Walter Jehne Q&A - The link between biodiversity and rainfall

Q&A Session between Walter Jehne and Wendy Bradshaw

A recorded Q & A session with world renowned Soil Microbiologist and Climate Scientist Walter Jehne, and local farmer and environmentalist Wendy Bradshaw on the link between biodiversity and rainfall.

1.   A typical soil constraint in our broad acre agricultural area in relation to water cycle effectiveness is non-wetting soil. What are the links between carbon and hydrology?

2.    What are rainfall trends in relation to percent cover of native vegetation?

3.    What is the role of biodiversity in increasing rainfall and the effectiveness of the water cycle? I am guessing here I am asking what is the physiological process by which this happens?

4.    How much area needs to restored to have an impact on rainfall at a sub-regional scale?

5.    Can surrogate vegetation cover mimic the role that native vegetation has in maintaining rainfall? If so, what and how?

6.    What are the impacts of dust storms on rainfall?

7.    What is the link between ground cover and soil moisture?

8.    What is the soil carbon sponge and how do we build it (ie the physiological process)?

9.    What specific farming practices can be implemented to assist with building the soil carbon sponge?

This project is supported by Gillamii through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and South Coast NRM.

Publication Date: 19/11/21 Author: Gillamii and Regen WA Document Type: Youtube Video