Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The vegatation, surface water chemistry and peat chemistry of moderate-rich fens in central Alberta, Canada

  • Published:
Wetlands Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The non-forested fens of the Athabasca area in central Alberta, Canada are characterized by their surface water and peat chemistry. Correlations between vegetation and chemical gradients are examined. The primary vegetation gradient is from stands dominated byDrepanocladus vernicosus, Meesiatriquetra, Menyanthes trifoliata, andCarex chordorrhiza to those dominated byBrachythecium mildeanum, Drepanocladus aduncus, Carex aquatilis, andDrepanocladus polycarpus. This vegetation gradient reflects a chemical gradient of increasing pH, magnesium, sodium, sulphur, organic nitrogen, and phosphorus in the fen water and increasing magnesium, iron, and phosphorus in the fen peats. Potassium and sodium in the fen peats show a decreasing trend along the vegetation gradient. A second gradient from shrub-moss vegetation to sedge-moss vegetation is significantly correlated with microtopography and an increase in nitrate content in the spring (May) waters. The fen waters in this study are in the 5.3–7.1 pH range, with specific conductance of 18–240μS. The calcium contents of the waters averages 19.5–22.1 mg/l and that of magnesium averages 4.3–5.3 mg/l in spring and fall, respectively. The subsurface fen peats are characterized by mean calcium contents of 17,426 mg/kg and magnesium contents of 1,719 mg/kg. Organic nitrogen, nitrate, and ammonium content in the spring and fall waters average 1,967–2,395 μg/l, 3.1–9.8 μg/l, and 16.8–88.9 μg/l, respectively.

A review of peatland literature suggests that the Athabasca fens are classified as moderate-rich fens. The chemical contents of the fen waters and fen peats are intermediate between those of poor fens and extreme-rich fens that previously have been described. Common rich fen species, such asTomenthypnum nitens, Bryum pseudotriquetrum Campylium stellatum, andCalliergon giganteum, are present. In addition, characteristic species of these moderate-rich fens includeDrepanocladus vernicosus, D. aduncus, D. polycarpus, andBrachythecium mildeanum. These species are believed to be characteristic of moderaterich fens in continental, boreal areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Anonymous. 1969. Atlas of Alberta. University of Alberta Press, Edmonton, in association with University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada.

  • Anonymous. 1982. Canadian climate normals. Volume 6. 1951–1980. Environment Canada, Atmospheric Environment Service, Publication of the Canadian Climate Program, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

  • Anonymous. 1984. Climate of Alberta. Report for 1984. Environment Canada, Atmospheric Environment Service and the Alberta Govemment, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

  • Allington, K.R. 1961. The bogs of central Labrador-Ungava; an examination of their physical characteristics. Geografiska. Annaler (Stockholm) 43: 401–417.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellamy, D.J. 1968. An ecological approach to the classification of European mires. p. 74–79.In Proceedings of the 3rd International Peat Congress, Quebec, Canada, August 18–23, 1968.

  • Bomeuf, D. 1973., Hydrology of the Tawatinaw area, Alberta. Alberta Research Council Report 72-11, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

  • Bradis, E.M. and T.L. Andrienko. 1972. Bogs of the Ukrainian S.S.R. p. 49–57.In Proceedings of the 4th International Peat Congress, Otanicmi, Finland, Jun. 25–30, 1972, 1.

  • Cajander, A.K. 1913. Studien Über die Moore Finnlands. Acta Forestalia Fennica 2: 1–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J.D. 1972. Coal occurrences, Athabasca-Smith area, Alberta. Research Council of Alberta Report 72-10, Edmonton Alberia, Canada.

  • Chee, W.L. 1988. The vegetation, water chemistry and peat chemistry of fens in the Lesser Slave-Athabasca area, and their relationships to other peatland types in Alberta, Canada. M.S. Dissertation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Comeau, P.L. and D.J. Bellamy 1986. An ecological interpretation of mire waters from selected sites in eastern Canada. Canadian Journal of Botany 64: 2576–2581.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dansereau, P. and F. Segadas-Vianna. 1952. Ecological study of the peat bogs of eastern North America. I. Structure and evolution of vegetation. Canadian Journal of Botany 30: 490–520.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daubenmire, R.F. 1959. A canopy coverage method of vegetation analysis. Northwest Scientist 33: 43–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daubenmire, R.F. 1968. Plant Communities: A Textbook of Plant Synecology. Harper and Rowe, New York, NY. USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Elia, C.F 1976. Determination of total nitrogen in aqueous samples using persulfate digestion. Limnology and Oceanography 22: 760–764.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DuRietz, G.E. 1949. Huvudenheter och huvugranser isvensk myrvegetition. Svenska Botaniska Tidskrift 43: 274–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurola, S. 1962. Über die Regionale Einteilung der Südfinnischen Moore. Annales Botanici Societatis Zoologicae Botanicae Fennicae ‘Vanamo’ 33(2): 1–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Feniak, M. 1944. Athabasca-Barrhead map area, Alberta. Geological Survey of Canada Paper 44–6, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

  • Fox, D.J. and K.E. Guire. 1976. Documentation for MIDAS (3rd edition). Publication of Statistical Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauthier, R. and M.M. Grandtner. 1975. Etude phytosociologique des tourbieres du Bas Saint-Laurent, Québec, Naturaliste Canadien 102: 109–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorham, E. 1967. Some chemical aspects of wetland ecology. p. 20–38.In Technical Memorandum, National Research Council of Canada Associate Committee on Geotechnical Research, No. 90.

  • Hale, M.E. and W.L. Culberson. 1970. A fourth checklist of the lichens of the continental United States and Canada. The Bryologist 74: 499–543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Härkönen, K. 1985. Classification of peatlands for forest drainage and growth: A pilot study in northcentral Alberta. M.S. Dissertation. Department of Forest Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heikurainen, L. 1979. Peatland classification in Finland and its utilization for forestry. p. 135–146.In Proceedings of the Intemational Symposium on Classification of Peats and Peatlands, Hyytiälä, Finland, September 17–21, 1979.

  • Hill, M.O. 1979a. TWINSPAN — a FORTRAN program for arranging multivariate data in an ordered two-way table by classification of individuals and attributes. Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, M.O. 1979b. DECORANA — a FORTRAN program for detrended correspondence analysis and reciprocal averaging. Ecology and Systematics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horton, D.G., D.H. Vitt, and N.G. Slack. 1979. Habitats of circumboreal-subarctic Sphagna. I. A quantitative analysis and review of species in the Caribou Mountains, northerm Alberta. Canadian Journal of Botany 57: 2283–2317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ireland, R.R. 1982. Moss Flora of the Maritime Provinces. National Museum of Canada Publication in Botany, no. 13, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

  • Jean, M. and A. Bouchard. 1987. La végétation de deux tourbières de la municipalité regionale de comté du Haut-Saint-Laurent (Québec). Canadian Journal of Botany 65: 1969–1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeglum, J.K., A.N. Boissoneau, and V.F. Haavisto. 1974. Toward a wetland classification for Ontario. Department of Environment, Canadian Forestry Service Information Report 0-X-215, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.

  • Karlin, E.F. and L.C. Bliss. 1984. Variation in substrate chemistry along microtopographical and water chemistry gradients in peatlands. Canadian Journal of Botany 62: 142–152.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kulczynski, M.S. 1949. Peat bogs of Polesie. Mémoires de l’Académie Polonaise des Sciences et des Lettres, Classe des Sciences Mathématiques et Naturelles, Série B: Sciences Naturelles, No. 15.

  • Lausi, D. and P.L. Nimis. 1986. Roadside vegetation in boreal south Yukon and adjacent Alaska. Phytocoenologia 13: 103–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Longton, R.E. 1974. Genecological differentiation in bryophytes. Journal Hattori Botanical Laboratory 38: 49–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mäkitalo, A. 1985. Tree growth in relation to site characteristics on selected peatland sites in central Alberta. M.S. Dissertation, Department of Forest Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malmer, N. 1965. The southem mires. p. 149–158.In The Plant Cover of Sweden. Acta Phytogeographica Suecica 50.

  • Malmer, N. 1986. Vegetational gradients in relation to environmental conditions in northwestern European mires. Canadian Journal of Botany 64: 375–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, P.D. and D.J. Bellamy. 1974. Peatlands. Springer-Verlag, New York, NY, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moss, E.H. 1983. Flora of Alberta. (2nd edition, revised by J.G. Packer). University of toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, B.J. 1987. Peat paleoecology and peat chemistry at Mariana Lakes, Alberta. M.S. Dissertation, Department of Botany, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyholm, E. 1954–1969. Illustrated moss flora of Fennoscandia. II. Musci. Gleerups, Lund and Swedish Natural Science Research Council, Stockholm, Sweden.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Connell, M., J.B. Ryan, and B.A. MacGowan. 1984. Wetland communities in Ireland: A phytosociological review. p. 303–364.In P.D. Moore, (ed.) European Mires. Academic Press, London, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orlóci, L. and N. Kenkel. 1985. Introduction to Data Analysis with Examples from Population and Community Ecology. International Co-operative Publishing House, Fairland, MD, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pakarinen, P. 1979. Ecological indicators and species groups of bryophytes in boreal peatlands. p. 121–134.In Proceedings of the International Symposium on Classification of Peat and Peatlands, Hyytiälä, Finland, September 17–21, 1979.

  • Persson, A. 1961. Mire and spring vegetation in an area north of Lake Tometräsk, Tome Lappmark, Sweden. I. Description of the vegetation. Opera Botanica 6(1): 1–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Persson, A. 1962. Mire and spring vegetation in an area north of Lake Tometräsk, Tome Lappmark, Sweden. II. Habitat conditions. Opera Botanica 6(1): 1–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollett, F.C. 1972. Classification of peatlands, Newfoundland. p. 101–120.In Proceedings of the 4th International Peat Contress, Helsinki, 1972, 1.

  • Prest, V.K. 1969. Retreat of Wisconsin and recent ice in North America. Geological Survey of Canada, map 1257A, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

  • Radforth, N.W. 1952. Suggested classification of muskeg for the engineer. Engineering Journal 35: 1199–1210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Railton, J.B. and J.H. Sparling. 1973. Preliminary studies on the ecology of palsa mounds in northern Ontario. Canadian Journal of Botany 51: 1037–1044.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, A. 1984. Guide to wetland ecosystems of the sub-boreal spruce a zone, Cariboo Forest Region, British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Research Branch, Range Management Branch, Mimeo, Botany Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, J.S. 1972. Forest Regions of Canada. Department of Environment, Canadian Forestry Service Publication No. 1300, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

  • Ruuhijärvi, R. 1960. Über die Regionale Einteilung der Nordfinnischen Moore. Annales Botanici Societatis Zoologicae Botanicae Fennicae ‘Vanamo’ 31(1): 1–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwintzer, C.R. 1981. Vegetation and nutrient status of northern Michigan bogs and conifer swamps with a comparison to fens. Canadian Journal of Botany 59: 842–853.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segadas-Vianna, F. 1955. Ecological study of peat bogs of eastern North America. II. TheChamaedaphne calyculata community in Quebec and Ontario. Canadian Journal of Botany 33: 647–684.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sjörs, H. 1948. Myrvegetation i Bergslagen. Acta Phytogeographica Suecica 21: 1–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sjörs, H. 1950. Regional studies in North Swedish mire vegetation. Botaniska Notiser 1950: 173–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sjörs, H. 1952. On the relation between vegetation and electrolytes in north Swedish mire waters. Oikos 2(1950): 241–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sjörs, H. 1961. Forest and peatland at Hawley Lake, northern Ontario. National Muscum of Canada Bulletin 171: 1–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sjörs, H. 1963. Bogs and fens on the Attawapiskat River, northern Ontario. National Museum of Canada Bulletin 186, Contributions to Botany, 1960–1961, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

  • Sjörs, H. 1983. Mires of Sweden. p. 69–94.In A.J.P. Gore (ed.) Ecosystems of the World. Mires: Swamp, Bog, Fen and Moor. 4B. Regional Studies. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slack, N.G., D.H. Vitt, and D.G. Horton. 1980. Vegetation gradients of minerotrophically rich fens in western Alberta. Canadian Journal of Botany 58: 330–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonesson, M. 1970. Studies on mire vegetation in the Tometräsk area, northern Sweden. IV. Some habitat conditions of the poor mires. Botaniska Notiser 123: 67–111.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stotler, R. and B. Crandall-Stotler. 1977. A checklist of liverworts and hornworts of North America. The Bryologist 80: 405–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strickland, J.D.H. and T.R. Parsons. 1968. A manual of seawater analysis, 2nd edition. Fisheries Research Board Canada Bull. No. 168. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

  • Strong, W. 1984. Below ground ecology of boreal forests in the Hondo-Lesser Slave Lake area, Alberta. Ph. D. Dissertation, Department of Botany, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamocai, C. 1970. Classification of peat landforms in Manitoba. Canada Department of Agriculture Research Station, Pedological Unit, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolpa, S. and E. Gorham. 1961. The ionic composition of waters from three Polish bogs. Journal of Ecology 49: 127–133.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vitt, D.H., P. Achuff, and R.E. Andrus. 1975. The vegetation and chemical properties of patterned fens in the Swan Hills, north central Alberta. Canadian Journal of Botany 53: 2776–2795.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vitt, D.H. and N.G. Slack. 1975. An analysis of the vegetation ofSphagnum-dominated kettle-hole bogs in relation to environmental gradients. Canadian Journal of Botany 53: 332–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitt, D.H., M. Glime, and C. LaFarge-England. 1986. Bryophyte vegetation and habitat gradients of montanc streams in western Canada. Hikobia 9: 367–385.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogill, R.I.G. 1978. Hydrogeology of the Lesser Slave Lake area, Alberta. Alberta Research Council report 77-1, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

  • Waughman, G.J. and D.J. Bellamy. 1980. Nitrogen fixation and the nitrogen balance in peatlands. Ecology 61: 1185–1198.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walter, H. and H. Lieth. 1960. Klimadiagram Weltatlas. Fischer, Jena, GDR.

  • Weatherburn, M.W. 1967. Phenolhypochlorite reaction for determination of ammonia. Analytical Chemistry 39: 971.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wells, E.D. 1981. Peatlands of castem Newfoundland: Distribution, morphology, vegetation and nutrient status. Canadian Journal of Botany 59: 1978–1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, K.A. and A.H. Fitter. 1984. The role of phosphorus in vegetational differentiation in a small valley mire. Journal of Ecology 72: 463–473.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yefimov, V.N. and Z.S. Yefimova. 1973. Chemical composition of bog water in the northwestern part of the european U.S.S.R. Pocvovedeniye 11: 27–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zoltai, S.C. and J.D. Johnson. 1985. Development of a treed bog island in a minerotrophic fen. Canadian Journal of Botany 63: 1076–1085.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zoltai, S.C. and F.C. Pollett. 1983. Wetlands in Canada: Their classification, distribution and use. p. 245–268.In A.G.P. Gore (ed.). Ecosystems of the World. Mires: Swamp, Bog, Fen and Moor. 4B. Regional Studies. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zoltai, S.C., F.C. Pollett, J.K. Jeglum, and G.D. Adams. 1973. Developing a wetland classification for Canada. p. 497–511.In B. Bernier and C.H. Winget (eds.) Proceedings of the 4th North American Forest Soils Conference, Quebec, 1973.

  • Zoltai, S.C. 1988. Wetland Environments and classification. p. 3–26.In National Wetlands Working Group (eds.) Wetlands of Canada. Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zoltai, S.C., S. Taylor, J.K. Jeglum, G.F. Mills, and J.D. Johnson 1988.In. National Wetlands Working Group (eds.) Wetlands of Canada. Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Wai -Lin Chee

    Present address: , 48 Unsworth Avenue, M5M 3C5, Toronto, ON

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, The University of Alberta, T6G 2E9, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Wai -Lin Chee & Dale H. Vitt

Authors
  1. Wai -Lin Chee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dale H. Vitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chee, W.L., Vitt, D.H. The vegatation, surface water chemistry and peat chemistry of moderate-rich fens in central Alberta, Canada. Wetlands 9, 227–261 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03160747

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03160747

Key Words

Search

Navigation