Hydrology and nutrient gradients in North Carolina peatlands

摘要: Soil chemistry and hydrology gradients are closely associated with have often been cited as the causative agents for changes in wetland plant community composition. We analyzed biogeochemistry of three freshwater peatland communities on North Carolina Coastal Plain—short pocosins, tall gum swamps. compare this gradient to classical bog-fen northern peatlands. Short ombrotrophic center raised bog complex, highest summer water table, a large part peat profile remaining anaerobic throughout year. They highly nutrient-deficient low levels total extractable P, N, basic cations. additionally greatest depth, an organic matter content ca. 95%. Tall pocosins seasonal shallower soil nutrient levels, average from 76 93% top 30 cm. Gum swamp forests table shallowest depth. most minerotrophic community, based high N P soil, but exchangeable Ca Mg percent base saturation. All had pH (<4). were effectively differentiated by depth not characteristics, while forest differences hydrology, matter, nutrients.