A floristic data set spanning 15 years was compiled from vegetation surveys of
Sphagnum peatlands across Tasmania. The data were
ordinated by hybrid multi-dimensional scaling and a three-dimensional solution
was most satisfactory. The strongest floristic gradient corresponded to
changes in altitude and moisture. Original data were included from
Sphagnum peatlands outside their commonly recorded
altitudinal, geologic and geographic ranges. Several new types of
Sphagnum peatland are described. While many of
Tasmania’s subalpine and alpine Sphagnum peatlands
are protected within reserves, this is not the case for montane and lowland
Sphagnum peatlands. During the past decade, the pressure
on Sphagnum peatlands outside the Tasmanian reserve
system has continued to increase. Threats such as
Sphagnum-moss harvesting, peat mining, burning, grazing
and forestry operations have an impact on both the number and condition of
Sphagnum peatlands.
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