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The Australian Alternative Covers Assessment Program Plant / Soil Behaviour and Interactions. Jason Ellerton Griffith University Supervisors: Assoc Prof Hossein Ghadiri Assoc Prof Margaret Greenway Dr Sam Yuen. Proposed Objectives.
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The Australian Alternative Covers Assessment Program Plant / Soil Behaviour and Interactions Jason EllertonGriffith University Supervisors:Assoc Prof Hossein Ghadiri Assoc Prof Margaret Greenway Dr Sam Yuen A-ACAP
Proposed Objectives • Impact of physical, mechanical and chemical characteristics of the cover materials on: • Plant growth • Root system development • Water uptake • Establish suitability of selected plants for use on phytocaps • Performance • Survivability (thrive vs survive) • Sustainability (garden vs self sustaining ecosystem) A-ACAP
Proposed Objectives (cont.) • Compare root/shoot development across sites • Soil types • Climate variation • Assess changes in soils due to plant development • Structure • Bulk density • Soil hydraulic properties • Develop / modify a model to predict system performance • Aid landfill operators A-ACAP
Townsville Lismore Cockburn McLaren Vale Lyndhurst Locations A-ACAP
Plants and Soils • Australian natives • Mix of trees, shrubs and grasses • Attempt to mimic natural ecology • Indigenous to location (Lismore) • Local soils • Sourced locally • No special treatment A-ACAP
Potential problems • Harsh climate for young plants • Drought • Wind • Pests • Weeds • Insects • Rabbits • People • Rooting depth • Landfill gas A-ACAP
Summary • Suitability of Australian plants for the purpose of phytocaps • Compare root/shoot development across the sites • Assess changes in soils over time • Model the system for future use A-ACAP