project period ( 2017-2021 ). The findings from other components of the LDC Project including social and engagement outcomes are presented in separate reports with a synthesis of outcomes currently in preparation .
It is worth noting that due to project timeframes , substantial water quality outcomes are unlikely to be demonstrated during the relatively short implementation period of the LDC Project (< 4 years ), and that a more appropriate focus is learning how the LDC model can contribute to tailoring more efficient on-ground actions and improving GBR programs overall . This latter objective is part of a broader undertaking for the LDC Project and outside the scope of this report , which is largely focused on the water quality outcomes . As strongly identified in the Design Phase , these anticipated performance outcomes need to be carefully communicated to a wide audience .
Despite these limitations , monitoring and evaluation activities in the LDC Project have demonstrated valuable water quality improvements to date .
For context in reporting LDC Project ’ s water quality outcomes , there were 95 on-ground water quality practice activities completed through 84 landholder contracts on 51 unique properties ( Appendix 1 provides further information on the types of practice change and incentives offered through the LDC Project and Section 4.1 describes the categories of projects used throughout this report ). Of these , 36 % were grazing land management ( fencing , water and revegetation management ), 30 % were specific Grader Projects ( offered as an initial incentive for engagement ), 22 % were gully management , and 12 % were streambank and site erosion control . These activities covered a total area of 65,000 hectares . A majority ( 59 %) of the implementation area was grazing land management projects , with less than ( 18 %) of the total project area involving gully , streambank remediation or direct erosion control activities .
The key findings of the LDC Project at the formal completion in 2021 are described below .
KEQ : To what extent has the LDC Project contributed to improved pollutant loads ?
Q1 : What are the long-term measured pollutant reductions at a property level in outputs of sediment and particulate nutrients in response to actions initiated under the MIPs ?
Estimation methods were developed to provide an indication of project specific fine sediment reductions using the pollutant reduction component of the Alluvium investment tool developed for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation Reef Trust Partnership investment pathways project ( see Section 4.2 ).
Using this method , it is estimated that projects completed in the LDC Project have contributed an accumulative estimated fine sediment reduction of 10,600 tonnes per year reaching the GBR . Of this , approximately half ( 48 %) of the sediment savings are attributable to grazing land management changes on hillslopes and streambanks , whilst the other half ( 52 %) as a result of gully remediation treatments ( and their catchments ) ( over only 3 % of the total project area ). These estimates are underpinned by a range of assumptions and should not be used without qualification ; rather the results are indicative of the proportional changes possible based on the mix of treatments applied . The confidence with how these treatments are represented in the Alluvium investment tool / model vary considerably between erosion processes ( gully versus hillslope ) and treatment types . The results do , however , provide enough detail to provide useful estimates of the expected impact of individual projects , the range of suitable projects and inform investment decisions for future phases of the LDC Project .
This report also contains a sub catchment summary of predicted fine sediment reductions as a result of completed projects .
Q2 : What are the predicted ( modelled ) water quality outcomes at the basin / catchment level , and how do these compare to Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan pollutant load reduction targets ?
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