Peatlands Flashcards
1
Q
Tropical peatlands
A
- 11% of total peatland area
- 56% in SE Asia
- One of the highest carbon densities of all ecosystems
- 20% of C from peatland soils
- 5-6% of global soil C
- High peat accumulation rates (6-13 mm yr-1)
- Been forming since 3,000 to 13,000 years before present
- Peat thickness > 20 m, average 5 m
2
Q
Boreal peatlands
A
- One of the most studied wetland types
- Vast areas in temperate climates
- Mainly located in Canada, Northern Europe, and Russia
- Some in Argentina and New Zealand
3
Q
Boreal peatlands
Unique biota
A
- Carnivorous plants
- Mosses dominate
- Sphagnum - the keystone species, environmental engineer
4
Q
Boreal peatlands
Economic importance
A
- Agriculture (71% of German peatlands)
- Forestry
- Energy and heat (Fuel for heat and power)
- Horticultural substrate (Berry production, Sphagnum farming)
- Other uses (Whiskey, balneology)
5
Q
Boreal peatlands
Successional patterns
A
•Paludufication
–Development of peat over previously less wet mineral ground
–Dominant process
•Terrestrialization (Infilling)
–Peat develops on the margins of lakes, ponds, or slow-flowing rivers
see slide 22-31
6
Q
PEATLANDS - Fen VS Bogs
HYDROLOGY
A
FEN
Geogenous – other hydr. flows besides P
BOGS
Ombrogenous - “rain-fed”
7
Q
PEATLANDS - Fen VS Bogs
BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
A
FEN
Minerotrophic - rich in nutrients, pH 4.3-7
BOGS
Ombrotrophic - poor in nutrients, acidic pH 3.8
8
Q
PEATLANDS - Fen VS Bogs
VEGETATION
A
FEN
More diverse, grasses, sedges and brown mosses
BOGS
Ericaceous shrubs, woolgrass, Sphagnum
