Dr Leigh Sparrow, Senior Research Fellow in Soil Science, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, UTAS
will present Delving into the Soil Carbon Black Box in the Meeting Room, QVMAG at Inveresk, 2.00 pm Sunday November 24th 2013
Abstract
By virtue of its cool temperate climate, Tasmania’s soils generally have high concentrations of carbon. Intensive farming, especially frequent cropping, causes carbon concentrations to decrease. Dr Sparrow will outline the principles which govern the amount of carbon expected for any particular combination of soil, climate and farming system, and show how these apply to current Tasmanian situations. The data provide cause for concern about sustainable farming and carbon sequestration in soil, but there is also some good news.
Biography
Dr Sparrow is a Senior Research Fellow in Soil Science with the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania. With a background in soil fertility, Dr Sparrow’s early career focused on soil testing and fertiliser management, but he has also studied heavy metal contamination, irrigation management and soil-borne diseases. His recent research includes modelling and measuring changes in soil carbon in different farming systems, with the aim of assessing the capacity of the soil to sustain agriculture. Implications for carbon storage in soil have also been evaluated.
Admission: $5 General Public, $3 Friends of the Museum, $2 Students
Free for members of the Royal Society of Tasmania
To assist us with the organization of this event
RSVP by Thursday 21st November 2013:
Email bookings@qvmag.tas.gov.au or telephone 6323 3798
