ECOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE PEAT BOGS OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA: I. STRUCTURE AND EVOLUTION OF VEGETATION

Abstract

It is attempted to clearly distinguish between bogs on the one hand and swamps and marshes on the other. The principal elements and factors are listed in Eastern North America where bogs are frequent. This first paper attempts a general outline of the dynamics of bog vegetation in this region and describes the structures of the communities involved. The biotope is considered the smallest piece in the association mosaic and its physical and biological aspects are emphasized. Two recent systems (Küchler's and Dansereau's) are applied to individualize the most important and widespread synecological units. Further studies involving climatic relationships on a geographical scale and phytosociological measurements at the quadrat level will permit a refocusing of some of the phenomena which are described and interpreted here.