The Moanatuatua Scientific Reserve represents the last 125 ha remnant of approximately 50,000 ha of restiad peat bog that once blanketed low lying areas of the Hamilton Ecological District. These lowland bogs are unique because they are dominated by rush-like plants belonging to the southern hemisphere Restoniaceae family, rather than the usual sphagnum moss and ericaceous species. Difficult to access, vulnerable to disturbance and home to a number of rare and threatened plants, here we will see Sporodanthus and Epacris pauciflora. Fernbird are also present.

Grade: Easy
Meet: Ohaupo (please contact Kerry Jones for details)

(Image shows scientific equipment installed by the University of Waikato at Moanatuatua Peat bog, with bog vegetation in the background. Visit http://waiber.com/2015/04/16/moanatuatua/ for more information)