The LDC Project has been in an implementation phase for 4 years now and there are valuable learnings that have been documented and where possible , acted upon , to date . For example , the experiences of the Landscape Remediation Activity Area were highlighted in a mid-way report prepared by the Landscape Remediation Officer , Matthew Miles in February 2019 ( Miles , 2019 ; and summarised in the Year 2 Performance Report ) and influenced the implementation of the project that followed . A wide range of other valuable learnings from project delivery and implementation have been gained through the LDC Project which are relevant to the other findings in this report , and collectively , provide a strong basis for recommendations for future implementation included in Section 7 . These are summarised below and grouped into topics particularly relevant to project delivery and implementation .
• Monitored water quality from in field projects can be costly and geographically challenging . Selecting a few sites and doing them well appears to be more beneficial than attempting to monitor a great number of sites with incomplete data . Collecting monitoring data is only one part of the requirements , ensuring that the skills and resources to analyse , report and provide feedback to relevant stakeholders is vital in capturing evaluation and learning outcomes .
• Consistency is required in how gully sediment reduction estimates are derived for larger scale gullies so that cost effectiveness comparisons can be made within and between projects . Gully sediment reduction estimates from larger sites are generally assessed using the Gully Toolbox and / or engineered estimates . There is variation between the two methods and this difference can be of significant magnitude for valid reasons ( for example due to estimates around gully growth rates and gully life cycle ). High , low , and medium estimates are also shared by engineers on occasion depending on sensitivities in the estimates .
• There are low levels of confidence among project implementation staff and landholders in relation to the tools available for calculating sediment reduction estimates from grazing land management practices . Improvements in communication and two-way data sharing between stakeholders at all scales from modelling through to on ground paddock scale change with landholders , is supporting progress towards greater confidence in the tools . Greater clarity of the methods and transparency of the process are recommended to continue to build this trust and alignment in approach . Continued engagement between the research teams and landholders is recommended .
• Landholders are very interested in the results of direct and indirect water quality monitoring undertaken on their properties and in their catchments . Closing the feedback loops and ensuring landholders are provided opportunities to receive results and ask questions has assisted the LDC Project implementation team in building trust in the program . For example , the BBB Community have regularly raised the importance of treating and linking the catchment area above gullies to the gully remediation efforts in a holistic approach which is now supported by the monitoring results , thereby building further respect of the project .
• Given the variation between the land condition improvement and sediment reduction results between the five gully remediation sites yielded quite , clear communication of this variability and explanation of the differences ( where possible ) will be important to build trust and demonstrate transparency . Patchkey ( Abbott and Corfield , 2012 ), is a useful method for measuring and detecting early indicators of land condition and was applied at several sites in the LDC Project . However , the method requires consistent annual monitoring over long timeframes to fully evaluate an outcome (> 10 years / beyond most funding cycles ). Access to trained personnel with these skills in the BBB is limited . Internal training has enabled the LDC Project to continue Patchkey assessments on legacy
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