The annual growth period of some Sphagnum species on the Silver Flowe National Nature Reserve,south-west Scotland

Abstract

The length of the annual growing season of five Sphagnum species was investigated on the Silver Flowe N.N.R. It ranged from five to six months for S. papillosum and S. magellanicum through approximately seven and ten months for S. capillifolium and S. auriculatum var. inundatum to twleve months for S. cuspidatum A mechanism of hollow and pool enlargement is proposed.