Distribution, nature and threats to soils of the Australian Alps: A review

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, distribution and characteristics, to examine the services they provide and to assess their vulnerability to the range of threats that exist to the soil resource both local and external. Soils of higher elevations, namely Transitional Alpine 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, relating 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).

A Before‐After Control‐Impact experiment reveals that culling reduces the impacts of invasive deer on endangered peatlands

“…Chollet et al, 2016; Rupprecht et al, 2022), with mechanical impacts such as trampling and pugging relatively neglected. Mechanical impacts can have long lasting or even irreversible consequences (Wilson et al, 2022). Ten years of aerial deer culling reduced the amount of bare ground in one of four grassland habitats in New Zealand (Rose & Platt, 1987) and, after 2 years of excluding deer with fences, soil compaction in a forest in United States was reduced (Shelton et al, 2014).…”

Tracking ecosystem decline in an uncertain and changing alpine landscape

“…Rundel & Millar, 2016). Soils are highly variable (Wilson et al., 2022) and in some instances extensive rock fields have been colonized (e.g. by some feldmark variants).…”

“…Replacement by taller herb/graminoids or shrub species from adjacent or lower elevation communities has been broadly predicted and in some instances already observed (Kullman, 2010; Rumpf et al., 2018; Verrall et al., 2023). However, a range of factors such as the dispersal capacity of species (Li et al., 2016; Morgan & Venn, 2017; Yu et al., 2017) and soil/substrate suitability (Wilson et al., 2022) will drive variation in this effect. Actions to mitigate climate impacts or local disturbance likely require benchmarks that account for this variability.…”