Snowpatch Herbfield in the Australian Alps Bioregion - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

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: Snowpatch Herbfield in the Australian Alps Bioregion

Conservation status in NSW: Critically Endangered Ecological Community

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 27 Apr 2018

Profile last updated: 17 Sep 2019

Description

Snowpatch herbfield is characterised by small mat-forming or creeping herbs that are found below late-lying or semi-permanent snowpatches . The community is characterised by Neopaxia australasica, Plantago muelleri, Plantago glacialis, Psychrophila introloba and for much of the snow free period has a continuous supply of water from snowmelt. Other common species include Brachycome nivalis , Poa costiniana, Epilobium tasmanicum, Luzula acutifolia subsp. nana, Oreomyrrhis pulvinifica , Ranunculus niphophilus, Ranunculus anemoneus, Carex cephalotes and Carex hypandra.

Distribution

Snowpatch herbfield is associated with late lying snow banks, they form below these semi-permanent areas of snow and have ample water supply from the melt for long into the snow-free period. The community occurs as scattered small patches between 1800 m and 2200 m elevation. They occur on east to south facing slopes between the Ramshead Range in the south to Mt Jagungal in the north. The extent of occurrence estimated to be 270 km². It occurs entirely within Kosciuszko National Park.

Regional distribution and habitat

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Australian Alps

Threats

Reductions in snow cover and increases in temperature due to climate change are likely to change this ecological communityÆs composition.
Possible increases in temperature and change to hydraulic regime may facilitate invasion of weed species.
Increases in temperature due to climate change may facilitate the invasion of weed species.
Browsing and trampling by feral deer.
Browsing and trampling by feral horses.
Browsing by hares and increasingly by rabbits as temperatures increase.
Trampling by recreational users.

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

Research to be established to monitor the possible change in community composition and structure due to impacts of climate change.
Collect seed from key species within the community that may be affected by climate change.
Monitor for weed invasion and control weeds if required.