Wildflowers Australian Alps December 07

The high country of the Australian Alps was traditionally occupied by two Aboriginal groups: the Walgal and the Ngarigo. Although the Aboriginal history of the Kosciuszko region is poorly known, the ceremonial feasts held to coincide with the summer arrival of Bogong moths have been well-documented by early European travellers.

In contrast, the early European use of the Alps is particularly well documented. Always on the look out for new pastures, graziers first moved into the high country with their stock in the 1830s. The alpine herbfields became staple summer pastures. Naturally, this had severe impacts on the alpine biota. Since 1958 when grazing on Kosciuszko was discontinued a fascinating recovery of the flora has occurred.

A feature that never fails to amaze summer visitor is the plants’ delicacy of appearance combined with their ability to withstand extreme exigencies of the climate without fading or tearing. Many of these wildflowers look as though the merest breath of wind or lightest touch would mar their delicate beauty, yet they stand unsullied through days of bitterly cold strong winds and fierce sun. Fleeting in their display they are something to be cherished for they are unique as well as beautiful and once lost they will be gone for ever.

Today, the most serious and insidious threat to the alpine biota comes from climate change.