Tasmanian High Soil Carbon Landscapes project

Posted 20 October 2025

Improving soil, climate, ecosystem and traditional knowledge

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE) and Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) have partnered on a $2.9 million project as part of the Partnering to Implement the National Soil Action Plan program.

The aim of the project is to improve understanding of Tasmania's carbon-rich soils across production and conservation landscapes through mapping, quantifying carbon content and identifying any threats to these valuable natural assets. The intended outcomes of the project will guide future land use decisions, inform climate change strategies and help Tasmanian farmers, landowners and communities plan for drought by identifying, protecting and rehabilitating high soil carbon areas on land they manage.

The project has commenced, and 25 sites across production and conservation areas around Tasmania will be assessed initially, with a target to have 200 sites assessed by 2028.

High soil carbon landscapes contain soils with levels of soil carbon greater than 12%. They are diverse areas and can present as peatlands on coastal plains, wetlands and alpine/subalpine highlands across various land tenures. Globally, these areas only make up 3% of total land but can store up to a third of the worlds soil carbon. Tasmania is recognised as having the largest proportion of organic soils in Australia.

Properly managing high soil carbon landscapes across Tasmania is important for climate change adaption, sustainable agriculture, healthy ecosystems and cultural heritage.