Sphagnum peatlands of Australasia: An assessment of harvesting sustainability

Abstract

Sphagnum peatlands make up only a small fraction of the Gondwanic landscape when compared to Laurasian deposits. However, they are a distinctive and unusual habitat. This paper describes the biogeography of Sphagnum species and the distribution of Sphagnum peatlands in Australasia. Methods used and problems encountered in estimating Sphagnum growth rates are outlined. Growth rates for Sphagnum species are presented and factors affecting growth rates are suggested. The sustainability of Sphagnum harvesting is influenced by altitude, shade, watertable level and reseeding. The general decline in both growth rates and the recovery of the moss ecosystem after harvesting increases with altitude. This has ramifications for harvesting, management and conservation. As there is variability in recovery after moss harvesting, we outline methods that may assist recovery of harvested sites. The adequacacy of reservation of Sphagnum peatlands is addressed. This is pertinent as the conservation of Sphagnum peatlands is likely to be affected by drainage, burning, grazing, trampling, moss harvesting and peat mining.