The Relationship Between Ohio Peatland Distribution and Buried River Valleys

Abstract

From field, herbarium and literature surveys, 114 historical and extant Ohio peatlands were located. These peatlands, classified as either bog or fen communities, were plotted on U.S.G.S. topographic quadrangles, the glacial map of Ohio, the map of the Teays-age drainage in Ohio, and the map of buried river valleys in Ohio. These bog and fen communities are restricted to the areas glaciated by the Wisconsinan advances. While the distribution of Ohio peatlands is complex, approximately 50% occur on kame and esker complexes. Ninety-three (82%) of 114 peatlands investigated occur on or near buried pre-glacial river valleys.