Bungonia, NSW, AUSTRALIA

Scientific Assessment by Paul Anderson BSc MSc Grad Dip of Tarwyn Park, Bylong, and Bungonia Farm 

"Bylong Valley and Bungonia: two different geographical locations, two totally different starting conditions. Peter Andrews has implemented Natural Sequence Farming and proper water management, and I’ve seen the exactly same result in both locations in less than a year - the evolution of plants, the automatic transitioning from woody pioneering weeds to beautiful grass and clover.

Relevant Conclusions from Metaanalyses of Data and Studies over 40 Years:

1. There is a substantial potential for subsurface water storage in the unconfined aquifers associated with floodplain function.  This allows several benefits to be realized.

• Water loss through evaporation is minimised
• - Irrigation is minimised
• - Landscape becomes more resilient to drought conditions
• - Temperature extremes managed through evapotranspiration
• - Soil profile maintains sufficient saturation maintain cover crop


•  2. Erosion control and rehabilitation. 
• - Surficial water can be managed through natural interceptions and contouring, encouraging sedimentation and remediation of the effects of gully erosion and topsoil loss.
• - Landscape becomes more resilient to flood conditions.
• - Landscape becomes substantially more productive."

~Paul Anderson, Hydrogeomorphologist, 20 Oct 2020

​Paul is an Environmental Geologist with a 2-decade association with Peter Andrews AOM and Natural Farming Sequence. In 1997, Paul completed his Master’s Thesis on Peter’s work, quantifying water, and soil parameters in support of Natural Farming Sequence. He has worked in other environmental and engineering projects in Government and Industry in Australia, working closely with the Murray Darling Basin Commission and NSW Dept. of Land and Water. Paul also teaches Earth and Environmental Science, Physics, and Mathematics to secondary schools in Australia. He is currently completing studies in Data Science and Big Data Analytics.

Some data...

15 August 2020

"White contours 2m topography measured as asl. Soil moisture was measured at 40 points on the paddock with an analogue sm probe. Numbers are relative sm only (1-3 dry, 4-7 moist, 7-10 saturated). Blue heatmap shows relative moisture. Any point in the 1-2 sm range is blanked in the heatmap.

T RH and DP data was measured at stn1, under a contour PA has constructed, where max sm was measured. Two data loggers were set up, one at 0.15m above ground level and the other at 2m agl. What I found interesting is how quickly after sunset, RH is 100% and DP is reached, indicating return of water to plants. I have yet to gather this data from a dry part of the paddock for comparison.
​
I also have solar radiation data from stn1 in W/m2.

​Paul Anderson BSc MSc Grad Dip

23 September 2020

"The attached soil moisture map was surveyed 23-09-2020. 123 data points were recorded.

Relative soil moisture was recorded between 1 (dry) and 10 (saturated).

As is clear from the map, NSF contours correspond with more saturated soil.

Air temperature/relative humidity measurements at the top contour demonstrate dew point threshold is achieved at sunset through to sunrise over the period of data collection.

​Measurements elsewhere in the paddock indicate this does not occur. Increased water retention in the landscape is associated with increased carbon sequestration."

Paul Anderson BSc MSc Grad Dip

The Top Paddock at Bungonia Farm:
​Before and after contour implementation

Step 1: Dig contour (on level) in compacted lifeless soils

Step 2: Pump water into the contour to prime the landscape

Result: Vegetation starts growing around the water body

The Orchard at Bungonia Farm:
Before and after contour implementation

Step 1: Dig contour (on level) in compacted lifeless soils

Step 2: Pump water into the contour to prime the landscape

Result: Vegetation starts growing around the water body

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