Australian Alpine peatlands are unique ecosystems found in the high-altitude regions of Victoria, NSW and the ACT. They may be remote—but their impact is enormous.
- They act as vital carbon sinks
- Filter and regulate water like natural sponges
- Support unique and threatened biodiversity
Yet monitoring their health is challenging due to fragmented landscapes and limited tools.
The PeatSense project is changing that.
By combining high-resolution drone imagery - working with Nallawilli Bunjil - along with satellite remote sensing and on-ground hydrological data, researchers at La Trobe University and partners working on a National Environmental Science Program project are building a smarter, scalable way to assess peatland condition across the Australian Alps.
The goal: real-time, practical insights that empower land managers to make better decisions and support recovery in ecosystems under pressure from fire, climate change, and invasive species.
A powerful example of technology, collaboration and environmental science working together to protect some of our most valuable and vulnerable natural systems.
The project partners include National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Resilient Landscapes Hub, La Trobe University, The Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology, Nallawilli Bunjil, Australian Alps National Parks - Parks Victoria, Local Land Services Agency, Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development, North East Catchment Management Authority and University of Quebec and Montreal.
Link to project in @NESPLandscapes bio (https://nesplandscapes.edu.au/projects/nesp-rlh/peatsense/)