Assoc.Prof. Vanessa Wong - Honours Projects

Identifying the barriers and incentives to increasing soil knowledge and land management capacity in South Pacific nations

Supervisors: Vanessa Wong  and Gigi Woods
Field of study: Geographical Science
Support offered (e.g. analytical costs, fieldwork travel): fieldwork travel): Fieldwork travel
Preferred program: Geographical Science, Environmental Science or Earth Science with preference for students who have completed EAE3321

Soil and land management expertise is required in South Pacific nations to ensure sustainable management of soils as agricultural production intensifies. However, soil and land management professionals in the region have limited opportunities for professional development and training. This project seeks to identify the drivers, incentives and barriers to increasing soil and land management expertise in the region.

How do antecedent weather conditions influence acid discharge events?

Supervisors: Vanessa Wong
Field of study: Geographical Science
Support offered (e.g. analytical costs, fieldwork travel): fieldwork travel): Fieldwork travel
Preferred program: Geographical Science, Environmental Science or Earth Science with preference for students who have completed EAE3321
The Anglesea River Estuary is subjected to severe fish kill events caused by acidic discharges from the upper catchment tributaries which are underlain by acid sulphate soils. The catchment is complex and is affected by the decommissioning of the Anglesea Brown Coal Mine, groundwater extraction by Barwon Water, the opening/closing of the estuary mouth and potential impact of climate change in increasing the frequency and magnitude of acid events
This project will look at historical records of water quality; fish kill events and link with rainfall records to identify how antecedent weather conditions affect the likelihood of an acid event.

Understanding wetland soil biogeochemistry

Supervisor: Vanessa Wong
Field of Study: Soils and land management
Support Offered: Project funds
Preferred Program: Geographical Science, Environmental Science or Earth Science with preference for students who have completed EAE3321
Coastal wetlands are important biodiversity hotspots and host to abundant bird and fish species in unique ecosystems. Coastal wetlands are also frequently underlain by acid sulphate soils, which can adversely impact on soil and water quality when water levels drop. Our understanding of acid sulphate soils in Victoria in terms of both spatial distribution and characterisation is currently limited. This project will identify the distribution and characterise acid sulphate soils in important wetlands for improved and targeted land and water management of these ecosystems.

For further information contact Vanessa Wong