Knowledge Bank

Vegetation and selected ground water characteristics were examined for three closely proximate basin-type bogs in northeastern Ohio. These peatlands exhibit zonation, with a low shrub zone dominated by Chamaedaphne calyculata (Frequency-Presence Index [FPI] 4433) and Decodon verticillatus (FPI 5400) adjacent to and invading the open water. A tall shrub zone, extending aproximately 5 to 10 m to the exterior of the low shrub zone, is dominated by Vaccinium corymbosum (FPI 5533), Gaylussacia baccata (FPI 3133), andNemopanthus mucronatus (FPI 2200). Extending for the next 5 -10 m is a tree zone, dominated by Larix laricina (FPI 800), Betula alieghaniensis (FPI 198), andNyssa sylvatica (FPI 77). Sphagnum recurvum (sensu lato) (FPI 6500) forms a more or less continuous mat throughout the bogs. The vegetation of the three peatlands is similar, with similarity indices (c) ranging from 0.59 to 0.67. Based on pH, conductivity and Ca and Mg ion concentrations, these peatlands are semi-ombrotrophic to weakly minerotrophic. These communities, located near the glacial boundary, represent northern peatlands at the southern edge of glaciation.