South Australian Salt Mapping and Management Support Project ? An example of the considered application of airborne geophysics in natural resource management

Abstract

The South Australian Salinity Mapping and Management Support Project (SA-SMMSP) developed a strategy for the application of geophysics from an understanding of regional variations in landscape, hydrogeology, the scale and nature of land use and the requirements of particular communities across the state. There was a clear appreciation that airborne geophysics by itself was not likely to define salinity management strategies, rather its value lay in better defining the biophysical attributes of the landscape thereby giving greater confidence in planning and designing remedial activities. Data from a combination of airborne electromagnetic, magnetic and radiometric (magspec) systems were acquired to improve our understanding of five catchments/areas. Recognition was given to benefits of acquisition by particular systems at particular scales, given cognisance of the targets and resource needs of the decision makers. Preliminary data suggest that airborne geophysics will add value to existing regional-scaled datasets, allowing catchment planning to be based on biophysical data at more appropriate scales. Nevertheless, the economics involved remains to be determined.