This section is designed to identify areas of current and further research based on the headings used in the main part of this chapter. The driving goal in identifying this research is that it should help producers and their advisors with the management of native vegetation on their properties – whether it be for productive use, the provision of ecosystem services or the conservation of native vegetation. In some cases research that has already been undertaken would be made more accessible to producers if it was translated into a user-friendly form and written in plain English.

When designing further research on native vegetation on farms, two approaches that have been used successfully previously should be considered. Firstly, participatory research – where producers work with scientists to identify the research question, design and have ongoing oversight of the project – is likely to have more value. Secondly, producer-initiated research and development (PIRDs), where producers undertake research on their own properties, could raise considerable interest and awareness of the potential value of native vegetation at the property level.

Monitoring the impact of management actions is part of learning from what you’ve done and adjusting the way you do things. Very few people – whether they be producers, scientists or management agencies – find monitoring that exciting. Research into how to make monitoring exciting and interesting, for a minimum input of time and money, would therefore be much appreciated! Monitoring techniques that are developed also need to fit as closely as possible into activities that producers already undertake. Research on where monitoring has led to better management outcomes should also help convince people that it’s a worthwhile thing to do.