Bogong Moth Aestivation Sites as an Archive for Understanding the Floral, Faunal and Indigenous History of the Northern Australian Alps
Date
2016
Authors
Keaney, Benedict
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Abstract
The research detailed in this dissertation focuses on plant and
faunal remains preserved in the accumulating sediments at
aestivation sites of the Bogong Moth (Agrotis infusa), in the
crevices of granite tors in the northern Australian Alps.
Analyses have confirmed the preservation of a diverse range of
fossil material, including bird feathers, hairs of small
marsupials occupying the rock crevice niche, fossil pollen and
spores derived from the summit vegetation, and charcoal from
fires in the immediate vicinity of the aestivation sites.
The fieldwork focused on the sampling of deposits at various
aestivation sites representative of different biogeographical
areas to ascertain the sedimentary characteristics of each
region. Three aestivation study areas were located and sampled
for the study, the Brindabella Ranges, the Bogong Peaks and the
Tinderry Range in NSW. The Tinderry Range sites represent the
most easterly geographical region, while the Bogong Peaks site
and Brindabella Ranges sites represent, respectively, the western
and central aestivation site regions of the northern Australian
Alps area. Since preservation of organic material typically
occurs in a stable low oxygen environment, investigation into the
depositional environment is an important aspect of the study to
taphonomically contextualise the environmental proxies.
The palynological preparation of material from the three regions
revealed abundant pollen derived from local vegetation. A rich
assemblage of mammal hair was found in the Bogong Peaks and Mt
Gingera sediments. This record provides a unique faunal proxy of
sub-alpine ecosystems. Levels of charcoal in the sediments
reflect past fire frequency, and are presented in both micro- and
macro-charcoal graphs.
Aestivation site deposits are a unique terrestrial archive
recording ecological change in the montane and sub-alpine
environments for over 1000 years. Despite some chronometric
difficulties, they provide an excellent record of the effects of
local disturbance, such as fires, on the biome and provide
insights into the impact of European settlement, on both
vegetation structure and faunal biodiversity. The study provides
evidence of massive cultural, ecological and climatic upheaval at
sub-alpine elevations in the northern Australian Alps from the
late Holocene up to the present, and illustrates the great value
that aestivation sites hold as terrestrial archives, signalling a
need for further utilisation and investigation in light of rapid
human induced climate change.
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Bogong moth, aestivation, Australian Alps, terrestrial archive, flora, fauna, fire history, pollen, mammal hair, charcoal, sub-alpine, European settlement
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