Montane Peatlands and Swamps - profile

Scientific name: Montane Peatlands and Swamps of the New England Tableland, NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin, South East Corner, South Eastern Highlands and Australian Alps 
 Conservation status in NSW: Endangered Ecological Community
National conservation status: Endangered (slightly different to NSW)

Description

Montane Peatlands and Swamps comprises a dense, open or sparse layer of shrubs with soft-leaved sedges, grasses and forbs. It is the only type of wetland that may contain more than trace amounts of Sphagnum spp., the hummock peat-forming mosses. Small trees may be present as scattered emergents or absent.

The community typically has an open to very sparse layer of shrubs, 1-5 m tall, (eg. Baeckea gunniana, B. utilis, Callistemon pityoides, Leptospermum juniperinum, L. lanigerum, L. myrtifolium, L. obovatum, L. polygalifolium). Species of Epacris (eg. E. breviflora, E. microphylla, E. paludosa) and Hakea microcarpa are also common shrubs. In some peatlands and swamps, particularly those with a history of disturbance to vegetation, soils or hydrology, the shrub layer comprises dense thickets of Leptospermum species. In other peatlands and swamps with a history of grazing by domestic livestock, the shrub layer may be very sparse or absent.

Montane Peatlands typically have a dense groundcover of sedges, grasses and forbs, except where a dense cover of tall shrubs casts deep shade. Soft-leaved species of Carex (eg. C. appressa, C. fascicularis, C. gaudichaudiana) and Poa (eg. P. costiniana, P. labillardieri) typically make up most of the groundcover biomass, while other common sedges include Baloskion spp., Baumea rubiginosa, Empodisma minus, Juncus spp. and Schoenus apogon.

Forbs growing amongst the sedges include Drosera spp., Geranium neglectum, Gratiola spp., Mitrasacme serpyllifolia, Ranunculus spp. and Viola spp. Hummocks of Sphagnum moss may occur amongst other components of the ground layer.

The continuity of the ground layer may be interrupted by erosion, trampling, partial clearing or earthworks. There may be considerable variation in soils and species composition between and within individual peatlands and swamps. Regionally, a number of species are confined to the northern or southern parts of the community's distribution. Locally, toward the margins of any particular peatland or swamp, the average watertable depth typically declines, the mineral content of surface soils increases and hydrophilic plant species are replaced by species that are less tolerant of waterlogged conditions. For a comprehensive list of species that characterize the community open the Scientific Determination link in the top right box.

Montane Peatlands and Swamps may be distinguished from Upland Wetlands of the Drainage Divide of the New England Tableland bioregion, also listed on Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, by several biological and physical characteristics. The latter community has fewer woody plants, a greater component of aquatic herbs, is based on substrates with less peat and higher mineral content, and has shallow temporary to near-permanent standing water, cf. a varying depth of seeping water within Montane Peatlands and Swamps.

Location and habitat

Distribution
 

The Montane Peatlands and Swamps EEC is currently known from parts of the Local Government Areas of Armidale Dumaresq, Bega Valley, Bellingen, Blue Mountains, Bombala, Cooma-Monaro, Eurobodalla, Gloucester, Greater Argyle, Guyra, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Oberon, Palerang, Severn, Shoalhaven, Snowy River, Tenterfield, Tumbarumba, Tumut, Upper Lachlan and Wingecarribee but may occur elsewhere in these bioregions.

The community is currently known from conservation reserves including Werrikimbee, Barrington, Kanangra-Boyd, Monga, Wadbilliga, South East Forests and Kosciusko National Parks. However, these examples are generally small, unrepresentative of the range of variation in the community, affected by past disturbances and continue to be threatened by some of the processes listed below. Analogous communities occur in Victoria, where the community is listed as threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, and in the Australian Capital Territory.

Losses of Montane Peatlands and Swamps due to land clearing are difficult to estimate. However, estimates vary from about 20% in the Guyra district to more than 75% in the far southeast of NSW.

• The Montane Peatlands community is associated with accumulated peaty or organic-mineral sediments on poorly drained flats in the headwaters of streams. It occurs on undulating tablelands and plateaux, above 400-500 m elevation, generally in catchments with basic volcanic or fine-grained sedimentary substrates or, occasionally, granite.

Regional information
This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.

• Hawkesbury/Nepean
• Hunter/Central Rivers
• Murray
• Murrumbidgee
• Northern Rivers
• Southern Rivers

Threats

• Land clearing
• Grazing
• Trampling
• Soil disturbance caused by feral pigs, goats, deer, horses and domestic livestock
• Damage to vegetation and soils by off-road vehicles
• Peat mining
• Frequent or high-intensity fires
• Pollution and eutrophication from urban areas, cropping and improved pastures in the catchment
• Weed invasion
• Changes to water tables and surface flows caused by drainage works or altered flows in the catchment
• Erosion and sedimentation
• Climate change

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 10 priority actions to help recover the Montane Peatlands and Swamps in New South Wales.

What needs to be done to recover this species?

• Instigate pig, deer and goat control programs.
• Ensure that the fire sensitivity of the community is considered when planning hazard reduction and asset management burning.
• Install stormwater control mechanisms to prevent off-site impacts from adjacent development.
• Control access of domestic stock to the community by installing fencing.
• Prevent access to the community by off-road vehicles, bushwalkers or other trampling agents through fencing or re-routing of tracks.
• Undertake weed control as required using removal methods that will not damage the community.
• Protect and actively manage the community through conservation mechanisms such as covenanting and the preparation/implementation of site-specific vegetation management plans.
• Restore natural drainage conditions.

Detailed References

Below is a list of references relating to this ecological community. You can filter the list by the features or publication type you require.

Reference Details	Features
Arachchi, B., Lambkin, K.J. (1999) Wingecarribee Reservoir Swamp failure. ANCOLD Bulletin , Vol. 113, pp. 37-45.
Benson, D.H. and Keith, D.A. (1990) The natural vegetation of the Wallerawang 1:100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia, Vol. 2, pp. 305-335.
Beukers, P. and Miles, J. (In prep) Revision of vegetation mapping for the NSW Far South Coast. DECC Merimbula. NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change (Parks and Wildlife Group), Merimbula.
Boulton, A.J. and Brock, M.A. (1999) Australian freshwater wetlands: processes and management. Gleneagles Publishing, Glen Osmond, 300 pgs + illus, tables, bibliog, glossary and index .
Clarke PJ, Copeland LM, Noble NE, Bale CL, Williams JB (2000) The vegetation and plant species of New England National Park. University of New England, Armidale. , 274 pgs.
Clarke, P.J. and Martin, A.R.H. (1999) Sphagnum Peatlands of Kosciuszko National Park in Relation to Altitude, Time and Disturbance. Australian Journal of Botany, Vol 47, pp. 519-536.
Costin, A.B. (1954) A study of the ecosystem of the Monaro region of New South Wales with special reference to soil erosion. AH Pettifer, Government Printer: Sydney.
Crawford, C. and Lewis, B. (2002) Riparian Management Guidelines for the Wollondilly and Wingecarribee Rivers. Wollondilly Catchment Management Committee, Goulburn.
DEC (2004) North East NSW Field Key to Forest Ecosystems. Natural Resource Management Field Assessment Guidelines. DEC, NE Branch Coffs Harbour..
DEC (2005) Recovering Bushland on the Cumberland Plain: Best practise guidelines for the management and restoration of bushland. Dept. of Environment and Conservation (NSW), Sydney..
DEC (2006) The Vegetation of the Western Blue Mountains. Unpublished report funded by the Hawkesbury – Nepean Catchment Management Authority. Department of Environment and Conservation, Hurstville., Vol 1: Technical Report Vol 2: Veg Profiles.
DSE (2005) Report of the investigation into the future of cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park. Victorian Dept. of Sustainability and Environment, 165 pgs.
Ecological (2002) Wingecarribee Biodiversity Study: Vegetation Mapping, Threatened Species, Corridors and Conservation Assessment. Report prepared by Eco Logical Australia for Wingecarribee Shire Council, 82 pgs.
Fisher, M., Body, M. and Gill, J. (1996) Vegetation Idenification and Classification of the Coffs Harbour City Council LGA. North East Vegetation Surveys, 75 pgs.
Fraser, L., Vickery, J.W. (1939) The ecology of the upper William River and Barrington Tops district. I. Introduction. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales , Vol. 64, pp. 1-33..
Harden, G. (ed) (1999-2002) Flora of NSW. NSW University Press, Vol. 1-4.
Hnatuik, R.J., Thackway, R. and Walker, J. (2003) Vegetation - Guidelines for site-based survey. Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences, 111pgs.
House, S (2003) Lower Hunter & Central Coast Regional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, Technical Report, Digital Aerial Photo Interpretation & Updated Extant Vegetation Community Map. Lower Hunter & Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy, Callaghan, NSW..
Hunter, J.T. and Bell, D. (2007) Vegetation of montane bogs in east-flowing catchments of northern New England, New South Wales. Cunninghamia, Vol 10 (1), pp. 93-111.
Keith, D.A. (2004) Ocean Shores to Desert Dunes - The native vegetation of NSW and the ACT. Dept. of Environment and Conservation (NSW), 353 pgs.
Keith, D.A. (1996) Fire-driven mechanisms of extinction in vascular plants: a review of empirical and theoretical evidence in Australian vegetation. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales., Vol. 116, pp. 37-78..
Keith, D.A., Rodoreda, S. Holman, L. and Lemmon, J. (2006) Monitoring Change in Upland Swamps in Sydney’s Water Catchments: the roles of fire and rain. Dept. of Environment and Conservation (NSW), 82 pgs.
Kodela, P.G., James, T.A. & Hind, P.D. (1996) Vegetation and flora of swamps on the Boyd Plateau, Central Tablelands, New South Wales. Cunninghamia , Vol 4 (3), pp 525-530.
Kodela, P.G., Sainty, G.R., Bravo, F.J. and James, T.A. (2001) Wingecarribee Swamp flora survey and related management issues. Sydney Catchment Authority, New South Wales..
Legoe, G.M. (1981) Peats and Peatlands - A summary of Research and Literature. NPWS, Occasional Paper No. 3.
Lovett, S. and Price, P. (eds) (2007) Principles for riparian lands management. Land and Water Australia, Canberra., 200 pgs.
McDonald, R.C., Isbell, R.F., Speight, J.G., Walker, J. and Hopkins, M.S. (1990) Australian soil and land survey. Field handbook. Second edition. Inkata Press, Melbourne., pp. 9-57.
McDougall, K.L. (2007) Grazing and fire in two subalpine peatlands. Australian Journal of Botany, Vol. 55, pp. 42–47.
McDougall, K.L. and Walsh, N.G. (2007) Treeless vegetation of the Australian Alps. Cunninghamia, Vol 10 (1) pp 1-57.
McLuckie, J. and , Petrie, A.H.K. (1927) The vegetation of the Kosiusko Plateau. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of NSW., Vol. 52, pp. 94-113..
Millington, R.J. (1954) Sphagnum bogs of the New England Plateau, New South Wales. Journal of Ecology, Vol. 42, pp. 328-344..
Mort, S.J. (1983) The Barrington Tops swamps - flora, ecology and conservation. University of New South Wales. Unpublished Honours thesis. University of NSW..
NPWS (2003) The Native vegetation of the Warragamba Special Area. Part A: Technical Report. Part B: Vegetation Community Profiles. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney, 184 & 242 pgs.
Ryan, K., Fisher, M. & Schaeper, L. (1996) The natural vegetation of the St Albans 1:100 000 Mapsheet (includes 1:100 000 map). Cunninghamia, Vol 4(3) pp 433-482.
Shannon, J.M. and Morgan, J.W. (2007) Floristic variation in Sphagnum-dominated peatland communities of the Central Highlands, Victoria. Cunninghamia, Vol 10(1) pp 59-76.
Smith, P. and Smith, J. (1990) Hornsby Shire bushland survey. Report and maps prepared for Hornsby Shire Council. P & J Smith Ecological Consultants, Blaxland..
Taranto, M., Downe, J., Coates, F. and Oates, A. (2004) Recovery of Montane Swamp Complex after bushfires in north east Victoria 2003. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 152. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Heidelberg, 45 pgs.
Thackway, R., Creswell, I.D. (eds) (1995) An interim biogeographic regionalisation of Australia: a framework for establishing the national system of reserves. Australian Nature Conservation Agency: Canberra..
Thackway, R., Neldner, J. and Bolton, M. (2003) Chapter 7. Vegetation - Guidelines for Conducting Surveys. Australian Bureau of Rural Sciences, 35 pgs.
Thomas, V., Gellie, N., & Harrison, T. (2000) Forest Ecosystem Classification and Mapping for the Southern Comprehensive Regional Assessment. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Queanbeyan..
Tindall, D., Pennay, C., Tozer, M.G., Turner, K., & Keith, D.A. (2004) DRAFT Native vegetation map report series No. 4. Araluen, Batemans Bay, Braidwood, Burragorang, Goulburn, Jervis Bay, Katoomba, Kiama, Moss Vale, Penrith, Port Hacking, Sydney, Taralga, Ulladulla, Wollongong (Priority 5 Mapping Area - P5MA). NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change and NSW Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources..
Tozer, M.G., Turner, K., Simpson, C., Keith, D.A., Beukers, P., MacKenzie, B., Tindall, D. & Pennay, C. (2006) Native vegetation of south east NSW: a revised classification and map for the coast and eastern tablelands. V1.0. NSW Dept. of Environment and Climate Change and NSW Dept. of Infrastructure, Planning and Natrual Resources..
Whinam, J, Chilcott, N. (2002) Floristic description and environmental relationships of Sphagnum communities in NSW and the ACT and their conservation management. Cunninghamia, Vol 7, pp. 463-500.
Whinam, J, Chilcott, N. and Morgan, J.W. (2003) Floristic composition and environmental relationships of Sphagnum dominated communities in Victoria. Cunninghamia, Vol 8 (2), pp. 162-174.
Whinam, J., Barmuta, L.A. and Chilcott, N. (2001) Floristic description and environmental relationships of Tasmanian Sphagnum communities and their conservation management. Australian Journal of Botany, Vol. 49, pp. 673-685.
Whinam, J., Hope, G.S., Clarkson, B.R., Buxton, R.P., Alspach, P.A. and Adam, P. (2003) Sphagnum in peatlands of Australasia: their distribution, utilisaion and management. Wetlands Ecology and Management, Vol 11, pp. 37-49.
Wimbush, D.J. and Costin, A.B. (1973) Vegetation mapping in relation to ecological interpretation and management in the Kosciusko alpine area. Plant Industry Technical paper No. 32. CSIRO, Melbourne..
Wimbush, D.J. and Costin, A.B. (1979) Trends in Vegetation in Kosiusko. Australian Journal of Botany , Vol. 27, pp. 741-871 .
Young, A.R.M. (1982) Upland swamps (dells) on the Woronora plateau, NSW. PhD thesis, University of Wollongong..
Zoete, T. (2000) Vegetation Survey of the Barrington Tops and Mount Royal National Parks for use in Fire Management. Cunninghamia , Vol. 6, pp. 511-578..