This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Forests and woodlands cover millions of hectares across Australia, from tropical rainforests and temperate eucalypt forests to the vast woodlands and shrublands of the arid interior. They store enormous amounts of carbon, support biodiversity, regulate water supplies and help buffer the impacts of climate change.
Yet we know surprisingly little about how these important ecosystems are changing over time. Australia has world-class ecological research sites and monitoring programs. But until now, we haven't had a coherent, long-term national monitoring network able to track the health of forests across the continent.
As a result, it's hard to answer fundamental questions. Are forests becoming more vulnerable to drought? How quickly do these ecosystems recover after fire?
How much carbon is being stored in forests and woodlands, and how might that change in the future? Right now, we don't know. As climate change loads the dice for more frequent and intense droughts, heat waves and wildfires in Australia, it's vital that we understand which ecosystems are at greatest risk and which are more resilient.
Our new project aims to help fill this gap. We are upgrading thousands of existing solar-powered sensors so they can transmit data in near real time via satellites in low Earth orbit. If our demonstration project in western New South Wales is successful, it could be expanded across the state—or the entire country.
Tracking changes to forests and woodlands in remote parts of Australia has long been a challenge. Researchers have installed sensors in many areas highly exposed to climate extremes, such as the arid west of NSW. These sensors measure soil moisture, microclimate, tree growth and plant water stress in near real time.
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