Relationships between bryophyte production and substrate properties in restored milled peatlands |
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| Authors: | Anna‐Helena Purre Mati Ilomets |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Narva Road 29, Tallinn, Estonia;2. Institute of Ecology, Tallinn University, Uus‐Sadama 5, Tallinn, Estonia |
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| Abstract: | The relationship between the small‐scale distribution pattern of bryophyte biomass on restored milled peatlands and substrate properties (e.g. moisture, pH, nutrients, and their ratios) was studied. Substrate properties may determine the species composition of bryophyte communities that have developed in such areas. Two experimental sites were established in northern Estonia where the moss‐layer‐transfer technique had been used for the revegetation of abandoned peatfields for almost a decade before sampling. Diaspores of Sphagnum species common on bogs were distributed in these sites. After 7 years one site was mainly dominated by Sphagnum whereas true mosses (Polytrichum strictum, Aulacomnium palustre, and Pleurozium schreberi) were abundant in the other site. Three moss groups were distinguished: Sphagnum, P. strictum, and other mosses based on cluster analysis. The biomass of Sphagnum was related to peat moisture and potassium content. For P. strictum the N/K ratio was important, and the production of A. palustre grew with the increase in the N/P ratio of peat. It was concluded that peat properties played an important role in the formation and development of bryophyte communities on revegetated peatfields on a small scale (<0.1 ha). |
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| Keywords: | biomass moss moss‐layer transfer nutrients peat restoration |
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