Southern Hemisphere peatlands in the Anthropocene: Knowledge gaps in global bomb–pulse research

The magnitude of ecological changes in recent human history has contributed to the proposal that Earth has entered a new human-dominated geological epoch, the Anthropocene. Peak radionuclide fallout from nuclear devices and testing in the mid-20th century is the primary chronostratigraphic marker for this transition. However, formal recognition of the proposed Anthropocene remains a contested space. Globally, environmental archives provide growing evidence of persistent markers of the proposed Anthropocene. Peatlands are slow-forming, accretionary systems, capturing valuable information on climatic conditions and atmospheric fallout over time. Peatlands as archives to record the proposed Anthropocene have predominantly been explored in the Northern Hemisphere. There is limited research on this signature in Southern Hemisphere peatlands, particularly within Australia, that experience higher climatic variability and disturbance risk compared to their Northern Hemisphere counterparts. Addressing this gap will provide valuable information on the commencement and unique signature of the proposed Anthropocene in Southern Hemisphere peatlands.