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.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Carex Sedgeland of the New England Tableland, Nandewar, Brigalow Belt South and NSW North Coast Bioregions
Gazetted date:
15 Apr 2011
Profile last updated:
12 Apr 2024
Description
Carex Sedgelands are fens dominated by sedges, grasses and semi-aquatic herbs. Dominant species are Carex appressa, Stellaria angustifolia, Scirpus polystachyus, Carex gaudichaudiana, Carex sp. Bendemeer, Carex tereticaulis and Isachne globosa, either as single species or in combinations. Carex Sedgeland falls within the general formation of montane bogs and fens of Beadle (1981) and Keith (2004). Carex Sedgelands include the fen communities C1 Carex appressa–Stellaria angustifolia, C2 Carex appressa, C3 Scirpus polystachyus–Carex appressa, C4 Carex tereticaulis, C5 Carex gaudichaudiana–Isachne globosa, and Carex sp. Bendemeer–Carex gaudichaudiana of Hunter and Bell (2009), as well as Sedge Fens of impeded drainage of the Nandewar and New England Tablelands Bioregion (ID 582) described by Benson et al. (2010). A comprehensive list of species that characterise the ecological community can be found in the NSW Scientific Committee Final Determination.
Distribution
Carex Sedgelands are mostly found at higher altitude on tablelands but extend onto the slopes. The community has been recorded from the local government areas of Armidale Dumaresq, Warrumbungle, Glen Innes Severn, Guyra, Gwydir, Inverell, Liverpool Plains, Tamworth Regional, Uralla and Walcha. The community occupies an estimated extent of 5000 hectares, which is estimated to be a 50% decline in extent since European settlement. Less than 100 hectares is currently represented in conservation reserves in NSW.
Habitat and ecology
- Carex Sedgelands mainly occur in drainage depressions in valley floors, frost hollows, and undulating terrain between 440 and 1360 m in altitude.
- Occur on a variety of lithologies including granite, basalt, metasediments, acid volcanics, sandstone and Aeolian sands.
- Occur as a part of a mosaic of native vegetation communities including swamps, bogs, wetlands, grasslands, and sclerophyll forests.
- Many patches are small (< 0.1 hectare) but some are as large as 32.5 hectares.
- The community is known to contain the endangered species Lysimachia vulgaris var. davurica.
- Carex Sedgelands often grade into dense Swamp Foxtail tussock grassland.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Change in catchment hydrology altering the water regime including drainage, increasing inflow, construction of dams, making the wetland shallower or deeper.
- Agricultural activities such as grazing and trampling by stock, removing vegetation, water harvesting and draining.
- Lack of knowledge and value of the TEC and the lack of understanding about the dynamics of the TEC (ie, that is is still the TEC even during dry periods).
- Invasion and establishment of weed species at some sites, particularly along the fringes.
- Land clearing from urban, rural and agricultural development.
- Inappropriate fire regime.
- Climate change resulting in longer period of dryness
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Protect and actively manage Carex Sedgelands through conservation mechanisms such as covenanting and the preparation/implementation of site-specific vegetation management plans.
- Control access of cattle to Carex Sedgelands by installing fencing.
- Restore natural drainage conditions.
- Support local Landcare groups and catchment management initiatives.
- Protect from clearing, drainage, excavation and damming.
- Undertake weed control as required using removal methods that will not damage the community.
Information sources
- Beadle, N.C.W. (1981) The Vegetation of Australia. (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge)
- Bell, D.M., Hunter, J.T. and Haworth, R.J. (2008) Montane lakes (lagoons) of the New England Tablelands Bioregion. Cunninghamia 10(3): 475–492
- Benson, J.S. and Ashby, E.M. (2000) Vegetation of the Guyra 1:100 000 map sheet New England Bioregion, New South Wales. Cunninghamia 6(3): 747-872
- Benson, J.S., Richards, P.G., Waller, S. and Allen, C.B. (2010) New South Wales Vegetation classification and Assessment: Part 3 Plant communities of the NSW Brigalow Belt South, Nandewar and west New England Bioregions and update of NSW Western Plains and South-western Slopes plant communities, Version 3 of the NSWVCA database. Cunninghamia 11(4): 457-579
- Hunter, J. T. and Bell, D. (2009) The Carex fen vegetation of northern New South Wales. Cunninghamia 11(1): 49-64
- Hunter, J.T. and Bell, D. (2007) Vegetation of montane bogs in east-flowing catchments of northern New England, New South Wales. Cunninghamia 10(1): 93-111
- NSW Scientific Committee (2011) Carex Sedgeland of the New England Tableland, Nandewar, Brigalow Belt South and NSW North Coast Bioregions - Endangered ecological community - final.
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