The spectacular and distinctive Australian Alps extend over 1.6 million hectares of public land contained in eleven national parks and nature reserves across Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The high altitude peaks and plateaus, glacial lakes and alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems of the Australian Alps are rare in our mostly flat, dry and hot continent (which has an average elevation of only 330 metres above sea level). The place contains a wide range of mountain environments and plant communities, from tall, wet, fern-filled forests to snowgum woodlands and open expanses of alpine meadows, dotted in summer and autumn with colourful wildflowers. It also contains landforms created by glaciers, remarkable fish fossils and unique cold climate adapted plants and animals. Containing the highest peaks in mainland Australia, the alps are of outstanding landscape value and are important in the pattern of Australia’s natural history. The Kosciuszko Plateau includes the most striking examples on the Australian mainland of landforms created by glaciers. The remarkable Mt Howitt fish fossils demonstrate all life stages from larvae to mature fish. The alps are also home to unique cold climate adapted plants and animals—from alpine daisies to snow gums, and from mountain pygmy possums to migratory Bogong moths. Due to their high peaks and seasonal snow, the Australian Alps strongly influence the hydrology of eastern Australia. The alps contribute significant quantities of snow melt to the river systems of eastern Australia, and the water retention properties of the bog and fen communities in the area play an integral role in regulating water flow to river systems. Past Aboriginal social gatherings based on moth feasting were unique to the alps. The adult insect—the Bogong moth—was the basis for large-scale annual gatherings of different Aboriginal groups for ceremonies.
Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Australian Heritage Database - Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves, The Alpine Way, Thredbo Village ,NSW, Australia
During the late Quaternary Period and into the present; the high altitude; cold climate environment has provided refuge for species in an increasingly arid climate.
The high peaks and plateaus of the AANP support a rich and unique assemblage of cold climate specialist plant and animal species that have evolved unique physiological characteristics; enabling them to survive in an environment subject to extreme climate variation.
During the late Quaternary and into the present; the high altitude; cold climate environment has provided refuge for species in an increasingly arid climate.
However; extreme climate fluctuations and changing fire regimes throughout the Quaternary probably resulted in major changes in the distribution and composition of the flora (Kershaw et al. 1986 in Busby 1990 Coyne 2000).
There is a range of research currently underway on climate change and its impacts on the high altitude ecosystems of the AANP.
This includes the monitoring of snowpatches as a useful single index of climate change monitoring of the extent of vegetation retreat or change participation in the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) an international effort studying sites on an altitudinal transect with vegetation plots and temperature loggers studies of invertebrates on snow melt gradients studies of alpine lakes involving coring of lake ice depth; establishing the ice break up date and snow algae and associated diatoms studies of treelines which are already moving into the sub alpine treeless valleys in both Victoria and New South Wales and studies looking at the phenology of flowering in the alpine zone (K Green pers. comm. 5 April 2008).
During these climate cycles; Australian landscapes were increasingly subject to cold aridity or ‘dust ages’ rather than ice ages; as Australia drifted northward into drier climates (Bowler 1978 Bowler 1982).
Today; the condition of natural and cultural National Heritage values is influenced by a range of land uses within the boundary; such as recreation activities in summer and winter seasons; feral species and extreme weather such as bushfires and floods; as well as by the broader incidence of global climate change (DEC 2006 AALC 2006b).
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Australian Government, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette - Australian Alps National Park sand Reserves:
During the late Quaternary and into the present; the high altitude; cold climate environment has provided refuge for species in an increasingly arid climate.
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NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Brindabella National Park and State Conservation Area
Climate change has been listed as a key threatening process under the TSC Act.
Projections of future changes in climate for NSW include higher temperatures; increasing sea levels and water temperatures; elevated CO2; more intense but possibly reduced annual average rainfall; increased temperature extremes and higher evaporation.
Climate change may significantly affect biodiversity by changing population size and distribution of species; modifying species composition; and altering the geographical extent of habitats and ecosystems.
Programs to reduce pressures arising from such threats will help reduce the severity of the effects of climate change.
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Parks Victoria, Greater Alpine National Parks Management Plan August 2016
Continuous incremental adjustment of the type and location of facilities is needed in order to respond to the impacts of climate change such as more frequent or severe fires and storms; renew ageing facilities and improve those that match visitor patterns and requirements and to modify or remove those that are no longer serving visitor requirements either for popular activities or more specialised activities.
All Work in partnership with Shires and the tourism industry in managing and communicating tourism disruptions from increasing flood; storm and fire impacts from climate change.
risks to natural values (via e.g. pest plants and animals changed fire regimes climate change recreational activities) are mitigated appropriate activities within the parks are provided for.
In Victoria; increasing population; river regulation; a changing climate and other large and small scale changes have produced weeds; pests and other disturbances in parks.
Protecting the environment is a fundamental priority throughout the plan descriptions and goals expanded for the five broad natural ecosystems and priority strategies highlighted including for climate change.
Acting now to reduce the establishment and spread of pest plant and animal species in these areas will help reduce the increased risk anticipated to come with climate change.
Preserving biodiversity ‘as is’ may have been feasible in a stationary climate (one that is variable but not changing); but this will not be possible with the widespread; pervasive and large ecological changes anticipated under significant levels of climate change.
Climate change is likely to exacerbate many of these threats and has the potential to fundamentally change the parameters of ecosystems and viability of species.
Managing for climate change The parks are already facing challenges from a changing climate.
Both the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments recognise the serious threats posed by climate change.
Climate change is increasing bushfire risk and lengthening the average fire season in Victoria and projections indicate that Victoria is likely to have up to 70 more Severe; Extreme and Code Red days by 2050 (DELWP 2015a).
Climate change is likely to alter the attributes and availability of habitats; and magnify loss of habitat such hollow bearing trees and existing threats including fragmentation and spread of invasive species (DELWP 2015a).
Climate change will alter the way people use the parks.
Identify and protect areas that can act as climate change refugia. 6.
This natural ecosystem is considered particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change the relatively low height of the Australian Alps compared with most mountain areas of the world means that species have little opportunity to migrate to higher altitudes; there is potential for invasive species and native herbivores kangaroos and wallabies; which are currently absent from alpine areas to extend uphill and there is limited knowledge about alpine species ability to adapt.
Loss in extent of threatened alpine and subalpine wetlands due to climate change is minimised.
Continue to build resilience of the ecosystem to climate change.
Continue to build resilience of the ecosystem to climate change.
This natural ecosystem is also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change with the predicted increases in bushfire frequency and severity.
Continue to build resilience of the ecosystem to climate change.
Continue to build resilience of the ecosystem to climate change.
Continue to build resilience of the ecosystem to climate change.
Continue to build resilience of the ecosystem to climate change.
Continue to build resilience of the ecosystem to climate change.
Continue to build resilience of the ecosystem to climate change.
Snowy River NP Work with DELWP to use planned burning frequency to protect habitat and maintain ecosystem resilience to climate change.
The future condition of catchments is likely to be impacted by higher temperatures due to climate change and expected changes in the quantity and timing of snow and rainfall.
Building resilience of catchments to climate change requires reducing the threats of most concern to the catchments in the parks invasive weeds; the impacts of increasing feral animals; especially feral horse and deer; inappropriate fire regimes and fire suppression; which are addressed in sections 4.1 and chapter 5.
Continue to build resilience of the catchments to climate change.
Alpine and subalpine areas All Improve understanding of the effects of climate change; particularly on the timing and magnitude of snowmelt.
Geological features can be affected by erosion and vegetation loss; which are expected to be exacerbated by climate change; inappropriate activities and fire.
Climate change is increasing bushfire risk; and lengthening the average fire season and is likely to exacerbate these challenges with hotter and drier conditions and other expected changes (Lucas et al. 2007 Dunlop Brown 2008).
Fire weather is increasingly being recognised as the prime contributor to fire in the landscape and severe fire weather is predicted to increase under climate change (Price et al. 2015). a The Bogong Moth is a culturally significant species for Traditional Owners. 6 Cultural heritage The parks’ endowment of special Aboriginal places; travel routes and stories is recognised and appreciated.
Parks are not isolated from landscape wide changes in fire regimes; weed and pest invasions; and development.
Changes in ecosystem resilience including trend in proportion of ecosystems within desired tolerable fire intervals and trend in proportion of ecosystems within desirable range of growth stages All Changes in residual risk All Cultural heritage The park goals aim to recognise and respect peoples’ heritage connections and protect heritage places.
Large scale severe fires; inappropriate fire regimes (chapter 5) and impacts from extreme events are a major risk.
Park facilities are being impacted; particularly roads; walking tracks and visitor facilities in bushfire prone areas; and coastal infrastructure.
Altered fire regimes (frequency; intensity; season; scale and patchiness) are leading to increased disturbance of the Wet Forest and Rainforest Natural Ecosystem.
Alternatively; increased inland temperatures and fire risk may see people avoiding these areas in favour of coastal destinations.
Recent experimental research on the effects of warming on alpine vegetation in Alpine National Park indicates that is relatively resilient to direct warming effects but is vulnerable to associated disturbances such as increased fire frequency.
Controlling the impact of weeds and pests after fire The 2003 Alpine Fire and 2006 07 Great Divide Fire burnt over two million hectares; and post fire floods caused massive erosion.
While the majority of catchments within the parks are largely intact and more than half were considered to in good to moderate condition (VCMA 2007); with some areas recovering from impacts of pasts uses and most now recovering from the impacts of bushfire (Parks Victoria 2013).
With more than a decade of drought conditions extending into 2010; there was a dramatic increase in the number; size and severity of bushfires in the planning area and surrounding areas as evidenced by the 2003 Alpine; the 2006 07 Great Divide and the 2009 Black Bushfire risk has increased with increased human settlement and development.
Extensive restoration work across the fire affected area included priorities to reduce the rapid growth and impact of many weeds (section 4.1).
An increase in fire in these Natural Ecosystems may also have negative effects on dependent animals and plants; water quality and quantity; and carbon sequestration.
Learning from the history of fire in the Alps The frequency of large scale; high intensity bushfires in the last decade across the region is widely accepted as being historically unprecedented.
Evidence of slow onset changes has been mounting for several decades; and extreme weather is becoming more common.
With more than a decade of drought conditions extending into 2010; there was a dramatic increase in the number; size and severity of bushfires in the planning area and surrounding areas as evidenced by the 2003 Alpine; the 2006 07 Great Divide and the 2009 Black Bushfire risk has increased with increased human settlement and development.
Long term droughts and extreme weather conditions during these fires were a major factor in the scale and intensity of those bushfires.
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NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Australian Alps Cooperative Management Program - 2006 Plan of Management Kosciuszko National Park
The plan also addresses key threats to the values of the park as follows Climate Change Maximising the protection of all alpine areas; all glacial and periglacial features and karst catchments Participating in international climate change research programs Undertaking research into climate manipulation; such as cloud seeding and artificial snowmaking and Establishing a park climate care program.
Do not encourage recreational use of areas of ecological or cultural sensitivity; or those regarded as unsafe; including but not limited to Areas of threatened species critical habitat Vegetation communities that are restricted in distribution; especially vulnerable to disturbance; or likely to come under increasing stress due to climate change Sites that are vulnerable to disturbance (e.g. streambanks; exposed soils) Places that contain culturally sensitive Aboriginal sites or values Cultural heritage features that are vulnerable to disturbance and Hazardous places (e.g. areas containing unfenced mines). . 8.
Prohibit camping in areas of ecological or cultural sensitivity; or those regarded as unsafe; including but not limited to Areas of threatened species critical habitat Vegetation communities that are restricted in distribution; especially vulnerable to disturbance; or likely to come under increasing stress due to climate change Within 30 m of rivers; streams and lakes Sites that are vulnerable to disturbance (e.g. exposed soils) Places that contain culturally sensitive Aboriginal sites or values or cultural heritage features that are vulnerable to disturbance and Hazardous places (e.g. areas containing unfenced mines). .
Do not promote walking in areas of ecological or cultural sensitivity; or those regarded as unsafe; including but not limited to Critical areas of threatened species habitat Vegetation communities that are restricted in distribution; especially vulnerable to disturbance; or likely to come under increasing stress due to climate change Sites that are vulnerable to disturbance (e.g. exposed soils) Places that contain culturally sensitive Aboriginal sites and values or cultural heritage features that are vulnerable to disturbance and Hazardous places (e.g. areas containing unfenced mines). . . 12.
They Issues and Opportunities The potential implications of climate change on snow cover; depth and duration may severely impact on the recreational values of the resorts.
Beyond 2020 the effects of climate change are less certain but likely to be more pronounced.
But the capacity of the resort lessees to make and retain snow may also be influenced by climatic factors; such as reductions in the number of hours that are cold enough for snow making and the more rapid melting of snow due to higher temperatures.
The need to understand the environmental implications of this activity is likely to grow as the resorts become increasingly reliant on artificial snow making due to predicted climate changes (Section 6.2).
Because of this; the park can play a major international and national role in measuring ecological responses to climate change.
The large size of the park; its range of ecosystems; and its links with other natural areas give species and communities opportunities to adapt to new situations created by climate change.
The great climatic changes of the Pleistocene are illustrated by the glacial and periglacial features of the park; while Holocene sediments and peats provide valuable information on vegetation changes associated with post glacial warming.
Selwyn Snowfields is more likely to be impacted by climate change than other resorts in the park due to its elevation and aspect The resort will require access to additional water for snow making to remain viable The resort provides a unique low cost option for families to experience snow The resort provides important economic activity and recreational resources for the communities of Adaminaby; Tumut and Tumbarumba and The resort is located close to the Snowy Hydro Limited operational centre of Cabramurra. .
Provide special attention to The protection of species and communities likely to come under stress from climate change The stabilisation of erosion hotspots on the Main Range and elsewhere The rehabilitation of eroding groundwater areas; especially valley bogs in the alpine and subalpine areas Stabilisation of actively eroding sites within the catchments of lakes; rivers and streams of high nature conservation value An evaluation program to measure the degree of success of various site treatments.
Special emphasis will be given to Introduced animal impacts in the alpine area including the possible implications of climate change on such species Impacts on rare and threatened native animal and plant species and communities Impacts on the values of lands adjoining the park Feral horse population environmental impact studies Work directed at dingo population identification and the minimisation of further genetic contamination Impacts associated with introduced fish species Understanding the nature and complexities of interspecies interactions Work aimed at improving our knowledge and understanding of the introduced invertebrate fauna of the park Work aimed at improving our knowledge of introduced animals currently of limited distribution but known to be a significant problem in other natural areas within Australia or overseas and An evaluation program to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of introduced animal control efforts.
The first set of criteria is as follows A species for which a national or state control program has been developed A species which threatens native plant or animal species or communities that are considered to be under stress due to climate change Any relevant action specified in a threat abatement plan developed for an introduced animal species that has been listed as a key threatening process under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Actions identified in recovery plans for threatened species A species that the community has identified as a high priority for action (this includes; but is not restricted to; pest animals declared under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998).
Based upon the imperatives of firefighter safety and the protection of life and property Consistent with the protection of natural and cultural values Broadly based and integrate fire prevention; preparedness; response and recovery strategies Practical; achievable and cost effective Based upon a strategic analysis of risks to assets Focused on the protection of significant values and assets Based upon sound science Informed by the known and likely implications of climate change Based upon a landscape wide approach and Supported by the community. . .
Training exercises will not be permitted in areas of ecological or cultural sensitivity including but not limited to Critical areas of threatened species habitat Vegetation communities that are restricted in distribution; especially vulnerable to disturbance; or likely to come under increasing stress due to climate change (unless snow covered) Sites that are vulnerable to disturbance (e.g. streambanks; areas of exposed soils) Places that contain culturally sensitive Aboriginal sites or values and Cultural heritage features that are vulnerable to disturbance. . . . 5.
Develop a climate research program directed at measuring and understanding the implications of climate change on the values of the park in addition to research directly associated with the GLORIA project.
Issues and Opportunities Climate change poses one of the greatest potential threats to the values of the park.
Trends towards drier and hotter conditions are consistent with predicted changes associated with increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
In the Australian Alps; Bureau of Meteorology records suggest a warming of the alpine climate over the past decade.
Scenarios for the alpine climate modelled by CSIRO for 2020; relative to 1990; are an increase in temperature of 0.2 to 1.0 C and a change in precipitation of 0.9 to 8.3 .
The potential effects of climate change on the biota of the park; especially that of the alpine and subalpine areas; include Climate change is already affecting the operations of key recreational and utility enterprises in the park.
Despite this; reductions in the area and duration of natural snow cover due to greenhouse warming may eventually threaten the viability of skiing at lower elevations. . .
As little as a 1 C rise in temperature accompanied by the predicted changes to precipitation; would eliminate the bioclimatic range of the mountain pygmy possum (Burramysparvus) The uphill migration of biota from lower elevations Likely expansion in the distribution of several plant communities; such as tall alpine herbfield and windswept feldmark; at the expense of more climatically sensitive communities such as short alpine herbfield and snowpatch feldmark Changes in the size and composition of sod tussock grassland; fen; raised bog and valley bog communities as changes in precipitation; runoff and evaporation alter the competitive advantages of plant species belonging to these communities Changes in the composition of the fauna of the alpine area due to changes in snow cover which protects some animals from winter cold while limiting opportunities for others Alikely increase in the diversity; abundance and distribution of weed species Uphill extensions in the ranges of feral animal species An increase in the incidence of wildfires and Alterations to catchment hydrology and geomorphological processes.
While cloud seeding may potentially ameliorate some of the ecological; recreational and economic impacts of climate change; it may also create adverse environmental effects.
The park provides an important opportunity to demonstrate to visitors the potential implications of climate change on the values of the park and mountain regions across the world; and the role of the community in helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Develop a climate research program directed at measuring and understanding the implications of climate change on the values of the park in addition to research directly associated with the GLORIA project.
The protection of species and communities considered to be under threat from climate change will receive high priority in the parkwide Restoration Plan (Chapter 11).
Other issues associated with past and ongoing human activities include Fire Past and ongoing developments and human activities Climate change Introduced plants and pathogens; and Introducedanimals. . .
Formulate and implement a research program to measure and understand the implications of climate change on the plant species and communities of the park (Section 6.2). 4.
Population densities of some reptile species are amongst the highest recorded anywhere in the world The presence of the mountain pygmy possum; the only alpine subalpine restricted marsupial species; and the only one known to hibernate The seasonal presence of Bogong moths; representing the climax of one of the longest insect migrations in the world The endemic or cold climate specialists of the alpine and subalpine areas; including one mammal; five frogs; four reptiles and a range of invertebrates species (e.g. ten species of grasshoppers and crickets and ten species of megascolecid earthworms) Populations of nationally threatened species of mammals; birds; frogs and fish and The cultural significance of the Bogong moth to Aboriginal people in south eastern Australia.
Introduced animal and plant species Exotic diseases and pathogens Inappropriate fireregimes Habitat destruction; modification and fragmentation Climate change and Catastrophicclimatic events. . .
The potential consequences of climate change on the fauna of the park are profound (Section 6.2).
For animal species and populations that are under stress from other factors; climatic conditions such as extreme drought; and associated catastrophic events such as fires; can hasten localised declines and extinctions.
Minimise the effects of other threatening processes on those alpine and subalpine animal species considered likely to come under increasing stress due to climate change; as listed in Section 6.2.
Of these; the capacity for fire to significantly impact upon cultural material was dramaticallyillustrated by the bushfires that destroyed or seriously damaged 19 historic huts and an unknown number of other cultural features.
Despite this; the variety of vegetation communities in the park; which present a range of different fuel structures and loads; combined with often steep and inaccessible terrain; make predicting fire behaviour and the suppression of wildfires extremelychallenging.
The ecological consequences of such major fire events can be profound; resulting in changes to vegetation community distributions and age classes; loss of habitat; localised extinctions; severe soil erosion and rapid deterioration of water quality . .
Roads and trails may be temporarily closed to all public access; including cyclists; due to extreme weather conditions; fire events and other natural hazards. 18.
Roads; trails; cycling tracks and shared use tracks may be temporarily closed to cyclists due to extreme weather conditions; fire events and other natural hazards. 9.
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ACT Land Management and Planning Division, Namadgi National Park Plan of Management 2010
Much of the native vegetation of the ACT is comprised of fire adapted ecosystems (ACT ESA 2005); however; there are also vegetation communities that are sensitive to fire or whose survival depends upon long intervals between major fires.
Major fire events in Namadgi are now artefacts of both nature and the history of human land use and may be more severe as a result of the changes that have occurred in the vegetation since the 1850s.
With the arrival of Europeans the fire regime changed dramatically; with the frequency of fires increasing by more than five times during the period 1850 to 1950; and then reducing thereafter.
All followed a period of drought and occurred during severe fire weather (strong winds; low humidity and high temperatures).
The 2003 fire was by far the largest and had the greatest impact on Canberra; destroying nearly 500 houses; and burning 70 of the Territory and 91 of Namadgi National Park.
It is evident that the 2003 fire has precipitated change in Namadgi that is likely to result in some landscapes and ecosystems being different from those that existed before the fire.
All followed a period of drought and occurred during severe fire weather (strong winds; low humidity and high temperatures).
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NSW Environment, Climate Change & Water, Scabby Range Nature Reserve Plan of Management
THREATS TO RESERVE VALUES 5.1 CLIMATE CHANGE Climate change has been listed as a key threatening process under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.
Projections of future changes in climate for NSW include higher temperatures; elevated CO2; more intense but possibly reduced annual average rainfall; increased temperature extremes and higher evaporative demand.
Individual species have two possible survival mechanisms in response to changes in climate adaptation or migration.
The direct impacts of climate change on species and ecosystems may include Range shifts and species movement towards cooler latitudes or higher elevations Extinctions of local populations along range boundaries Changes in productivity and nutrient cycling within ecosystems; due to a combination of climate change and increasing carbon dioxide levels Increasing invasion by opportunistic; weedy or highly mobile species; especially into sites where local populations of existing species are declining Increasing threat to freshwater ecosystems through decreasing water flows and changes in water temperature and chemistry; and Progressive decoupling of species interactions (for example plants and pollinators). .
The impacts of climate change on natural systems are reduced.
This adds to the potential impact of a frequent fire regime disturbance.