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.
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 Kosciuszko 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.
Habitat and ecology
- 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 distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.