Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00045:body:0:p8
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00045
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 19970–23108

2012). The other keystone bog species are shrubs, some of which only regenerate from seed after fire and others that regenerate by resprouting (Walsh and McDougall, 2004). These shrubs have varying recovery times after fire, and this combined with hydrology, drives the dynamics of the ecological community.

Tasmanian Sphagnum bogs have floristic affinities with mainland bog communities at the genus and family level, including some key species such as Empodisma minus and Carex gaudichaudiana. The Tasmanian endemics Richea gunnii and R. scoparia are the major bog epacrids in Tasmania (Whinam et al., 2001).

Further information on the characteristic flora of the ecological community can be found in the Commonwealth Listing Advice and 'Background information for the Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens National Recovery Plan'.

EPBC Threatened Flora found in the ecological community

There are several EPBC-listed threatened species occurring within the ecological community, some of these are also listed under the relevant State legislation. The Bogong eyebright (Euphrasia eichleri) is endemic to Victoria but is restricted to alpine and subalpine vegetation between the Bogong High Plains and Mt. Bogong, and possibly the Dargo High Plains.

The swamp everlasting (Xerochrysum palustre), listed as Vulnerable, is a widely distributed but rare herbaceous daisy that occurs in a variety of habitats including highland Sphagnum bogs. Its habitat extends to wet sites, mostly at lower altitude but can extend into the alpine area in a few places. It is not clear how important the ecological community is for this species.

Additionally, the Kiandra greenhood (Pterostylis oreophila), Bago leek orchid (Prasophyllum bagoensis), Brandy Mary's leek orchid (Prasophyllum innubum) and Kelton's leek-orchid (Prasophyllum keltonii) are orchid species listed as critically endangered, and are likely to occur in the ecological community. The latter three orchids are found in areas of the ecological community that occur outside of the Kosciusko National Park on Forestry leasehold land. They are seriously threatened by landuse practices (G. Hope, pers.comm. 2014).

2.3  Fauna

The Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens ecological community is known to provide significant habitat for a number of endemic and threatened fauna species. These include the nationally-listed critically endangered southern and northern Corroboree frogs (Pseudophryne corroboree and Pseudophryne pengilleyi, respectively) and the endangered Baw Baw frog (Philoria frosti) uses this environment for both breeding and hibernation. The Alpine tree frog (Litoria verreauxii alpina), listed as vulnerable, also uses the ecological community for breeding.

Several species of skinks are also known to use habitat in the ecological community. These include the nationally endangered Alpine she-oak skink (Cyclodomorphus praealtus), the Alpine water skink (Eulamprus kosciuskoi) and the Alpine bog skink (Pseudomoia cryodroma), which are listed critically endangered and endangered respectively under the Advisory List of Threatened Vertebrate fauna (VDSE,