Extent and effect of the 2019-20 Australian bushfires on upland peat swamps in the Blue Mountains, NSW

The 2019–20 Australian bushfires severely impacted the Greater Blue Mountains Area, particularly its temperate highland peat swamps on sandstone (THPSS), a critical water supply catchment for Sydney. The study found that 59% of these unique upland wetlands were burned, with 72% experiencing high severity fires—most notably in Newnes, where 96% of swamps were affected and 84% suffered extreme burn severity. This research provides the first detailed analysis of fire extent and intensity on THPSS, offering critical insights into potential long-term consequences for geomorphological, hydrological, and ecological structure and recovery. The findings underscore the vulnerability of these ecosystems to climate-driven disasters and highlight urgent conservation needs in World Heritage Areas.

Fryirs, K. A., Cowley, K. L., Hejl, N., Chariton, A., Christiansen, N., Dudaniec, R. Y., Farebrother, W., Hardwick, L., Ralph, T., Stow, A., & Hose, G. (2021). Extent and effect of the 2019-20 Australian bushfires on upland peat swamps in the Blue Mountains, NSW. International Journal of Wildland Fire, 30(4), 294–300. https://doi.org/10.1071/wf20081