Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/58845
Title: Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A review
Contributor(s): Wilson, Brian R  (author)orcid ; Tulau, Mitch (author); Kuginis, Laura (author); Mcinnes-Clarke, Sally (author); Grover, Samantha (author); Milford, Humphrey (author); Jenkins, Brian R (author)
Publication Date: 2022-04
DOI: 10.1111/aec.13115
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/58845
Abstract: 

The Australian Alps contain an assemblage of soil types that is unique on the Australian continent.The above-ground ecosystems of the Australian Alps have received considerable scientific attention but research relating to the nature of its soils has been much more limited. A fuller understanding of the role of soils in these ecosystems is required to inform effective management strategies. This review was undertaken to assess existing research on soils in the Australian Alps. We aimed to summarise our current knowledge of their nature, distribu-tion and characteristics, to examine the services they provide and to assess their vulnerability to the range ofthreats that exist to the soil resource both local and external. Soils of higher elevations, namely TransitionalAlpine Humus Soils, Alpine Humus Soils and upland Peat Soils are particularly important to the ecology,hydrology and potential carbon storage of the region, yet our understanding of the nature, formation and functioning of these soil types remains weak. A series of knowledge gaps and research priorities are identified, relat-ing to basic knowledge needs on the formation, distribution and function of these soils, particularly their microbial populations and the impacts of specific threats (i.e. climate change, grazing,fire, visitors, infrastructure, feral animals and pollution).

Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Austral Ecology, 47(2), p. 166-188
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 1442-9993
1442-9985
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 4101 Climate change impacts and adaptation
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: tbd
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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