Vegetation of montane bogs in east-flowing catchments of northern New England, New South Wales

Abstract

The floristics of the montane bogs in east-flowing catchments of northern New England, north-eastern New South Wales (lat 28° 47'–31° 25' S; long 151° 50'–152° 30' E), are described from 62 full floristic survey sites (20 x 20 m in area). Eight vegetation communities are based on flexible UPGMA analysis of cover-abundance scores of vascular plant taxa. Shrub species make up 26% of the flora and herb species 69%, with the remaining taxa trees, climbers or vines. Shrub species were of little diagnostic value, as a few common dominants were shared across most communities. The herbaceous layer was found to be of better circumscriptive value. Communities described (based on dominant herbaceous species) are: (1) 'Themeda australis' – 'Gonocarpus micranthus', (2) 'Baumea articulata' – 'Baloskion stenocoleum', (3) 'Lepidosperma limicola' – 'Baloskion stenocoleum', (4) 'Baloskion fimbriatum' – 'Lomandra longifolia', (5) 'Lepyrodia scariosa' – 'Blandfordia grandiflora', (6) 'Lepidosperma gunnii' – 'Lepidosperma scariosa', (7) 'Baloskion stenocoleum' – 'Empodisma minus', (8) 'Lepidosperma limicola' – 'Xyris operculata'. The mean annual moisture index was found to account for 26% of the variation in species density. These montane bog systems are some of the richest in Australia, with a high number of rare and restricted taxa. They are vulnerable to both present land use practices and future changes in climate, are restricted in area, and need further conservation efforts to ensure their long-term survival.