Peat-forming bogs and fens of the Snowy Mountains of NSW: Technical Report

Bogs and fens are common in the Snowy Mountains of south-eastern New South Wales and form up to 2.5% of the higher-altitude land cover in Kosciuszko National Park. At lower altitudes, peat deposits beneath extensive sedge fens fill broad valleys on gentle slopes. With increasing altitude, the hummock moss, Sphagnum cristatum, contributes to shrub-rich montane, subalpine and alpine bogs which follow drainage lines and seepage areas on slopes and saddles.

These peatlands are vital areas of moist habitat and are of high scientific significance biogeographically. Additionally, their slowly accumulating peat is an archive of past change in vegetation and fire regimes.