ABSTRACT
Peatlands are an important group of wetlands characterized by the presence of an organic soil, typically to some minimum depth. Two main types of peatlands are often differentiated, ombrotrophic peatlands, or bogs, that are mainly isolated from groundwater influence, and minerotrophic peatlands, or fens, that are recipient to groundwater that has flowed through mineral soil or bedrock. Correlations between groundwater characteristics and the bryophyte and vascular plant communities will be interpreted to examine vegetation–groundwater relationships across a broad range of peatland types. The influence of mineral rich groundwater on peatland floristics and classification has long been recognized and it would be expected that such groundwater variables as pH, calcium, magnesium, and Kcorr would show the largest differences between peatland types. The vegetation–groundwater relationship reflects the strong influence of mineral enrichment in structuring vegetation composition in peatlands.
