Arbon - Tooligie - Human Induced Regeneration

Arbon - Tooligie - Human Induced Regeneration is a carbon farming project located in the locality of Tooligie on the Eyre Peninsula, approximately 84km north of Port Lincoln, South Australia. Registered in December 2013, the project currently covers an area of 6,211 hectares. The region is predominantly agricultural, known for mixed farming operations including cereal cropping (wheat, barley) and sheep grazing.

The project operates under the Human-Induced Regeneration (HIR) methodology. This method involves regenerating native forests by permanently ceasing activities that suppress vegetation growth, such as mechanical clearing or uncontrolled grazing. Instead of planting new trees, the project relies on the germination of in-situ seed sources and the regrowth of existing rootstock and lignotubers.

Tooligie is situated in a semi-arid to Mediterranean climate zone with an average annual rainfall of approximately 350-400mm. The landscape is characterized by undulating plains with calcrete ridges. The soil types are primarily Calcarosols, which consist of calcareous sandy loams or clay loams sitting over a hard calcrete layer. These soils are typical of the Eyre Peninsula and are often stony or sandy, requiring careful management to prevent wind erosion.

A notable aspect of this project is its history as one of the earliest HIR projects registered in Australia. Originally established by Andrew and Debra Arbon, the project proponent was transferred to Terra Carbon Pty Limited in 2015. Academic analysis has highlighted this project as a successful example of the methodology, noting a significant increase in tree cover within its carbon estimation areas since inception.