Australian soil "severely damaged" by bush-fires

Leading Australian scientists have called for more work to be done to help the nation's soil recover from devastating bushfires, reported Xinhua.

The Australian Academy of Science on Wednesday published a report on the impact of bushfires on soil conditions, revealing the significant damage caused by the fires.

It warned that if more resources weren't dedicated to soil recovery efforts Australia's agricultural productivity would decline.

"The bushfires severely damaged millions of hectares of land, not just above ground but the soil beneath us. This has clear implications for soil fertility, Australia's agricultural productivity and the recovery of native vegetation," Alexander McBratney, a soil scientist and Academy Fellow, said in a media release.

"As a nation we can do more to monitor our soils. Post-bushfires there are opportunities to improve and implement initiatives to better manage Australian soils as we develop a soils recovery plan.

"A nationally consistent framework for soil data collection, storage and accessibility is important to provide the scientific evidence that underpins policy development."

More than 18 million hectares of land were burned during the 2019-20 summer bushfire crisis.

Australia's east coast, which accounts for most of the nation's agricultural production, was hit hardest by the fires.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged the threat to Australia's soil in a speech in July 2019.

Rob Fitzpatrick, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, said that Australia must integrate soil management into bushfire recovery programs.

"The successful recovery of Australia's soil condition also extends further than the immediate soil ecosystem," he said.

"Interlinked systems such as biodiversity and conservation programs, agricultural and horticultural industries, and broader ecosystem services will also benefit from better monitoring and management of soil condition."