Fighting Drought with Natural Sequence Farming: A Solution for Canberra’s Water Crisis
Australia’s chronic droughts have left vast landscapes dry, but in the region surrounding Canberra, a revolutionary approach called Natural Sequence Farming (NSF) is showing how nature can be used to heal itself and mitigate the impacts of water scarcity. Developed by Peter Andrews, NSF focuses on restoring the natural water flow of landscapes to improve soil health, increase water retention, and rejuvenate ecosystems.
Drought and Water Scarcity in Canberra
Canberra, like much of Australia, has been severely impacted by prolonged droughts. Water scarcity is a pressing issue for farmers and the environment alike, and traditional agricultural methods often exacerbate the problem. Monoculture farming and poor water management practices have led to soil degradation and the depletion of vital water resources. The landscape’s natural ability to absorb and retain water has been disrupted, leading to the loss of biodiversity and agricultural productivity.
The Solution: Natural Sequence Farming (NSF)
NSF is based on the concept of recreating natural water systems to restore water flow across the landscape. Peter Andrews’ approach involves slowing down water movement by using structures like “leaky weirs” — small barriers made from rocks, fallen trees, and other natural debris placed across creeks. These weirs don’t block the water but instead force it to spread across floodplains and seep into the surrounding soil, rehydrating the land and replenishing groundwater supplies.
Rather than fighting against natural processes, NSF embraces them, focusing on restoring the natural flow of water through the landscape. The leaky weirs help slow the water’s movement, allowing it to be absorbed into the soil rather than running off, taking nutrients with it. This helps prevent erosion, enriches the soil, and increases moisture retention during dry periods. The Mulloon Creek, located near Canberra, is one of the areas where NSF has been implemented successfully, showing that these methods can help sustain ecosystems even in the worst of droughts.
How NSF Works
At its core, NSF focuses on mimicking natural systems and processes to rehydrate the land, restore soil health, and foster biodiversity. The practice includes the following key principles:
- Water Management: One of the central features of NSF is the restoration of natural water cycles. This is achieved by using leaky weirs, which slow down the flow of water in creeks and rivers, allowing water to seep into the landscape instead of running off. The goal is to recharge the floodplains, reintroducing water to the surrounding soil to support plant life and create more resilient landscapes during droughts.
- Soil Health and Organic Matter: NSF emphasizes building soil fertility by encouraging natural vegetation to thrive. This can involve introducing native plants or encouraging self-regeneration of the landscape. By restoring organic matter and fostering biological activity (such as fungi, bacteria, and earthworms), NSF improves soil structure and its ability to retain water, reducing erosion and increasing productivity.
- Ecosystem Balance: Another key component is restoring the biological diversity of the landscape. By allowing natural vegetation to grow and self-manage, NSF creates environments that support wildlife. The approach also promotes the idea of “working with nature,” not just in terms of water but also in managing grazing and vegetation cover to promote biodiversity and ecosystem stability
- Floodplain and Stream Restoration: NSF techniques like grade control structures (rock chutes, for example) are used to prevent stream incisions and promote floodplain rehydration. This helps recreate the wetland conditions that were historically present, benefiting both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
The Impact: Resilience Amid Drought
The impact of NSF has been evident in areas like Mulloon Creek, where the land remains green and productive despite prolonged droughts. While traditional farming methods might leave the land barren during dry spells, NSF ensures that water is retained and that the soil supports life. In fact, farmers in the area have reported seeing increased biodiversity, healthier crops, and improved soil moisture retention.
NSF is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it offers a sustainable way forward for drought-prone areas in Australia, particularly around Canberra, where the system has already been successfully implemented. The Mulloon Institute, dedicated to furthering this approach, has also been working with local governments and researchers to demonstrate the effectiveness of NSF on a broader scale.
Expanding the Reach of NSF
While still a relatively new approach, NSF has the potential to be replicated across Australia, especially in areas suffering from the worst effects of drought. With increasing interest from both farmers and government bodies, there is hope that the method will be more widely adopted. Government investment and research into NSF’s long-term effectiveness are key to its future, and there is optimism that the approach will gain more recognition as a viable solution to water scarcity
