The level of population that can be supported by Australian ecosystems is dependent on how well modern agriculture works within the boundaries set by soil productivity and climate variability – scientist, author, ecologist and evolutionist Dr Timothy Flannery.

A nation that destroys its soil destroys itself – F.D. Roosevelt 1937.

With world agricultural markets scared by an era of land degradation, diminishing water quality, increasingly fragile ecosystems, and continuing pesticide use, Australian primary industries are poised to lead the way into the “clean and green” age.

Agriculture and the Environmental Imperative is the first book to bring together the science behind environmental issues facing Australia today. It also lays the foundations of how Australia is handling these issues as we prepare for the new millennium.

Edited by the Charles Sturt University Dean of the Science and Agriculture Faculty, Professor Jim Pratley, and Professor of Environmental Science Alistar Robertson, the book was written by a team of scientists and published by CSIRO.

Each chapter and issue was addressed by a noted expert in the field, targeting areas such as: integrating conservation and agricultural production; water quality and quantity; soil salinity, acidification and structure decline; pesticides; natural resource policy; and farm and ecosystem management.

The first paper, titled The Australian Ecosystem, was written by research scientist and head of the Australian Museum Department of Mammalogy, author (of The Future Eaters fame), animal ecologist and evolutionist, Timothy Flannery. Most other chapters were written by CSU agricultural scientists, researchers and lecturers.

Written to appeal to a wide audience, Professor Pratley said the book’s aim ranged from the agricultural and environmental industries, to tertiary and secondary students, and farmers who were interested in environmental management as a priority.

“It’s a must for everyone interested in agriculture and the environment,” he said. “We wanted to bring together the science behind the issues, because a lot of people spout theories, proposals and notions about the problems facing Australian agricultural industries and the environment, without knowing the full impact, or having definitive references to consult.”

In the foreword written by Chief Scientist Professor John Stocker, he said the papers gathered in this publication showed that agricultural development in Australia has led to serious land degradation, loss of water quality and declining biodiversity.

“These problems present demanding challenges but they also provide us with a unique opportunity,” he said. “If Australia is able to develop the knowledge and expertise to address them, the export potential of this knowledge would be enormous.”

“Australia’s agricultural products are positioned in world markets as being ‘clean and green'. It is imperative that Australia builds on this image and backs up the promotion with workable programs which achieve results,” Professor Stocker said.

“Detailed analysis must address the allocation of risk between agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. The papers presented in this monograph reinforce the Environmental Imperative that must mould agricultural practice in the new millennium.”