More about drough, fire and floods

[AstralTraveller]

I've just read an interesting opinion piece about our understanding, or more correctly lack of understanding, of the effects of fire and floods. The author is a prof here who specialises in fluvial geomorphology, mostly of desert rivers (eg Cooper Creek and Lake Eyre), and you will see that he is pushing a barrow. However I feel that his points are valid and that our understanding of, let alone preparation for, our variable climate is hopelessly inadequate.

http://media.uow.edu.au/news/UOW094233.html

[Ric]

A very interesting article David and the professor raises some very valid points.

I know that the CSIRO has done a lot of work with bushfire studies and we rely a lot on their findings in regard to prediction and understanding.

As he say though not a lot is known about the effects on the sediment and how much is being lost.

Let's hope that in light of recent and current flooding this area will be looked into in the Royal Comissions and appropriate funds allocated for studies to be undertaken.

[strongmanmike]

Good Luck, many won't beleive the data collected anyway, if it leads to any conclusions involving costs to the consumer (or others)..after all haven't floods and fire been a "natural" part of Australias climate for ever and won't they always be? ...she be right mate :rolleyes:...besides the collection agencies will either be bias government scientists or private companies with "interests" any way...see?..can't win.

Good idea still though :thumbsup:

Mike

[KenGee]

People are funny rarely do people think things though, and their even more likely to convince themselves that despite history it will not happen to them. Why are people so bad at risk management? Why do people think that a 1 200 year flood means that if it happened 2 years ago they are going to be safe for the next 198 years? I think it's a symptom of the anti-science, anti-academic we seem to be becoming as a result of the Amerifcation of Oz. the Fox news pundit and instant expert effect.

[Alchemy]

RE is Australia washing away.... Clearly, as the oldest and flattest continent on earth, it's all washed away..... I guess the problem perhaps not really stated is the following. Removal of vegetation that holds together the soil, allows it to be washed away.

Intruiging nonetheless.

[AstralTraveller]

There was some mention of the effects of bushfires in the headwaters of major rivers on the sediment yield but, yes, anthropogenic effects weren't highlighted. I can assure you Gerald is not ignorant of the effects of European landscape change on soils and rivers. In fact several of his postgrads in the last 15 years (if not before) have studied exactly that. I can think of 2 PhDs that looked at changes in river morphology, and I think there were also a few honours projects there.

[AstralTraveller]

After I posted this a friend who works for Geoscience Australia dropped in. Starting Monday teams of scientists from GA will be visiting the flooded areas to documents the event. My mate will be in Brisbane for a week starting Friday, then back to GA for a week to write up and then to Rockhampton. The work includes doorknocking affected residences and asking the owners to let them in to view the damage. They received some training about dealing with traumatised people, but not enough I'll warrant. My mate is pretty sensitive and I think he is a bit daunted about having to intrude at a time like this. I can understand that but I think anyone can see that it is best to get the facts recorded as soon after the event as possible. They did the same thing after the Victorian bushfires.

[supernova1965]

This website shows before and after photo's of flooded area's the after photo's are activated by using the mouse from right to left


http://www.abc.net.au/news/infographics/qld-floods/beforeafter.htm