Groundwater chemistry and vegetation of gradients from rich fen to poor fen in the Naardermeer (the Netherlands)

Vegetatio ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 117-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Wassen ◽  
A. Barendregt ◽  
M. C. Bootsma ◽  
P. P. Schot
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Groundwater Chemistry ◽  
Rich Fen ◽  
Poor Fen

scholarly journals Impact of local- and regional-scale restoration measures on a vulnerable rich fen in the Naardermeer nature reserve (the Netherlands)

Plant Ecology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 221 (10) ◽  
pp. 893-911
Author(s):  
Annegreet Veeken ◽  
Martin J. Wassen
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Vegetation Composition ◽  
Atmospheric N Deposition ◽  
Rich Fen ◽  
Poor Fen ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Restoration Measures

Abstract Restoration of rich fens is commonly attempted through local-scale measures, such as removal of sod or blockage of ditches. However, regional-scale restoration measures, that aim to re-establish the original hydrology in which rich fens developed, might have a more long-lasting effect. We investigated the effect of local- and regional-scale restoration measures on a vulnerable rich fen in the Naardermeer nature reserve in the Netherlands. We compared water quality and vegetation composition of the fen before and after the restoration measures, almost 30 years apart. Overall rich fen species increased and although this indicates the desired increased supply of fresh mineral-rich groundwater to the fen, continued succession towards poor fen vegetation has not been prevented in the entire fen. Despite sod layer removal, we observed an increase in a Polytrichum-dominated vegetation in patches that are primarily fed by rainwater. Our findings confirm results from a previous study which showed that brackish palaeo-groundwater is still contributing substantially to the water balance of the fen, especially in periods of precipitation deficit. We conclude that the local- and regional-scale restoration measures have been successful in increasing the abundance of rich fen species in parts of the fen. However, considering the pressures of climate change and high atmospheric N-deposition on the fen, it is uncertain whether rich fen species can be sustained in quite nutrient-poor conditions in the future. Therefore, there is a need for continued management that keeps the nutrient-poor and mineral-rich conditions of the fen intact.

A paleoecological analysis of a southern permafrost peatland, Charlevoix, Quebec

2001 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 909-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Zimmermann ◽  
Claude Lavoie
Keyword(s):  
Peat Deposit ◽  
Rich Fen ◽  
Ecological Information ◽  
Macrofossil Analysis ◽  
Poor Fen ◽  
History Of

The southernmost site where permafrost has been located in the Quebec–Labrador peninsula is in a peatland on the subalpine summit of Lac des Cygnes Mountain (47°41'N, 70°36'W). Because of the thickness of its peat deposit, this site contains rich ecological information about the history of the peatland and its surrounding subalpine environment. We conducted a detailed macrofossil analysis to reconstruct the 6000-year history of the peatland. In general, the development of the Lac des Cygnes Mountain peatland has followed the classic succession of rich fen – poor fen – bog found in other peatlands in subarctic, boreal, and temperate environments. An abrupt decline in all tree macrofossils ca. 4000 BP suggests that a major deforestation event occurred on the summit of Lac des Cygnes Mountain. The exact cause of this deforestation event is unknown, but fire is a possible factor. The lack of absolute chronological resolution near the top of the macrofossil record precludes proper dating of permafrost inception, but the balance of evidence appears to indicate that the permafrost is modern.

Decomposition along a bog to rich fen gradient in central Alberta, Canada

1996 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony R. Szumigalski ◽  
Suzanne E. Bayley
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
N Content ◽  
Rich Fen ◽  
Substrate Quality ◽  
Weight Losses ◽  
Poor Fen ◽  
Carex Lasiocarpa ◽  
C And N

The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) contents and decomposition rates of the aboveground litter were measured in five peatlands (bog, poor fen, open moderately rich fen, wooded moderately rich fen, and lacustrine sedge fen) in central Alberta, Canada, over a period of 2 years. Decay rates and C and N content of the dominant species were measured at each site. Weight losses after 1 and 2 years were negatively correlated with initial and final C/N ratios. Weight losses were positively correlated with initial and final %N, with the fastest weight losses in the species with the highest N content. Rates of decay within sites differed according to litter types, with Carex > Betula > mosses. Decay rates and C and N content were also determined for a standard litter type (Carex lasiocarpa), to make cross-site comparisons. Standard litter weight losses differed between sites after 1 and 2 years of decay. The sites ranked poor fen > wooded–rich fen > bog > open–rich fen > sedge fen in order of greatest to smallest percent weight loss after 2 years. After 1 year, weight loss of the standard litter was negatively correlated with water level and pH-related parameters and positively correlated with total dissolved P. Decomposition was correlated with both substrate quality and environmental parameters, but the former may be more important than the latter in controlling decomposition in these peatlands. Keywords: decomposition, peatlands, carbon, nitrogen, hydrology, water chemistry.

Distribution and habitat niches of 37 peatland Cyperaceae species across a broad geographic range in Canada

2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 1292-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
L D Gignac ◽  
R Gauthier ◽  
L Rochefort ◽  
J Bubier
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Chemistry ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Response Surfaces ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Surface Water Chemistry ◽  
Rich Fen ◽  
Poor Fen ◽  
Shade Tolerant Species

The presence and absence of 37 Cyperaceae species found on 498 peatlands across Canada were examined along surface water chemistry, shade, height above the water table, and climatic gradients. A canonical correspondence analysis of the species distribution along the environmental gradients indicated that surface water chemistry and climate were highly correlated with the first and second axes and were the two most important gradients distinguishing among groups. The climatic gradient was further subdivided into western oceanic continental and eastern oceanic continental gradients. Height above the water table and shade were correlated to the third canonical correspondence analysis axis and were of secondary importance in explaining species distributions. A TWINSPAN analysis of the species separated them into eight groups: (1) widespread, obligate rich fen, wet, shade-tolerant species; (2) widespread rich fen preferential species; (3) continental and eastern oceanic, rich fen preferential, wet, shade-intolerant species; (4) widespread fen, wet, shade-intolerant species; (5) widespread bog or fen, shade-tolerant species; (6) widespread subcontinental and oceanic, bog or fen, shade-intolerant species; (7) eastern subcontinental and oceanic, poor fen preferential species; (8) western oceanic, bog and poor fen preferential, shade-intolerant species. Response surfaces were generated by quantifying the frequency of occurrence of representative species in each group along pH and height above the water table, shade and mean annual temperature, and mean annual total precipitation gradients. Frequency of occurrence values for several of the rarer species indicated that they were not limited by the number of suitable habitats analyzed in this study but by other factors such as competition, failure to establish, or dispersal. This study emphasizes the importance of habitat and climate in determining the local and regional diversity and distribution of the most common Cyperaceae on peatlands in Canada.Key words: sedges, Carex, peat lands, response surfaces, climate, water chemistry.

The decrease of rich fen bryophytes in The Netherlands

1992 ◽  
Vol 59 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 139-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Kooijman
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Rich Fen

Development of Sphagnum-dominated peatlands in boreal continental Canada

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kuhry ◽  
Barbara J. Nicholson ◽  
L. Dennis Gignac ◽  
Dale H. Vitt ◽  
Suzanne E. Bayley
Keyword(s):  
Water Table ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Peat Accumulation ◽  
General Direction ◽  
Rich Fen ◽  
Middle Holocene ◽  
Sphagnum Peat ◽  
Poor Fen ◽  
Peatland Development

Peat cores from five Sphagnum-dominated peatlands in boreal continental Canada were analyzed for plant macro fossils. Results indicate that peatland development was influenced both by local autogenic and regional climatic factors. The general direction in peatland development from rich fen to poor fen to bog can primarily be ascribed to internal processes, especially peat accumulation. Quantitative paleoenvironmental reconstructions based on fossil moss assemblages indicate that all five peatlands were initially dominated by brown mosses with inferred pHs of approximately 6.0, and a water table at 5–15 cm below the surface of the peatland. Subsequently, Sphagnum-dominated peatlands developed with pHs of 4.0–4.5 and a water table at 15–30 cm of depth. Chemical factors triggered a rapid transition from rich fen (pH > 6) to poor fen and bog (Ph < 5). The two most southerly peatlands are youngest, with basal dates of 4670 BP and 4230 BP. Sphagnum peat accumulation at these sites started at 2620 BP and 1790 BP, respectively. Two sites located at intermediate latitudes have basal dates of > 5140 BP and 5020 BP, while the development of Sphagnum-dominated ecosystems dates back to ≈ 3100 BP and 3710 BP, respectively. The most northerly site has the oldest basal date (> 7870 BP), and the oldest date for the initiation of Sphagnum peat accumulation (≈ 7000 BP). The younger age of the peat deposits in the four southern sites is due to warm and dry climatic conditions during the middle Holocene that prevented peatland development until after 6000 BP when the climate gradually became cooler and moister. Farther north the climate was cool and moist enough to allow peatland development during the early to middle Holocene. In three southern peatlands, the development into a Sphagnum-dominated ecosystem took > 2000 years, while at the more northerly sites Sphagnum became dominant after < 1500 years. Key words: Sphagnum, peatlands, boreal, Holocene, climate.

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