Authors

Source

Type

Peer Review

Audience

Pages

Notes

This initial report summarises current knowledge of predicted climate change effects on alpine and subalpine biota, with a focus on Kosciuszko National Park in south-eastern NSW. It outlines some possible scenarios of the impacts and responses of the native flora and fauna, and feral animals and weeds to climate change, particularly responses to the scenarios of increased mean temperatures as a result of global warming.

The report outlines two major research projects that have been established to gather information on global warming in the Kosciuszko National Park section of the Australian Alps: first, the quantification of regional climatic changes; and second, the formulation of sound predictions on the degree and extent of impacts on the flora and fauna of predicted or quantified climate changes. These studies are complemented by research work being carried out as part of two worldwide alpine area climate chnge projects in which the authors are involved: GLORIA (Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments) and the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA) program.