The great Australian drought

The development of drought over eastern Australia from April 1982 to February 1983 is described. National wheat production for the 1982-1983 season was 63 per cent of the average for the previous five years, while for New South Wales and Victoria production was 29 and 16 per cent respectively. Production of other grains was similarly reduced. Net value of rural production was reduced from over $4,000 million to $2,300 million nationally, the percentage reduction being much larger in drought-affected States. Methods of assessing drought severity are discussed and it is concluded that the 1982-1983 drought must be regarded as one of the most severe in the last 100 years. Impact of drought is also discussed, including that on wheat production and sheep and cattle populations since 1885. It is suggested that the limits of grain growing areas, and of sheep and cattle populations, beyond which environmental degradation may occur, have been exceeded during that period. The view is expressed that more attention should be given to the development of strategies to ameliorate drought impacts

Forensic engineering · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Occupational safety and health · Pathology · Poison control · Climate change impacts on agriculture · Engineering · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Hydrology and Drought Analysis · Medicine · Pasture and Agricultural Systems

• A Note on Tree Deaths during the Current (2001–?) Drought in South-eastern Australia

  Bill Semple, Madeleine Rankin et al.•Australian Geographer•2010

  Add to list

• Mankind at the Turning Point

  G M, Mijajlo Mesarovic et al.•Population and Development Review•1975

  Add to list

• The 1975-76 Drought in England and Wales in Perspective

  Open Access•Elizabeth M Shaw•Disasters•1979

  Add to list