Climate change, vegetation & risk for rehabilitation success
A study on soil covers in the Latrobe Valley
Research Program
Operational Solutions
Project Leader
Professor Thomas Baumgartl
Project ID
3.9
Summary
This project is investigating the possible consequences of climate change on the performance of vegetation on soil covers in a representative Latrobe Valley mine rehabilitation environment. It will seek to understand potential impacts on the long-term stability of these covers.
The first-of-its-kind study will link climate change predictions, soil hydrological performance and drought indices with plant performance under Latrobe Valley rehabilitation conditions. It is designed over consecutive stages:
- First two years – investigating consequences in a controlled environment.
- Next two to three years – testing the validity of the objective and challenging the outcome of climate response to vegetation.
Results are expected to inform potential adaptation requirements for the design and construction of soil covers in rehabilitation for ensuring long-term stable landform conditions.
Field investigations may be added over time in collaboration with the local mining industry as a mine site study.
Project Partners
Federation University Australia; The University of Queensland; Victorian Government
Duration
18 months