Bogs

Question 1

Defining characteristics

Answer 1

• > 30 cm of peat
• Ombrogenous: recieves no other water than precipitation
• Open bog or wooded bog

Question 2

Hydrology: diplothelmic structure

Answer 2

• Acrotelm: active layer, occurs above the lowest level of the water table, between 5-50 cm thick
• Catotelm: inactive layer, constantly anoxic, up to 20 m thick

Question 3

Hydrology: Water budget

Answer 3

Input: P

Output: ET, So, Go

see slide 41

Question 4

Biogeochemistry

Answer 4

• pH is less variable (3.0 - 4.5)

• Very deficient in available plant nutrients
–Created by Sphagnum’s high cation exchange capacity
–Productivity is very low
–Plants, animals, and microbes have special adaptations
–Atmospheric N depositions have a big impact in nutrient budget

Question 5

Vegetation

Answer 5

• Black spruce (Picea)

• Ericaceous shrubs:
Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium)

• Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)
• Peat moss (Sphagnum sp.)