Initiation of Sphagnum moss hummocks in bogs and the presence of vascular plants: Is there a link?

Pouliot, Rémy; Rochefort, Line; Karofeld, Edgar; Mercier, Claire

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2011.04.001

Cited by 52 publications

(48 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The cover of S. fuscum was quite stable on the restoration sites during the first 3 years. The further growth and cover of Sphagnum mosses could be facilitated via creating better microclimate, reducing frost heave, providing support and ladder effect by the vascular plants, especially Ericaceae and E. vaginatum, established on restoration areas (McNeil and Waddington 2003;Pouliot et al, 2011;Laberge et al 2013). Vascular plants will also initiate the formation of hummocks, thereby further supporting the growth of S. fuscum (Robroek et al 2009;Hájek and Beckett 2008;Pouliot et al 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Factors affecting re-vegetation dynamics of experimentally restored extracted peatland in Estonia

Karofeld

Müür

Vellak

2015

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Increasing human activity continues to threaten peatlands, and as the area of natural mires declines, our obligation is to restore their ecosystem functions. Several restoration strategies have been developed for restoration of extracted peatlands, including "The moss layer transfer method", which was initiated on the Tässi extracted peatland in central Estonia in May 2012. Three-year study shows that despite the fluctuating water table, rainfall events can compensate for the insufficient moisture for mosses. Total plant cover on the restoration area attained 70 %, of which ~60 % is comprised of target species-Sphagnum mosses. From restoration treatments, spreading of plant fragments had a significant positive effect on the cover of bryophyte and vascular plants. Higher water table combined with higher plant fragments spreading density and stripping of oxidised peat layer affected positively the cover of targeted Sphagnum species. The species composition in the restoration area became similar to that in the donor site in a natural bog. Based on results, it was concluded that the method approved for restoration in North America gives good results also in the restoration of extracted peatland towards re-establishment of bog vegetation under northern European conditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Factors affecting re-vegetation dynamics of experimentally restored extracted peatland in Estonia

Karofeld

Müür

Vellak

2015

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…rubellum was positively correlated with the standing crop of C. vulgaris in the blanket bogs of the Pennine Hills in northern England. High levels of relative humidity, reduced irradiance and a narrower temperature range caused by a cover of vascular plants provide optimal growing conditions for Sphagnum species (Harley et al 1989;Pouliot et al 2011). Even dead ericoid shrubs can limit air movement and increase the thickness of the boundary layer enough for relative humidity to be raised (Pouliot et al 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of red deer management on cryptogam ecology in vegetation typical of north west Scotland

Moore

Crawley

2013

Plant Ecology & Diversity

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Background: An understanding of the effects of red deer on bryophyte and lichen communities in wet heath and bog vegetation typical of northwest Scotland is important so that land managers can make more informed decisions concerning deer numbers. Aims: To compare various measures of cryptogam species diversity inside and outside a number of established deer exclosures at the Letterewe and Little Gruinard estates, Wester Ross, Scotland. Methods: Species cover data were recorded from 192 2 m × 2 m quadrats allocated to 32 blocks and assigned to nine exclosures of different ages with due attention to randomisation. Linear mixed effects models were fitted to the data. Results: In the short to medium term there was no significant difference in cryptogam dominance, diversity and species richness on either side of the exclosures. However, Cladonia lichens responded to a lack of trampling and were significantly more abundant inside exclosures. Greater Calluna vulgaris cover in the absence of a large herbivore is likely to have created conditions that promote the growth of Sphagnum capillifolium ssp. rubellum and this in turn increased the habitat available for several liverworts. Conclusions: The upper limit of deer numbers deemed appropriate for reducing loss of Calluna cover in wet heath vegetation is set too high to prevent impact on important cryptogam communities.

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“…The usefulness of vascular plants in hummock formation and maintenance seems important, especially in drier continental climates (Pouliot et al. ). Vascular plants can provide both protection and scaffolding for Sphagnum growth (Rydin & Jeglum ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initiation of microtopography in re‐vegetated cutover peatlands: evolution of plant species composition

Pouliot

Rochefort

Karofeld

2011

Applied Vegetation Science

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Questions How has plant species composition changed following initiation of microstructures in re‐vegetated cutover peatlands? How many years are required for plant species composition of re‐vegetated cutover peatlands to resemble natural boreal bogs? Location Newly formed Sphagnum carpets on restored, cutover peatlands (in Canada) or re‐vegetated spontaneously after site abandonment (in Estonia) and on undisturbed natural bogs nearby. Methods Plant frequencies (point intercept method) and abundances (vegetation quadrats) were assessed along linear transects. At each assessment point, moss surface height was measured relative to a local reference point (lowest point on a given transect) to associate frequencies or abundances to a position in the gradient of microtopography. PCAs (separately for Canada and Estonia) were conducted to follow evolution of plant species frequency in the gradient of microtopography in re‐vegetated sites and similarity with those of natural peatlands. In Canada, regressions were also performed to estimate relationships between moss surface height and vascular plant cover (ericaceous shrubs and Cyperaceae) as well as time required for vascular plant cover to become similar to that of natural bogs. Results Species composition was still dissimilar to microstructures of natural bogs 10 yr post‐restoration and 70 yr post‐abandonment; however, some trends were observed in re‐vegetated peatlands. The greatest differences were for ericaceous species (two‐ to three‐fold less abundant in re‐vegetated peatlands), dominant Cyperaceae, and relative proportions of Sphagnum. In addition, hummock formation was closely related to dense (>50%) ericaceous cover. Conclusions All species tolerant to abiotic conditions prevailing in re‐vegetated sites contributed to initiation of microtopography, although some species were found in atypical positions within the gradient of microtopography. Random events and establishment priority seemed initially to be more important in temporal evolution of microstructures than plant interactions. However, ecological restoration could effectively reduced time needed for species occurrences to approach those in natural peatlands, relative to time required for recovery of spontaneously re‐vegetated peat extraction sites.

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Initiation of Sphagnum moss hummocks in bogs and the presence of vascular plants: Is there a link?

Cited by 52 publications

References 36 publications

Factors affecting re-vegetation dynamics of experimentally restored extracted peatland in Estonia

Factors affecting re-vegetation dynamics of experimentally restored extracted peatland in Estonia

The impact of red deer management on cryptogam ecology in vegetation typical of north west Scotland

Initiation of microtopography in re‐vegetated cutover peatlands: evolution of plant species composition

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