Long-term dedication by many people is building our understanding of impact of change in fragile alpine ecosystems.
During the final week of September 2024, members of Australia’s alpine research community gathered for three days in Hobart, Tasmania, for the annual meeting of the Australian Institute of Alpine Studies (AIAS), a network of researchers from all disciplines committed to research in Australia’s high country.
The first day consisted of a visit to the TERN-supported field site of the Australian Mountain Research Facility (AMRF) at Silver Plains. AMRF is supported by TERN to provide a structure for integrated research, collaborative research infrastructure and management of Australia’s mountain ecosystems.
Location of TERN-Australian Mountain Research Facility (AMRF) sites, including Silver Plains in Tasmania
The TERN-AMRF Silver Plains site is located on Tasmanian Land Conservancy property in the central highlands of Tasmania. In attendance were more than 20 researchers, including students, academics, and technical staff, all of whom are actively undertaking research at sites with TERN-supported research infrastructure across the AMRF network.
Researchers at the AMRF site at Silver Plains, Tasmania, in front of a series of observation plots being used to understand fine-scale vegetative change within Tasmania’s sub-alpine grasslands
At Silver Plains, attendees saw and discussed the studies underway there. These include quantifying environmental carbon fluxes, ongoing monitoring of fine-scale vegetative change, and collaborative work between the Tasmanian Land Conservancy and researchers to understand and improve the site’s hydrology to preserve ecosystem function.
AMRF eddy covariance flux tower, providing high frequency data to quantify carbon, water, and energy fluxes
After the site tour, the group reflected on the strengths and future directions of the AMRF. Participants discussed a wide range of fresh ideas to continue to improve the scalability, repeatability, and relevance of AMRF data to ensure that it delivers good value to researchers across Australia and the globe.
The AIAS field trip to the subalpine heathlands of Mount Field National Park provided an opportunity to showcase the dizzying array of Tasmania’s endemic flora, from snow-covered pandani (Richea pandanifolia) to towering stands of mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans).
Many plants endemic to Tasmania’s highlands, such as Richea scoparia (pictured), exhibit red colouration in winter to protect themselves from sun damage when temperatures are too cold for photosynthesis
The 2024 Australian Institute of Alpine Studies symposium included 26 speakers presenting on research involving alpine flora and fauna, soils, hydrogeology, and conservation with more than 50 AIAS members in attendance
The interconnected nature of all environmental science disciplines is demonstrated at meetings such as that of the Australian alpine community and underscores the value of focussed research networks like the AIAS and TERN-AMRF to catalyse novel transdisciplinary and cooperative research.
Story and photos contributed by Nathan Battey from the TERN-AMRF team at Australian National University, Canberra
