Modelling Fertiliser Use in the
Glenelg Hopkins
Catchment
A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree of Master of Applied Science
Julia Emily Schlapp
School of Mathematics and Geospatial Science
RMIT University
September 2008
ii
Declaration of Originality
Except where otherwise stated, this thesis is my own work. This thesis has not previously
been submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education.
Parts of chapters 6, 7 and 8 have been published in the proceedings of the International
Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM), held in Christchurch, New Zealand
in 2007.
Signed: Date:
Certification
This is to certify that the above statements made by the candidate are correct to the best of
our knowledge.
Signed: Date:
iii
This thesis is based on research undertaken by a team of researchers from RMIT University
under the supervision of Dr Sergei Schreider: The team consists of Prof. Panlop Zeephongsekul;
Dr Afshin Alizadeh Shabani; Mr Matthew Fernandes and Ms Julia Schlapp across several
disciplines including mathematics, geospatial sciences and agricultural science.
The thesis contains a description of the work undertaken by myself as part of the team and the
application and the relevance that the results have had on the game theory model developed by
Dr Schreider, Prof Zeephongsekul and Mr Fernandes.
iv
Acknowledgements
I wish to express my gratitude to all those who have made it possible for me to complete this
thesis. I am deeply indebted to my supervisors, Dr Sergei Schreider and Dr David Fraser whose
suggestions helped me through the research and writing of this thesis. I have benefited greatly
from the numerous discussions over the course of my study and from the guidance they have
offered.
I would also like to thank Matthew Fernandes for his patient help in interpretation of the Game
theory equations and Dr Afshin Alizadeh for his help with access to the base GIS information
layers and programming.
A special thank you should go to the farmers of the Glenthompson Bestwool/ Best Lamb Group,
the Southern Farming Systems, the Mustons Creek Landcare Group and the Environmental Best
Management Program group who took the time to participate in the project.
I would also like to thank Jessica Dunn, Annika Alexander and Melissa Collet for proof reading
and advice with editing.
I am very grateful to Kaye Scholfield, Cathy Wagg, Shelagh Krummel, Paul Collet and the
RMIT University team at Hamilton for their support, friendship and advice at times of need.
Financial support for the project has been supplied by the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment
Management Authority and my thanks go to Kevin Wood, Mary Johnson and Don Arnold.
I feel especially indebted to my husband, Richard Alexander for his patience, support and
understanding, and to our children, Annika and Sylvia for being there when I needed
encouragement.
v
Abbreviations
:
BGA Blue-Green Algae
BMP Best Management Practice
CALP Catchment and Land Protection
CFA Country Fire Authority
CMA Catchment Management Authority
DPI Department of Primary Industries
DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment
d.s.e Dry Sheep Equivalent
EBMP Environmental Best Management Practice
EPA Environment Protection Authority, Victoria
FIFA Fertiliser Industry Federation of Australia
FNLI Farm Nutrient Loss Index
GA Greening Australia
GHCMA Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority
GHNMP Glenelg-Hopkins Nutrient Management Plan
GIS Geographic Information System
DAP Di Ammonium Phosphate
MAP Mono Ammonium Phosphate
P Phosphorus
PBI Phosphorus Buffering Index – dependent on soil type
PP Particulate Phosphorus
SEPP State Environment Protection Policy
SOA Sulphate of Ammonia
SWFMP South West Farm Monitor Project
TP Total Phosphorus
VWQMN Victorian Water Quality Monitoring Network
WFP Whole Farm Plan
