Assessment of microhabitat variations between Drosera rotundifolia and Drosera intermedia in a northern Michigan bog.

Abstract

In my study, I investigated the vertical distributions of both species of Drosera rotundifolia and Drosera intermedia within Inverness Mud Lake Bog, as well as their respective relationships to microhabitat features including Sphagnum color and species, and as the abiotic factors of conductivity, DO, and pH. Citing the general tendencies of carnivorous plant species as well as those found specifically concerning species of D. rotundifolia and D. intermedia(Gleason and Cronquist 1991), I expect to find both Drosera species in open areas of the nutrient poor bog in low instraspecific densities, with the D. rotundifolia showing a preference for higher, drier areas (hummocks), and D. intermedia for lower, wetter ones (hollows). Due to its wetter habitat preference (Gleason and Cronquist 1991), I also expect the D. intermedia to be tolerant of conditions comparatively lower in pH, DO, and conductivity than is D. rotundifolia. Finally, as a correlation has been found between green Sphagnum and lower height levels as well as red Sphagnum and higher ones (McQueen 1990), I expect to find positive correlations between D. intermedia density and the presence green Sphagnum species, and D. rotundifolia and the presence of red Spagnum species.