Restoring pig damaged peat ecosystems in the Walpole wilderness western Australia

Authors:
Karlene Bain, Elizabeth J. Edmonds and David M. Edmonds

Book:
Proceedings of the 15th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Kuching

Keywords:
decomposition, mulching, oxidation, re-vegetation

Documentfile:
ipc16p207-211a027bainedmonds.etal_.pdf

Summary:

SUMMARY

The Walpole Wilderness is an important component of an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot in southwest Australia. The Wilderness contains numerous peatlands, many of which are wetlands of national significance and contain critical habitat for a rich diversity of threatened, endemic and relictual taxa. Despite significant control efforts, feral pigs have damaged large areas of peat following fire. Their activities aerate the peat, resulting in accelerated decomposition, acidification and the rapid mobilisation of toxic heavy metals. This project investigates the effectiveness of field techniques available for the stabilisation and recovery of peatlands…