Tasmanian research leads to warning over rising temperatures

A groundbreaking study has discovered an alarming link between the drying out of tundra landscapes and release of carbon dioxide which will speed up global warming.

The study underway at the Silver Plains Reserve in Tasmania’s central highlands.

A groundbreaking study has discovered an alarming link between the drying out of tundra landscapes and release of carbon dioxide which will speed up global warming.

A paper published last month in the premier science journal Nature, found that when tundra in Arctic and alpine areas warm up an become dryer they release far more carbon dioxide than previously thought.

Professor of plant ecology at the University of Tasmania, Mark Hovenden, said the findings were a surprise.

“Our research shows tundra and alpine areas can be major emitters of carbon when they lose their water storage abilities and dry out,” Professor Hovenden said.

“While we were aware that emissions were occurring, the rate was a surprise as it was almost four times more than previously estimated.”

The study analysed 28 tundra sites around the world including the Silver Plains Reserve in Tasmania’s central highlands.

The study simulated the effect of a warming climate on Tasmania's alpine tundra.

The researchers used small open top chambers in tundra sites to simulate the effect of a warming climate, with experiments running from between one year to 25 years.

“These findings really show the urgency of the situation and the critical role our wetlands and peat swamps play in mitigating climate change,” Professor Hovenden said.

“It also shows the importance of prioritising the restoration of areas like Tasmania’s highlands, which play a crucial role in the broader ecosystem.”

The Silver Plains Reserve is managed by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy.

The conservancy’s conservation science and planning manager Cath Dickson said the research had “helped us learn about both the importance and the urgency of restoring peat swamps and wetlands, so that they can act as carbon sinks rather than sources”.