Edition 2 From Forest to Fjaeldmark The Vegetation Communities Moorland, sedgeland and rushland Gymnoschoenus sphaerocephalus Edition 2 From Forest to Fjaeldmark 1 Moorland, sedgeland and rushland Community (Code) Page Buttongrass moorland (undifferentiated) (MBU) 6 Buttongrass moorland with emergent shrubs (MBS) 7 Eastern buttongrass moorland (MBE) 9 Highland grassy sedgeland (MGH) 11 Pure buttongrass moorland (MBP) 13 Restionaceae rushland (MRR) 15 Sparse buttongrass moorland on slopes (MBR) 17 Subalpine Diplarrena latifolia rushland (MDS) 19 Western buttongrass moorland (MBW) 21 Western lowland sedgeland (MSW) 23 General description Buttongrass moorland is highly variable in structure, ranging from low closed sedgeland, through This group contains moorland, rushland and heathland and low open scrub to open woodland. sedgeland predominantly on low-fertility substrates Most communities are treeless, matching most in high rainfall areas. Many of the vegetation closely to graminoid heathland as defined by Specht communities in this group contain Gymnoschoenus (1979). Buttongrass moorland is at the interface of sphaerocephalus; some are dominated by it. Grassy terrestrial and wetland systems, with much of it sedgelands, and the variant of Restionaceae seasonally waterlogged. Some patches meet the sedgeland/rushland found on steep slopes near definition of mire; others can be defined as swamp, Queenstown, seldom contain G. sphaerocephalus bog and fen (Clymo 1983). but may be closely associated with it in mosaics. G. sphaerocephalus is generally absent from Ponds may be well developed in poorly drained lowland/intermediate sedgelands and grassy landscapes, but are generally too small to map sedgelands. separately as Water (OAQ), and are usually mapped as part of the surrounding moorland, Tasmanian buttongrass moorlands cover more than sedgeland and rushland vegetation. a million hectares, chiefly in the cool wet western region of Tasmania below the alpine zone. A State- Buttongrass moorlands are divided into two types, wide survey of buttongrass moorlands by Jarman et both of which can occur on low-nutrient peat soils. al. in 1988 classified this vegetation into a number of “Blanket moorland” is so named because it extends structural and floristic communities. Buttongrass onto slopes, ridges and plateaus and is not restricted moorland is a unique vegetation type in a global to poorly–drained flats or gullies. In situations context: it is the only extensive vegetation type topographically protected by fire, it is often replaced dominated by hummock-forming tussock sedge by scrub and forests. Blanket moorlands are characteristic of low fertility environments and occur (G. sphaerocephalus). The presence of this rosette species, or of the cord rushes (Restionaceae species) widely across western Tasmania. In contrast “Eastern with which it typically associates, defines this moorland” is usually less extensive and is replaced vegetation, although it may be a minor component by other vegetation types where soils are better within some facies of the vegetation. drained. It is often underlain by more fertile substrates such as dolerite. It has its largest extent in Edition 2 From Forest to Fjaeldmark (revised – February 2018) 1 the Central Highlands, but occurs in localised highly pyrogenic, largely because the dead leaves patches widely across eastern Tasmania. hang within and below the canopy and quickly dry after rain (Marsden-Smedley & Catchpole 1995a, b, The buttongrass moorlands of south-west Tasmania Balmer 1991). Fires can burn in this vegetation after are divided into four separate mapping units: MBW, as little as one or two rain-free days, even in winter. MSW, MBR and MBP. Of these, MBW is clearly At some sites, the peat soils on which these defined on floristics. MBR and MSW are not clearly communities occur can dry out and burn, leaving differentiated on species composition either from bare rock; after such an event, regeneration is very each other or from MBW. The differences are in slow (Balmer 1991). relative species abundance and texture on aerial photographs. These communities are important A major threat to these communities is the plant indicators of soil condition. MSW occupies poorly– pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi, which is drained, shallow peats on the large south-west plains particularly damaging to several plant families that (Melaleuca, Louisa, Rowitta) and Tertiary gravel are key components of many of these communities. terraces south of Macquarie Harbour. Vegetation It is widespread in these communities throughout diversity is strongly dependent on fire history. MBR is the State, making areas that are free from the sparse vegetation on steep slopes on quartzite pathogen significant (Schahinger et al. 2003). The mountains and the gravel fans at the base of those most susceptible families Dilleniaceae, Epacridaceae, slopes. It is a fire-induced community on skeletal Fabaceae, Proteaceae and Rutaceae are common peats. and extensive in sedgeland, rushland and moorland communities. Phytophthora cinnamomi reduces Sedgelands (e.g. MGH and MSW) and rushlands (e.g. plant species diversity in infected areas. In extreme MRR and MDS) typically grow on oligotrophic soils cases, it kills most of the woody species, leaving and are adapted to extreme environmental vegetation dominated be sedges and rushes conditions such as drought, waterlogging, fire and (Kirkpatrick & Harris 1999). low nutrients. Many species of the Cyperaceae and Restionaceae are resistant to Phytophthora, which Some areas of this ecological vegetation community has led to an increase in cover of these families in have been degraded by burning followed by stock disease- prone areas; however, the long-term grazing, often resulting in the establishment of impacts of Phytophthora on community structure unpalatable shrubs and, in some cases, conversion to require further investigation (Meney & Pate 1999). species-poor heathland (Kirkpatrick 1991, Balmer 1991). Revision Some buttongrass communities have been identified This section previously included the mapping units as critical habitat for the endangered orange-bellied Sphagnum peatland (MSP) and Alkaline pans (MAP). parrot (Neophema chrysogaster). This species has A decision was made in late 2017 to move these feeding preferences at specific ages for vegetation two units to ‘Saltmarsh and wetlands’ (retaining their after fire and therefore has quite specific names, but recoding respectively to ASP and AAP), management needs (Bryant & Jackson 1999). For as these units were considered a more natural more information refer to Tasmania’s Threatened ecological fit with wetland vegetation and subject to Fauna Handbook and Orange-Bellied Parrot the same broad management actions. The key to Recovery Plan (Orange- Bellied Parrot Recovery this Section has been adjusted to reflect this revision, Team 1998). as has the section name, which now excludes peatlands. References and further reading General management issues Balmer, J. (1991) Buttongrass moorland vegetation. In: Tasmanian Native Bush; A Management Handbook (Ed. Fire is a defining factor for the ecological vegetation Kirkpatrick, J.B.). Tasmanian Environment Centre Inc., communities in this section: both its intensity and Hobart. frequency largely dictates the form of the vegetation. Most of these ecological vegetation communities are Bowman, D.M.J.S., Maclean, A.R. & Crowden, R.K. (1986) early successional stages that will develop into other Vegetation–soil relations in the lowlands of south–west Tasmania. Australian Journal of Ecology. 11, 141–153. vegetation types in the absence of fire (Jackson 1968, Brown & Podger 1982). The vegetation is Edition 2 From Forest to Fjaeldmark (revised – February 2018) 2 Brown, M.J. & Podger, F.D. (1982) Floristics and fire Kirkpatrick, J.B. & Duncan, F. (1987) Distribution, regimes of a vegetation sequence from sedgeland–heath community composition and conservation of Tasmanian to rainforest at Bathurst Harbour, Tasmania. Australian high altitude grassy ecosystems. Australian Journal of Journal of Botany. 30, 659–676. Ecology. 12, 73–86. Brown, M.J. Crowden R.K. & Jarman S.J. (1982) Vegetation Kirkpatrick, J.B. & Harris, S. (1995) The Conservation of of an alkaline pan–acidic peat mosaic in the Hardwood Tasmanian Dry Coastal Vascular Plant Communities. River Valley, Tasmania. Australian Journal of Ecology. 7, 3– Wildlife Scientific Report 95/1. Parks and Wildlife Service, 12. Hobart. Bryant, S.L. & Jackson, J. (1999) Tasmania’s Threatened Kirkpatrick, J.B. & Harris, S. (1999) The Disappearing Heath Fauna Handbook: what, where and how to protect Revisited. Tasmanian Environment Centre Inc., Hobart. Tasmania’s threatened animals. Threatened Species Unit, Macphail, M.K., Pemberton, M. & Jacobson, G. (1999) Peat Parks and Wildlife Service, Hobart. mounds of southwest Tasmania: possible origins. Clymo, R.S. (1983) Peat. In: Mires: Swamp, Bog, Fen and Australian Journal of Earth Science. 46, 667–677. Moor. Ecosystems of the World, 4a. (Ed. Gore, A.J.P) Marsden–Smedley, J.B. & Catchpole, W.R. (1995a) Fire Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp.159–224. Modelling in Tasmanian buttongrass moorlands I. Fuel Corbett, S. (1995) Vegetation of the Central Plateau– characteristics. International Journal of Wildland Fire. 5, Western Tasmanian World Heritage Area. Wildlife Report 203–214. 95/3. Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Marsden–Smedley, J.B. & Catchpole, W.R. (1995b) Fire Environment and Land Management, Hobart. Modelling in Tasmanian