Distribution of biomass along hummock-hollow gradients: A comparison between a North American and a Scandinavian peat bog

Abstract

This is an attempt to illustrate the universality of cause and effect of the plant interactions in hummock formation. Two bogs, both situated within boreonemoral zone, with comparable structure, but within completly different flora regions, were chosen to test whether the hummock-hollow structures on the surface were functionally comparable. In spite of different history of mires, it was obvious that the mire hummocks were clearly a product of the interactions between Sphagnum mosses and vertically growing dwarf shrubs. The hight of the hummocks on the Meddybemps heath, was probably an effect of the comparatively high productivity of both mosses and dwarf shrubs resulting from nutrient enrichment by fire. The high hummocks were associated with a higher amount of biomass of vertically growing dwarf shrubs. Both sites on the Meddybemps heath had twice as much biomass as the Åkhult mire.