Patterns of Picea mariana (Black spruce) growth and raised bog development in Victory Basin, Vermont

In Victory Basin Bog, Vermont, a distinct zonation of Picea mariana (black spruce) occurs from an adjacent stream to the bog center, typifying a pattern in bogs throughout the boreal region. Height and density of P. mariana decrease toward the bog center, but age does not. The growth rate of P. mari...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 1991-10, Vol.118 (4), p.399-411
Main Author: Bubier, J.L. (University of Vermont, Burlington, VT)
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Biological and medical sciences
BOGS
COMMUNAUTE VEGETALE
COMUNIDADES VEGETALES
Demecology
ECOLOGIA FORESTAL
ECOLOGIE FORESTIERE
FOREST ECOLOGY
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
GROWTH RATE
INDICE DE CRECIMIENTO
MARAIS
Peat
Peatlands
PICEA MARIANA
PLANT COMMUNITIES
Plant growth
PLANT POPULATION
Plants and fungi
POBLACION VEGETAL
POPULATION VEGETALE
Silts
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
Streams
Surface water
TAUX DE CROISSANCE
Tree growth
TREMEDAL
Vegetation
VERMONT
Water tables
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Summary:In Victory Basin Bog, Vermont, a distinct zonation of Picea mariana (black spruce) occurs from an adjacent stream to the bog center, typifying a pattern in bogs throughout the boreal region. Height and density of P. mariana decrease toward the bog center, but age does not. The growth rate of P. mariana is greatest near the stream and declines away from it. This gradient in the heights of P. mariana accompanies a decrease in the mineral content of bog water toward the ombrotrophic bog center and an associated gradient in plant community composition. Raised bog development and stream incision appear responsible for the bog's elevated and sloping water table. Well data indicate that the slope and seasonal fluctuations of the water table are greater below the faster growing P. mariana than below the stunted P. mariana and open bog areas. Since a minimum of 5 m of peat underlie the entire study area, tree growth rates cannot be influenced by access to nutrients from the underlying mineral substrate. Peat stratigraphy suggests lateral bog expansion and stream migration since peatland initiation in post-glacial times. The dynamic interaction between peatland and stream processes continues to influence patterns of P. mariana growth and stream migration.
ISSN:0040-9618
2325-8055
DOI:10.2307/2997092