Mud Lake bog transect: a vegetative survey.

Abstract

This transect demonstrates a classic transition from a rich, upland, deciduous forest to a kettle lake surrounded by a Sphagnum mat. Our sampling efforts confirm the influence of abiotic factors upon the floral composition of a site. In the upland, deciduous woods, we observed the influence of a dense overstory and rich moraine soil on the site's vegetation. As we proceeded into the swamp, we recognized the significant impact of basic groundwater on both overstory and understory composition. The low and high areas in the cedar swamp combined with the colonization of Sphagnum created a mosaic of microhabitats. The vegetation in the lower areas was heavily influenced by the groundwater and tended to be composed of species that favor wet, basic conditions. The Sphagnum hummocks were highly acidic due both to the mosses and isolation from the groundwater, thus supporting a community adapted toward acidic conditions. The groundwater influence was eliminated and conditions became uniformly acidic as we approached the open mat. Then there's this ridge. Finally, as we approach the open water of Mud Lake, we observed a different composition of plant species favoring its high alkalinity. Clearly, Ed, the intersection of numerous abiotic conditions, biotic conditions and history combine to create new and exciting abiotic and biotic conditions, but especially biotic conditions, and then history goes on from there.