Provide an overview of the following vegetation communities and what makes them unique
The communities of Feldmark, Herb fields and Bogs and fens are significiant to the Kosciusko Main Range as Snowgums are not as commonly seen above elevations of 1830m (Costin et al., 1980, p. 70).
The Taller Alpine Herb fields, in the form of the Celmisia - Poa alliance are the most common vegetation community across Koscuisko Main Range Area.
A number of species in the Kosciusko Alpine Area are endemic to the area, meaning it’s the only place they can be found.
Costin et al. (1980) states in the Kosciusko Alpine Flora book that (p. 47)
“We have adopted the compromise approach of using the following general terms which will be familiar to most people: fern-like, fern, rush, sedge, grass, mat, cushion, herb, dwarf shrub, subshrub and shrub”. I feel that I will take this approach with my own long walk group.
• Feldmark
The Feldmark vegetation area includes dwarf plants that are quite special to grow in areas that are very windy areas and areas of snowdrift on the leeward side of slopes.
Focus:
Epacris microphylla
Coral heath is a shrub that height differs depending on where it’s situated. It lasts longer in leeward slopes than windward. It grows in alpine and subalpine areas. It has white flowers. (Costin et al., 1980, p. 211).
Costermans (2009) explains this species to be in dry heaths and the flowers are short (p. 256).
Ewartia nubigena
This species, the Silver Ewartia is silvery-grey and a subshrub. It forms matting.
Costin et al. (1980) articulates that the Ewartia is impoartnt to the feldmark communities because it helps keep less areas bare in the TAH (p. 369).
Coprosma sp. F2 (Endemic)
Epilobium tasmanicum
As it name Snow willow-herb suggests this herb can be found underneath snow patches (Costin et al., 1980, p. 196).
It has 8 white petals when it flowers. This species assists in covering up areas that have been disturbed or eroded.
• Bogs and fens
Fen occur in permanently wet areas and valley bogs do too except in acidic areas. Raised bogs are in wet and acidic in valley edges and springs on hillsides.
Focus:
Carex gaudichaudiana
Is a part of the Sedgeland and is a fen species. (NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, 2014)
Their leaves are dark green and it’s dominant in fen and bogs. This species form peats that are compact. Costin (1980) researched that some of the peats on glacial areas are around 15 000 years old (p. 147).
Richea continentis
Occurs in the raised bog areas and is a subshrub. It’s common name is Candle heath.
Bogs need this species. It’s leaves made it quite recognised because they are sharp and they have creamy white flowers. (Costin et al., 1980, p. 209).
• Herbfields
Tall alpine herbfields (TAH) occurs on regular sites and other type that only occurs at rock faces, boulders and cervices. Short alpine herbfields (SAH) occurs underneath snow patches and on wet and slighty bare places.
Focus:
Caltha introloba
It’s common name is Alpine marsh-marigold. This species is a herb and it has many flowers that are smell sweet. It grows in the alpine area and is found in the SAH.
Costin (1980) explains that an interesting thing about this species is its flowers will open when still covered in snow (p. 173).
Luzula acutifola
The Luzula acutifola is an dwarf perennial , which is lives for more than two years and it is endemic to the Kosciusko alpine areas. It is found in wet sites in SAH.
(Costin et al., 1980, p. 153)
Blechnum pennamarina
This species is a fern and it’s also known as the Alpine water-fern. As it names suggests it can be found nearby streams. However it also is widespread in the alpine area and occurs in the TAH.
(Costin et al., 1980, p. 115)
• Tree line community
The tree line community consists of:
Savanna Woodland, Dry Sclerophyll Forest, Wet Sclerophyll Forest, Subalpine Woodland and Alpine Communities.
Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophilia
This is the Snow Gum species that see between 1500 - 1800m and even above 1800m. It’s part of the Sallee species. This species mostly glaucous, it’s silvery (Costermans, 2006, p. 64).
Eucalyptus viminalis
The Manna Gum species
Very commonly spread species and often spotted with gums (Costermans, 2006, p. 56). It’s so variable that determining it’s taxonomy is often difficult.
Eucalyptus radiate subsp. robertsonii
The Narrow-leafed Peppermint
Their bark is persistent all over the tree. Their leaves are grey-green or silvery.
(Costermans, 2006, p. 92-93)
Eucalyptus delegatensis
Alpine Ash
The Alpine Ash is the tallest growing in Kosciusko Alpine Flora (Costin et al., 1980, p. 69). They germinate best in colder grounds (Costermans, 2006, p. 99)
References:
Costermans, L. (2006). Trees of Victoria and Adjoining Areas (6th Ed). Frankston, Victoria: Costermans Publishing.
Costin, A.B., Gray, M., Totterdell, C.J., & Wimbush, D.J. (1980). Kosciusko Alpine Flora. Sydney: CSIRO/Collins.
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. (2014). Carex Sedgeland. Retrieved from
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=20262
The communities of Feldmark, Herb fields and Bogs and fens are significiant to the Kosciusko Main Range as Snowgums are not as commonly seen above elevations of 1830m (Costin et al., 1980, p. 70).
The Taller Alpine Herb fields, in the form of the Celmisia - Poa alliance are the most common vegetation community across Koscuisko Main Range Area.
A number of species in the Kosciusko Alpine Area are endemic to the area, meaning it’s the only place they can be found.
Costin et al. (1980) states in the Kosciusko Alpine Flora book that (p. 47)
“We have adopted the compromise approach of using the following general terms which will be familiar to most people: fern-like, fern, rush, sedge, grass, mat, cushion, herb, dwarf shrub, subshrub and shrub”. I feel that I will take this approach with my own long walk group.
• Feldmark
The Feldmark vegetation area includes dwarf plants that are quite special to grow in areas that are very windy areas and areas of snowdrift on the leeward side of slopes.
Focus:
Epacris microphylla
Coral heath is a shrub that height differs depending on where it’s situated. It lasts longer in leeward slopes than windward. It grows in alpine and subalpine areas. It has white flowers. (Costin et al., 1980, p. 211).
Costermans (2009) explains this species to be in dry heaths and the flowers are short (p. 256).
Ewartia nubigena
This species, the Silver Ewartia is silvery-grey and a subshrub. It forms matting.
Costin et al. (1980) articulates that the Ewartia is impoartnt to the feldmark communities because it helps keep less areas bare in the TAH (p. 369).
Coprosma sp. F2 (Endemic)
Epilobium tasmanicum
As it name Snow willow-herb suggests this herb can be found underneath snow patches (Costin et al., 1980, p. 196).
It has 8 white petals when it flowers. This species assists in covering up areas that have been disturbed or eroded.
• Bogs and fens
Fen occur in permanently wet areas and valley bogs do too except in acidic areas. Raised bogs are in wet and acidic in valley edges and springs on hillsides.
Focus:
Carex gaudichaudiana
Is a part of the Sedgeland and is a fen species. (NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, 2014)
Their leaves are dark green and it’s dominant in fen and bogs. This species form peats that are compact. Costin (1980) researched that some of the peats on glacial areas are around 15 000 years old (p. 147).
Richea continentis
Occurs in the raised bog areas and is a subshrub. It’s common name is Candle heath.
Bogs need this species. It’s leaves made it quite recognised because they are sharp and they have creamy white flowers. (Costin et al., 1980, p. 209).
• Herbfields
Tall alpine herbfields (TAH) occurs on regular sites and other type that only occurs at rock faces, boulders and cervices. Short alpine herbfields (SAH) occurs underneath snow patches and on wet and slighty bare places.
Focus:
Caltha introloba
It’s common name is Alpine marsh-marigold. This species is a herb and it has many flowers that are smell sweet. It grows in the alpine area and is found in the SAH.
Costin (1980) explains that an interesting thing about this species is its flowers will open when still covered in snow (p. 173).
Luzula acutifola
The Luzula acutifola is an dwarf perennial , which is lives for more than two years and it is endemic to the Kosciusko alpine areas. It is found in wet sites in SAH.
(Costin et al., 1980, p. 153)
Blechnum pennamarina
This species is a fern and it’s also known as the Alpine water-fern. As it names suggests it can be found nearby streams. However it also is widespread in the alpine area and occurs in the TAH.
(Costin et al., 1980, p. 115)
• Tree line community
The tree line community consists of:
Savanna Woodland, Dry Sclerophyll Forest, Wet Sclerophyll Forest, Subalpine Woodland and Alpine Communities.
Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophilia
This is the Snow Gum species that see between 1500 - 1800m and even above 1800m. It’s part of the Sallee species. This species mostly glaucous, it’s silvery (Costermans, 2006, p. 64).
Eucalyptus viminalis
The Manna Gum species
Very commonly spread species and often spotted with gums (Costermans, 2006, p. 56). It’s so variable that determining it’s taxonomy is often difficult.
Eucalyptus radiate subsp. robertsonii
The Narrow-leafed Peppermint
Their bark is persistent all over the tree. Their leaves are grey-green or silvery.
(Costermans, 2006, p. 92-93)
Eucalyptus delegatensis
Alpine Ash
The Alpine Ash is the tallest growing in Kosciusko Alpine Flora (Costin et al., 1980, p. 69). They germinate best in colder grounds (Costermans, 2006, p. 99)
References:
Costermans, L. (2006). Trees of Victoria and Adjoining Areas (6th Ed). Frankston, Victoria: Costermans Publishing.
Costin, A.B., Gray, M., Totterdell, C.J., & Wimbush, D.J. (1980). Kosciusko Alpine Flora. Sydney: CSIRO/Collins.
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. (2014). Carex Sedgeland. Retrieved from
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedSpeciesApp/profile.aspx?id=20262