Bryophyte vegetation patterns along environmental gradients in continental bogs

Abstract:Regional analysis of bryophyte vegetation in 65 ombrogenous peatlands from across northern Alberta, are classified into eight vegetation groups based mainly on the dominance pattern of several Sphagnum species and on the occurrence of lichens. Using canonical correspondence analysis, bryophyte vegetation patterns are related to shade and dryness gradients. Surface water chemistry gradients are of less importance. Four ombrogenous landforms, two associated with present-day permafrost and two with areas not having present-day permafrost, are recognized; these are related to allogenic (climatic) factors. The landforms are influential in determining the shade and dryness of individual peatlands, and these two correlated autogenic factors largely control the bryophyte vegetation patterns. Surface water chemistry is less variable in continental bogs than in fens, and is less of a factor than in other wetlands.

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