Contrasting pathways to ombrotrophy in three raised bogs from Ireland and Cumbria, England
Contrasting pathways to ombrotrophy in three raised bogs from Ireland and Cumbria, England
The plant macrofossil records from three raised bogs from western and central Ireland and from Cumbria were compared to investigate variations in the character and timing of the fen-bog transition (FBT). Two modes of raised or ombrotrophic peat formation were recognized. In the first mode the transition develops through a sedge-fen stage directly to raised-bog lawn, maintaining a near surface water table throughout the FBT (Abbeyknockmoy Bog). The second mode is characterized by a switch from fen or reedswamp to a dry Eriophorum-dominated mire type, suggestive of low or unstable water tables (Mongan Bog and Bolton Fell Moss). Comparisons with the Holocene effective precipitation record suggest that the type of transition and its timing may be affected by the prevailing climate regime. All that is required for ombrotrophy is a separation of the growing peat surface from the influence of ground and surface waters. This separation may be achieved by rapid peat accumulation in a moist climate, the accumulation of decay-resistant Eriophorum vaginatum hummocks or by a lowering of the water table, leading to a 'perched peat bed'. In the latter two cases, a 'pseudo-raised bog' community often persists, laying down highly humified peat, until increased oceanicity enables Sphagnum to dominate.
mire development, fen-bog transition, hydroseral succession, holocene, plant macrofossils, peat stratigraphy, climatic change
65-77
Hughes, P.D.M.
14f83168-b203-4a91-a850-8c48535dc31b
Barber, K.E.
83d1acae-326d-4cb5-94b6-3d1dc78d64e9
2004
Hughes, P.D.M.
14f83168-b203-4a91-a850-8c48535dc31b
Barber, K.E.
83d1acae-326d-4cb5-94b6-3d1dc78d64e9
Hughes, P.D.M. and Barber, K.E.
(2004)
Contrasting pathways to ombrotrophy in three raised bogs from Ireland and Cumbria, England.
The Holocene, 14 (1), .
(doi:10.1191/0959683604hl690rp).
Abstract
The plant macrofossil records from three raised bogs from western and central Ireland and from Cumbria were compared to investigate variations in the character and timing of the fen-bog transition (FBT). Two modes of raised or ombrotrophic peat formation were recognized. In the first mode the transition develops through a sedge-fen stage directly to raised-bog lawn, maintaining a near surface water table throughout the FBT (Abbeyknockmoy Bog). The second mode is characterized by a switch from fen or reedswamp to a dry Eriophorum-dominated mire type, suggestive of low or unstable water tables (Mongan Bog and Bolton Fell Moss). Comparisons with the Holocene effective precipitation record suggest that the type of transition and its timing may be affected by the prevailing climate regime. All that is required for ombrotrophy is a separation of the growing peat surface from the influence of ground and surface waters. This separation may be achieved by rapid peat accumulation in a moist climate, the accumulation of decay-resistant Eriophorum vaginatum hummocks or by a lowering of the water table, leading to a 'perched peat bed'. In the latter two cases, a 'pseudo-raised bog' community often persists, laying down highly humified peat, until increased oceanicity enables Sphagnum to dominate.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: 2004
Additional Information:
This paper is a development of research on the fen-bog transition (FBT). The palaeoecological data demonstrate that there are at least three distinctive pathways to raised bog initiation in oceanic regions. The findings are important for bog conservation/restoration and for the interpretation of peat-based palaeoclimate records.
Keywords:
mire development, fen-bog transition, hydroseral succession, holocene, plant macrofossils, peat stratigraphy, climatic change
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 15521
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/15521
ISSN: 0959-6836
PURE UUID: e28a055e-0f75-4111-b7f1-401fab7d013c
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 20 Apr 2005
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 03:02
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
K.E. Barber
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
