Impacts of deforestation and afforestation on greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon and water resources in the Daly River catchment, North Australia

Of Australia freshwater resource, 70% occurs in north Australia. The Daly catchment in the NT is largely an intact ecosystem but one earmarked for agricultural development. this will involve clearing of native savanna vegitation for improved pastures, with a new plantation forest industry also likely to develop. The greenhouse gas emissions from clearing events will be tracked through time and shifts in carbon and nitrogen pools examined over time since clearing. The water resource implication of deforestation and subsequent afforestation with potentially high water using, exotic tree species will also be assessed. Data produced will enable calibration of modeling tools for these land systems to develop sustainable production systems.