Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Marsh Club-rush sedgeland in the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion
Gazetted date:
24 Sep 2010
Profile last updated:
07 Sep 2017
Description
Marsh Club-rush sedgeland is dominated by the Marsh Club-rush Bolboschoenus fluviatilis which forms dense stands up to 2 m tall. The community is further characterised by an understorey including Tussock Sedge Carex appressa, Ribbed Spike Rush Eleocharis plana, Blown Grass Lachnagrostis filiformis, Water Couch Paspalum distichum and Swamp Buttercup Ranunculus undosus. Other species that may be present include Cyperus victoriensis, Typha domingensis, Ludwigia peploides subsp. montevidensis and Eleocharis pallens. The ecological community is distinguished from other surrounding communities by a lack of trees and the dominance of Bolboschoenus fluviatilis (generally over 40% of the vegetation cover) although the structure may vary depending on past disturbance. Surrounding communities may include woodlands of Coolibah Eucalyptus coolabah and Black Box E. largiflorens, shrublands of River Coobah Acacia stenophylla and Lignum Muehlenbeckia florulenta or treeless communities dominated by Water Couch, Spike Rush, Tussock Rush Juncus aridicola or Common Reed Phragmites australis. Bolboschoenus fluviatilis is widespread in NSW and may occur as a component species in these surrounding communities and in a range of other wetland locations. Marsh Club-rush sedgeland is associated with grey clay soils usually with a surface layer of organic matter several centimetres thick. Further information on the community can be found in Benson (2008) under the name 'Marsh Club-rush very tall sedgeland of inland watercourses.'
Distribution
Marsh Club-rush sedgeland is mainly restricted to the Gwydir wetlands but may occur elsewhere in the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion. The community has a very highly restricted and fragmented geographic distribution. Its has suffered an extensive decline over past decades and the cumulative area remaining is much less than 800 ha (most estimates suggest < 400 ha).
Habitat and ecology
- Marsh Club-rush sedgeland is associated with grey clay soils usually with a surface layer of organic matter several centimetres thick. The community has been described by Benson (2008) as ID 205 Marsh Club-rush very tall sedgeland of inland watercourses.
- Marsh Club-rush sedgeland has been recorded in the Gwydir wetlands but may occur elsewhere in the Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Reduction in environmental water and/or planned environmental water and natural water flows into the Gingham and Lower Gwydir systems.
- Reduction in flooding intensity, duration and distribution have played a major factor in the gradual reduction in extent of this community.
- Reduced size of community make it susceptible to impacts from other threats.
- Habitat degradation resulting from soil disturbance, altered nutrient levels, pollution and eutrophication contribute to reduction of the community.
- Feral pigs turn over the ground and expose the rhizomes, possibly eating them. Pigs create wallows and tracks which can change the direction and course of water. Pigs are more prevalent in the community when no other refuges are available, particularly in times of drought.
- Wetland does not require fire. Fires can result in underground biomass being burnt (particularly if there is not flooding immediately post fire) which will could result in the inability of the community to recover.
- Potential for invasion by Lippia in natural drying periods and especially under drought and low water flows or post fire, prompting landholder to change landuse from grazing to cropping
- Anthropogenic climate change may directly alter the community's resilience, besides affecting water regimes.
- Loss of connectivity and fragmentation of TEC.
- Inappropriate grazing pressure (cattle).
- Potential for encroachment by native species such as Phragmites and Cumbungi with overwatering.
- Competition by Water hyacinth.
Recovery strategies
A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click
here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click
here
Activities to assist this species
- Livestock should be excluded from this community, or at least strategically controlled so that the community can recover quickly after light grazing.
- Continue regional pig control programs.
- Inundation of the community needs to be achieved regularly to maintain health (e.g. 80–215 days per year at a depth of < 60 cm).
- Drainage of the community, including inadvertently through landscaping projects, must be prevented. Natural drainage patterns should be restored.
- Opportunistic monitoring of fire events is required to learn how the community responds to burning in different seasons and at different intensities.
- Undertake weed control where feasible using methods that will not damage the community. Target infestations of Lippia before they become established.
- Protect and manage wetlands through landowner education, covenanting and implementation of site-specific management plans.
Information sources
- Benson JS (2008) New South Wales Vegetation Classification and Assessment: Part 2 Plant communities in the NSW South-western Slopes Bioregion and update of NSW Western Plains plant communities. Version 2 of the NSWVCA database. Cunninghamia 10, 599-673.
- Blanch, SJ, Ganf, GG and Walker, KF (1999) Tolerance of riverine plants to flooding and exposure indicated by water regime. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 15: 43–62.
- Bowen S, Simpson S, McCosker R (2008) Changes in extent and condition of floodplain wetland vegetation communities in the Gwydir wetlands and floodplain 1996-2005. New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change, Sydney.
- Bowen S, Simpson SL (2009) Changes in extent and condition of the vegetation communities of the Gwydir Wetlands and Floodplain 1996-2008 Final Report for the NSW Wetland Recovery Program. NSW Department of Environment Climate Change and Water, Sydney.
- Kingsford RT (2000) Ecological impacts of dams, water diversions and river management on floodplain wetlands in Australia. Austral Ecology 25, 109–127.
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