Future Landscapes - Central Highlands of Victoria
Future Landscapes is a climate change adaptation project that will help Councils from the Central Highlands region of Victoria, better understand the impacts of projected climate change on the region’s natural assets and respond effectively to protect and improve agriculture and natural resources across the region.
Based in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Future Landscapes is a collaborative partnership between the Hepburn Shire Council, Golden Plains Shire, Moorabool Council, Pyrenees Shire Council, City of Ballarat and Cultivate Agribusiness Central Highlands Inc.
The Future Landscapes research findings have provided a unique insight into the opportunities for agriculture, biodiversity and land use planning for the Central Highlands Region. The project provides an indication of the predicted climate variations that will be experienced across the over the next fifty years and highlights where the region can capitalise on potential future agricultural production while planning for land use and the protection of biodiversity assets.
In summary, the analysis indicated that:
- the Central Highlands region has a biophysical environment (climate, soil and topography) that is highly suited to sustaining a productive agricultural sector.
- the extent of native ecosystems continues to decline throughout the region, primarily due to clearance for other land use activities. This will be exacerbated by climate change, and key strategies for biodiversity protection include protection of remnant native ecosystems, enhancing habitat resources within the existing ecosystems and revegetation in strategic areas.
- the Central Highlands region has a biophysical environment (climate, soil and topography) that is highly suited to sustaining a productive agricultural sector.
For more information on Future Landscapes visit https://futurelandscapes.cultivate.org.au/
