A COLLABORATIVE project funded the federal government is looking to help keep alpine peatlands across the North East healthy.

North East Catchment Management Authority is working with scientists from La Trobe University and First Nations groups to monitor the peatlands for invasive weeds like soft rush, willow, lotus and oxeye daisy.

They’re also monitoring disturbances caused by feral animals and human activities.

Team members have spent recent weeks out in the field, using both on-ground transects and drones, which help to identify weeds over large areas quickly and efficiently.

Peatlands in the Bogong High Plains, Mount Buffalo, Dinner Plain and Dargo High Plains have recently being inspected, with Howitt/Moroka High Plains and Mount Baw Baw alpine region the focus this week to wrap up this six-week monitoring program.

Project team members have reported that some peatlands are still recovering from bushfires, and the monitoring has highlighted the need for ongoing weed and pest control to keep these peatlands healthy.

Healthy peatlands are crucial as they sequester significant volumes of greenhouse gases and filter the headwater flows of the North East, East Gippsland and West Gippsland catchments.