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The Future

Increasing population pressures will continue to place demands on natural ecosystems and plant production strategies. For example, increasing population in the south-east region of Queensland is forcing horticulture north. In Central Queensland the horticultural industry is expanding in the Emerald irrigation area. Increased agricultural, mining (eg coal and oil shale) and industrial (eg Gladstone expansion) activites are placing pressures on the natural ecosystems of the region.

Changes in national and international policies also have profound impact on rural activities. For example the Kyoto Accord on greenhouse gas emissions has the potential to allow the development of a market in carbon rights - with the attemtant need to measure the size of possible carbon sinks (like the grazed woodlands of central Queensland).

The consumer preference of the population is also changing - from a relatively limited diet to the expectation of a year round supply of a wide range of foodstuffs, and from a focus on visual appearance only to consideration of eating quality.

We anticipate continued research on issues of plant production and conservation to be of both regional and international relevance, to strengthening the training and preparation of graduates and post-graduates to tackle these issues, and to provide long-term options for sustainable development and natural resource management.

Our vision for the future research involvment by the Centre for Plant & Water Science is encapsulated in our
Strategic Plan 2007-2011.