The wetlands in Namadgi National Park have been officially listed as ‘endangered’ following advice from the ACT Scientific Committee.
Minister for Environment and Heritage, Mick Gentleman said that after considering the Committee’s advice he had added ‘High Country Bogs and Associated Fens’ to the ACT Threatened Ecological Communities List.
“Namadgi’s bogs and fens are home to the critically endangered Northern Corroboree Frogs,” Mr Gentleman said. “Bogs are also habitat for native Broad-toothed Rats, Alpine Tree Frogs, Reik’s Crayfish and Alpine Spiny Crayfish.”
He said the wetlands played a significant and important role in filtering water that flowed into the Lower Cotter Catchment area, ACT’s main source of drinking water.
“These ecosystems are fragile and susceptible to increased temperatures and altered rainfall patterns caused by climate change,” the Minister said.
He said an action plan would now be developed to engage with the NSW Government on cross-border management of Australia’s high country.
“This will include discussing the risks posed by feral horses entering Namadgi National Park from Kosciuszko National Park due to the NSW Government’s decision to protect feral horses.”
Mr Gentleman said hooved animals such as feral horses, deer and pigs could destroy critical habitat and degrade the water quality by trampling or wallowing.
He said high country bogs and fens were ecosystems that occurred along high country streams, drainage lines, valley edges and valley floors more than 720 metres above sea level in the ACT.
He said they were permanently waterlogged and typically had no trees due to the strong, cold winds that sweep the area.
