many plants, vital to the maintenance of landscape functions, were eaten out by the introduced animals.
The European drainage mentality meant that shepherds and farmers, drains in the wet cycles. These drains subsequently drained every time it rained and eroded massively within the next 30 years.
In the Australian landscape and in the water movements, plants grew in drains, converting drainage water to filtered water!
Plants gather their nutrients via the water transport system (the drainage water powered by gravity and filtered by plant roots, and the plant systemic systems powered by sunlight)
I observed the clinical evidence of drainage whilst on a world trip in 1966. Professor Willhelm Ripl and his team have accumulated proof and measurements proving serious damage effects at drainage causes.
Mr Haki Tani, while Chief planner for the Murray Darling, described the Australian landscape as “a stepped de-fusion system of broad acre hydroponics!”
The liquid fertility was recovered by plants when gravity moved water through the drainage system, where they grew very vigorously!
In 1980, the whole of the very volatile catchment water flow of (The Bylong Creek), demonstrated the efficiencies of the Australian landscape in the way it could support a diverse agricultural enterprise (Tarwyn Park)! An inspection day was arranged and attended by people whose responsibility it was to administer in the interest of the Australian people.
The manager of the Central West Soil Conservation and Agricultural Services, Mr McArthy said after that inspection “I can see
something is happening here, but nothing will change whilst I am in charge”!!!
A dedicated Australian Mr John Crow, who had arranged the gathering said in horror ‘But farmers are shooting themselves!” and Mr McArthy replied “I do not have any people who could teach this, so I would have to train them, and I have just finished producing a new set of manuals which would need to be redone. I will retire in 5 years and it will be still be alright then!”
Subsequently a campaign was waged to prevent what was now recognised in all Australian landscapes, being promoted. To my horror and disappointment, many very good Australians employed by the tax payer were demoted, transferred or retired if they promoted these essential functions.
It is obvious mistakes have been made, the likes of Bill Clinton and Angela Merkel (German Chancellor) made monumental mistakes, admitted them and were accepted for their honesty.
It will be even more likely to be forgiven if the case is for a sustainable future.
It should be noted any leaders (such as Gaddafi, Saddam Hussein, Milosevic, Bin Laden et al, would not recognise their monumental mistakes and were declared criminals against society.
Peter
Nov 18 2011