A change in only 10% of the carbon stored in the soil would be
equivalent to all the anthropogenic CO2 emitted over 30
years (Kirschbaum, 2000). The influence of fire on the carbon
balance of montane and sub-alpine ecosystems in Australia is
virtually unexplored but clearly of importance given the extent of
the ecosystems concerned, their carbon density, and their
sensitivity to both fire and climate. The focus of my PhD is
to provide baseline data on carbon cycling from key vegetation
types in the sub-alpine region of NSW, and to further elucidate the
drivers of carbon flux in soils.
Kirschbaum, M.U.F. (2000) Will changes in soil organic carbon
act as a positive or negative feedback on global warming?
Biogeochemistry, 48, 21-51.
